Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Woodward, a stone quarry worker, born 1864 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and his wife Amy Jane Woodward (nee Slater, married on the 17th June 1886 in All Saint’s Church, Narborough, Leicestershire), born 1867 in Shawell, Leicestershire. William Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 in Huncote, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Emma, born 1887, Bertha Amy, born 1889 and Margaret, born 1896, all his siblings were born in Huncote, in March 1901 the family home was at Hall House, Huncote. In the 2nd quarter of 1909 William’s widowed father married Edith Hannah Jayes in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. In April 1911 William was employed as a web trade worker and was residing in the family home at Huncote, together with his father, a quarry trade blocker, his step mother Edith, born 16th August 1874 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and his siblings, Emma, a Griswold knitter, John Thomas, a concrete works labourer, born 30th May 1893 in Huncote, his half blood sibling, Blanche Elizabeth Woodward, born 1904 in Huncote and his step siblings, Edith Alice Jayes, a hosiery trade worker, born 1895 in Enderby, Leicestershire, Eva May Jayes, a schoolgirl, born 1900 and John William Jayes, born 20th May 1901, the latter two step siblings were both born in Huncote. William also had an older brother, George A., born 5th May 1892 in Huncote. William’s father died in September 1927 in Blaby, Leicestershire aged 63, in 1939 his widowed stepmother was residing in the family home at 10, Brook Street, Huncote.
William’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Dorsetshire Regiment, being allotted the service number 34249, and was posted as a Private to the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France some time after the 31st December 1915. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 11 Aug-18 – REF. FRANCE Sheet 66e N.E.
[1] The Battalion bivouacked on the night of the 10/11th on L.24 central.
[2] Orders were issued that the Battalion was to capture and hold DAMERY WOOD, DAMERY VILLAGE and join 5/6th ROYAL SCOTS at L.35.b.8.2.
[3] “D” Company was ordered to assemble in the British Front Line and capture the BOIS D’AMERY.
The remaining three Companies were ordered to assemble behind the ridge at LE QUESNOY. On reconnaissance it was found possible to get forward to assembly positions in the old British Support Line East of BOIS DU SUD under cover.
“C” Company were ordered to attack DAMERY VILLAGE frontally.
“A” Company were ordered to attack from the North West.
“B” Company were ordered to push through BOIS MILIEU and establish communication with 5/6th ROYAL SCOTS at the wood in L.35.3.
[4] At 9.20am the Officers Commanding “A,” “B” and “C” Companies were pointed out their objectives by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel H. D. THWAITES.
[5] At 9.30am the barrage opened and the Companies went forward over the parapet.
[6] As soon as the first man got over, very heavy Machine Gun fire opened from the direction of PARVILLERS and casualties were caused whilst going through dense wire in front of assembly position.
[7] “D” Company on preliminary reconnaissance found that BOIS EN EQUERRE was occupied by the LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS and so pushed forward to a trench on the Western side of the wood. At 10.00am the Company moved forward through the wood gained touch with the French in the wood just East of BOIS EN EQUERRE and proceeded forward, leaving one platoon in reserve in a quarry in R.3.b. The Company then moved forward with two platoons in the Front Line and in support with orders to follow 100 yards in rear. About this time the platoon commander of the support platoon was mortally wounded and the two leading platoons went forward without support.
[8] At 10.32am when the barrage lifted, the Company was about 200 yards South West of the village and the enemy was seen to be running away from the wood. As touch could not be got with the left and as the right appeared to be clear the Company changed direction North East and went direct for the village.
About 10.40am two tanks came forward from BOIS EN EQUERRE and with their assistance the Company were able to get within 100 yards of the village where they were held up by Machine Gun fire from the flanks especially from the direction of BOIS Z and just North West of the village. At this time the support and reserve platoons were ordered forward to assist but it was found impossible to get into the village and it was decided to consolidate with two platoons in the front line in rifle pits and about 150 yards West of the village and two platoons in support in the old communication trench.
[9] As soon as consolidation was complete, patrols were sent forward into the village and to try and find the Company on the left.
The patrol in the village captured a heavy Machine Gun and over 4 prisoners, but communication could not be established with the left owing to the heavy Machine Gun fire.
About 7.30pm these dispositions had to be altered as the enemy pushed forward several Machine Guns South West of the village. The line occupied was roughly along the grid line from R.4 central to L.34.d.0.0 communicating with the French about R.4 central. As events turned out during the night had this Company attempted to hold its original position they would probably have been cut off.
About 10.30pm the enemy counter attacked the French and part of the attack involved our right flank and was successfully beaten off by Lewis Guns and rifle fire.
[10] “C” Company advanced from BOIS SUD and all officers with the exception of one were casualties early on during the operations. This officer lost direction and got towards BOIS MILIEU. This Company had 100 casualties and the remainder of the Company joined “A” and “B” Companies on the left.
[11] “A” Company advanced with their left flank on BOIS MILEU and did not suffer many casualties until they were clear of the barbed wire when it was found necessary to reinforce with the two support platoons and reorganise as two platoons. The right platoon advanced towards DAMERY with their left on the track from BOIS MILEU to DAMERY and the left platoon kept touch advancing on the right of the track. It was impossible to get in touch with the right and the Company on the left were held up about 100 yards West of MILEU WOOD. The enemy were attempting to envelope the right and there was heavy Machine Gun fire from BOIS MILEU on the left. It was found impossible to move forward and it was decided to consolidate the trench about 100 yards West of BOIS MILEU. Lewis Guns were pushed out on the flanks and withdrew to this line.
About 1130pm artillery support was called for on the right of BOIS MILEU but was not forthcoming, the artillery firing into the village instead of the wood. It is possible that had the artillery support been obtained the wood might have been taken.
[12] “B” Company got through the barbed wire with few casualties but suffered severely afterwards. The two leading platoons got right up to BOIS MILEU when it was necessary to bring up the two supporting platoons.
It was decided to send half the Company through the wood and half North of it. Rapid fire was opened by half the Company into the wood whilst the other half Company advanced North of it. They succeeded in getting to the North East edge of the wood without suffering very heavily. The other half Company then advanced and succeeded in getting half way through the wood but were hung up by fire chiefly from PARVILLERS. As communication could not be obtained with the flanks and casualties were heavy the Company was withdrawn to trench about L.34.a.9.2. Here communication was established with “A” Company on the right. About 11.15am as it was impossible to go forward and this trench was untenable the Company was withdrawn to a trench about 200 yards West of BOIS MILEU (This must be the trench shown on the map as running through L.34.a but is shown as too far away from the wood.)
[13] Reinforcements were asked for and 1 Company of 2nd MANCHESTER REGIMENT were sent up to get touch with 5/6th ROYAL SCOTS and our left flank. This was successfully carried out. 1 Company of the 15th HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY was sent up to reinforce “D” Company and established communication with the Companies about BOIS MILEU but communication was not established.
[14] On handing over, “D” Company was in touch with the French on the road about R.4.b.0.2 and extended to about R.4.a.8.9 with two platoons in support behind this line. The HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY were in a trench running North East from about R.3.d.3.3 for about 50 yards. A composite Company 1st DORSET REGIMENT held the trench from about L.34.a.1.8 to L.28.c.1.3. 2nd MANCHESTER REGIMENT joined from this point to the right of 5/6th ROYAL SCOTS.
The casualties in this battle were very heavy.
Officers Killed:-
2nd Lieutenant H. A. FORD. M.C. Lieutenant E. M. F. LAW. 2nd Lieutenant C. J. TIDDY. Lieutenant H. S. WOOD. M.C. 2nd Lieutenant F. H. ANDREWS. M.C. M.M.
Lieutenant F. J. B. COWLEY. Lieutenant K. S. COURTNEY.
Officers Wounded:-
Acting Captain G. L. BAKER (Missing). 2nd Lieutenant D. R. OLIVER.
2nd Lieutenant A. J. GEDYE. 2nd Lieutenant E. A. CUNNINGHAM. 2nd Lieutenant J. F. PAIN.
2nd Lieutenant G. WALL. 2nd Lieutenant J. H. AIREY D.C.M.
Other Ranks:-
Killed:- 26.
Missing:- 42.
Wounded:- 240.
Wounded (Gas):- 1.
The following letters related to the Battalion were received from the Divisional and Brigade Generals respectively.
Copy
32nd Division No. G.S. 1857/3/4.
Address all branches of the Division.
On conclusion of the first phase of the operations in which the Division had taken part during the past few days, the Divisional Commander wishes to thank all ranks for the energy, endurance and courage shown both in the approach march to the battle front and in the two days hard fighting which followed. The Corps Commander, Canadian Corps, has expressed his appreciation of the gallantry shown by all ranks in the difficult task which was given them. The fact that the strongly entrenched and heavily wired position was reached and entered all along the line and was broken through on at least half of the Divisional front may well be remembered with pride by all ranks of the Division. The rapidity with which the artillery was brought up and the boldness with which it was handled in action, deserves the highest praise. The collection and evacuation of the wounded was admirably carried out by the Medical Services and stretcher bearers. The work done by all branches of transport during the long marches and during the operations contributed largely to the success of the Division.
12th August 1918. Signed A. E. McNamara Lt. Col. General Staff. 32nd Division.
14th Infantry Brigade N. G.500
12th August 1918
O.C. 1st Dorset Regt.
I wish to express my admiration of the gallantry and devotion to duty shown by the 5/6th Royal Scots, 1st Dorset Regt. and “A” Company 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps in the attack on the 11th.
No time was available for reconnaissance, the frontage of attack was wide, and in view of the recent rapid advance the ammunition supply limited. The strength with which the position would be held could not be foretold but the advantage to be gained by an immediate attack were that a large force of the enemy were in danger of being completely surrounded and the gaining of the ridges overlooking ROYE would probably have affected this.
Although this object was not achieved the result achieved was one to be proud of. The 14th Brigade attacking on a wide front drove the enemy heavily reinforced with Machine Guns back out of a considerable slice of carefully organised defences and handed over intact to another Division a parting in the enemy defences clear of the thick wire of old “No man’s land.”
This result will materially advance future operations. The loss of many valuable lives is deeply to be regretted, but they have not been lost without result.
The 5/6th Royal Scots, the 1st Dorset Regt., and “A” Company 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps have good cause for pride in the action fought on 11th August, and the admiration of those of us in the Brigade who took no active share in the fighting is both deep and sincere.
Signed L. P. Evans Brigadier General. 14th Infantry Brigade.