Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter Frank Woodford, a horse keeper, born 1862 in Chale, Isle of Wight, Hants., and his wife Emily Woodford (nee Mew, married on the 10th December 1891 in Chale, Isle of Wight, Hants.), born 1871 in Chale, Isle of Wight, Hants. Courtney Frank was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Chale, Isle of Wight, Hants., and was baptised on the 1st July 1894 in Chale, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, in March 1901 the family home was at Blythes, Chale, Isle of Wight, Hants. In April 1911 Courtney was employed as a groom and house boy and was residing as a servant at 320, Burton Road, Derby.
On Friday June 25th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” The following casualties in the 4th and 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from General Headquarters and the Base:- OFFICER WOUNDED. 4th Battalion. Dyer-Bennet, Capt. and Adjutant R.S. KILLED. 4th Battalion. Baker, 2533, Lance-Corpl. T. G. 5th Battalion. Beadman, 2566, Private C.T. Clarke, 1956. Private D. Keeling, 3038, Private T.G. WOUNDED. 4th Battalion. Jones, 2593, Lance-Corporal G.J. Shipman, 1280, Lance-Corporal W. Walker, 2346, Private H. 5th Battalion. Dakin, 2173, Private E. Lord, 1474, Private S.D. Minckley, 1776, Lance-Corporal G. YEOMANRY AND TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. The week-end official lists of casualties contain the following:- LEICESTERSHIRE YEOMANRY. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING, NOW REPORTED KILLED. Corah, 1471, Private E. Lucas, 1848, Private J.J. Steer, 2144, Private W.J. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING, NOW REPORTED NOT MISSING. Peberdy, Private T. WOUNDED. Phipps, 2115, Private J. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. 5th Battalion (T.F.). KILLED. Nadin, Sergt. T.W. WOUNDED. Pepper, Private B. Williamson, Private J.H. The following casualties in the 4th Battalion (T.F.) Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base, under date 5th June:- KILLED. Hargreave, 3399, Private H. WOUNDED. Woodford, 2844, Private C.F.
The Leicester Mercury of Monday 2nd April 1917 carried the following entry in the in memoriam announcements: WOODFORD - In loving memory of Corporal Courtney Frank Woodford, 1/4th Leicester Regiment, killed by a sniper April 2nd 1916. He bravely answered duty's call; His life he gave for one and all. From his loving Sweetheart, Ethel.
The War Diary for today records, the Battn were at CAMBLAIN L’ABBE and were relieved by 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT, relief completed by 10.30pm. Coys marched home seperately, last Coy arriving at the huts at 4.00am 3rd July. Out for 6 days rest. Major F. E. F-?- took over command of the 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT temporarily.