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South Staffordshire Regt. 1st/5th


fitz_merc

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I have posted some basic information on here about soldiers who are related to the students I am taking to the Western Front on the 14 October.  

 

I have had some unbelievable information from very generous experts on this site.   Can anyone wave their magic over the following individual:

 

The following soldier William Ewart Woodhouse 24491 of the South Staffordshire Regiment.  1st/5th.  He died on the 3 October 1918 and is buried at Cerisy-Gailly.

 

 

Mike

 

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5 minutes ago, fitz_merc said:

I The following soldier William Ewart Woodhouse 24491 of the South Staffordshire Regiment.  1st/5th.  He died on the 3 October 1918 and is buried at Cerisy-Gailly.

 

 

Mike

 

B. Cradley Heath, Staffs. 1895. 
Enl. Brierly Hill. 
Aged. 23. Killed in Action, Serving with 1/5th T.F. Battalion. 
Son of Albert and Hannah. Old Hill, Staffs. Husband of Alice Melinda. 44 New St. Quarry Bank, Staffs. 

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28 minutes ago, fitz_merc said:

Thank you - didnt realise he was married

His Medal Index Card shows no date for entering a theatre of war.  Looking at near numbers suggests he was called up in late March- early April 1916.

Frederick W. Roulston. 24486 attested.11/12/195, and was mobilized/joined 2/4/916 (He appears on an overseas hospital admission list 19/12/1917).  George Luther. 24495 joined 31/3/1916  -  George O. Aston. 24498 joined 4/4/1916  (Imprisoned as a Conscientious Objector).  

Edited by GWF1967
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William was born on 30 Dec 94 in Cradley Heath to Albert William Woodhouse and his wife Hanna, nee Perks. He became a baker's assistant and started his military service on 12 Jan 12 when he enlisted as a boy into the RN. He was trained at HMS Ganges II, then based at Shotley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ganges_(shore_establishment).

Nevertheless, William left the service that April when his father bought him out of the RN for £10. The reason is unknown.

WOODHOUSE.JPG.b8e1b3216b1442bf944b0651c6149965.JPG

UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939, via Ancestry.

Acknown

Edited by Acknown
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William's personal effects were sent to his widow:

599303698_WOODHOUSE2.JPG.26b933d47664d8fe4551320a52c6e1a1.JPG

UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 via Ancestry, which shows that he was employed as a signaller in 1/5th Staffs.

Acknown

Edited by Acknown
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A baker's assistant, naval boy  and Signaller.  

I even know his height and chest measurements- who needs a Service Record!!

 

Many thanks

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William's wife Alice was born on 11 Jul 95, nee Dunn. She married William in Jan 15. In 1939, she was living alone at 44 New Street, Brierley, seemingly she had not remarried. 

The War Diary of the 1/5th S Staffs (within the 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade of the 46th (North Midland) Division) for the period in which William was killed can be downloaded for free here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14055300. You will see that the battalion was involved in a dawn attack at LEVERGIES that day, an element of the Battle of Beaurevoir (03 – 05 Oct 18). It is reasonable to assume that William was killed or fatally wounded during the day.

Acknown

Edited by Acknown
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That is a new battle for me.  I shall look at the War Diary.  His cemetery was used by the  Stationary Hospital on site - so that would support yiour point that he was wounded and died soon after.

Thank you

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He may well have been involved in the famous crossing of the St. Quentin canal and the breaking of the Hindenburg line a few days before his death. A visit to the canal between Riqueval bridge and Bellenglise would be well worth your time. The best places to see it are either from the canal bank at Bellenglise near where 1/5 South Staffs attacked, or at Riqueval where 1/6 North Staffs  got across. There is also the famous picture of the Staffordshire brigade on the canal bank at Riqueval after their success. This is widely available and makes a good “visual aid”( in old money). He will be somewhere in this, if he hadn’t already been wounded. 
Richard (ex history teacher)

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Thanks Richard. Wonderfully explained 

I will find this picture.

 

Thank you

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5 hours ago, fitz_merc said:

Thanks Richard. Wonderfully explained 

I will find this picture.

 

Thank you

I agree with Richard and recommend a visit to Riqueval, which hasn’t changed a great deal (apart from trees on the bank) and so is very relatable to young viewers.  I participated in a battlefield study/staff ride with a party of international staff officers (NATO and Old Commonwealth) from HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and all became deeply thoughtful after discussing and surveying the scene.  In the photo below the GOC is addressing his men from the parapet of the bridge on the left (which still stands and is accessible for your students).  You can read about the action here: https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/2018/october-2018/commemorating-the-attack-on-riqueval-bridge-one-of-the-greatest-battles-fought-by-the-british-army/

The following thread refers: 

Also see: 

BB6581E6-4480-4D91-AFA4-A57550AACF2D.jpeg.504bb5a01a2de7095cdc572508a46df5.jpeg

E5E8DEB2-C6D2-4996-B08A-06E3CDD93753.jpeg

 

Edited by FROGSMILE
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Mike

I have a brief account of the part played by 1/5 South Staffordshire regiment  in crossing the canal. If you pm your email address, I’ll forward it to you

Richard

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Well once again I feel honoured to be part of this wonderful group.  Its ability to find useful information to support my trip and to share it so willingly is wonderful. 

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Widow's pension card

image.png.06512d1b3b3a067f592b23da9256c1ae.png

Image thanks to WFA/Fold3

She got the standard widow's £5 grant [for funeral/mourning expenses - so perhaps worth looking out for a local newspaper private announcement, ometimes with photo] and a 13/9 pw pension [standard for a private's widow under 45 without children]

M

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