Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Woodcock a shoe trade finisher, born 1872 in Normanton, Yorkshire and his wife Ada Woodcock (nee Smith, married in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1874 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Charles Frederick (Fred) was born in the 4th quarter of 1895 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Annie Mabel, born 1896, Harry, born 1897 and Frank, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 13, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray. Charles’s mother died in the 3rd quarter of 1909 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, aged 35. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at 13, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his widowed father, a tanner, and his siblings, Mabel, a housekeeper, Harry, a shoe trade worker, Frank, a schoolboy, Kate, a schoolgirl, born 1903, Nellie, a schoolgirl, born 1904, Edith, a schoolgirl, born 1906, Walter, born 1907 and Ada, born 1909, the latter five siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray. Charles was employed as a grocer’s assistant and was residing at 2, Generous Britain Yard, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of his widowed maternal Grandmother, Susanna Randell, a laundress, born 1838 in Melton Mowbray and his maternal Aunt, Elizabeth Ann Smith, a shop assistant, born 1861 in Melton Mowbray.
Charles attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 15th September 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of residence as 1, Paynes Court, Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 20 years and 38 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 138 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. He was show to have been posted to Leicester on the 1/3/16, and then posted to Partington on the 4/3/16. Nothing further exists of his service records, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history. Charles was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 13 Aug-16 – TRENCHES. Very quick except for small Trench Mortar bombs fired on 94 trench; they were silenced by our Stokes.
On Friday August 25th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTONIANS KILLED. - PTE. C. F. WOODCOCK. Another young Meltonian who has lost his life at the front is 25819 Pte. Charles Frederick Woodcock, of the – Leicestershire Regt. Deceased who was only 20 years of age, was employed in the engineer’s department at the Midland Station, Melton Mowbray, and had previously worked at Pearks and Bell’s Stores. He was a son of Mr. Samuel Woodcock, 13, Sidney-st., Melton, but had lived nearly all of his life with his grandmother, Mrs. Randall, in Leicester-st. He was educated at the British School, and was much liked by all his friends. Pte. Woodcock was called up with his group on the 1st March this year, and after less than five months training he sailed for France on the night of July 20th, having just previously visited Melton on his final leave, so that he had only been in France three weeks, and in the trenches a few days before meeting with his sad end. In a letter which he wrote just previously to his fiancée, deceased said: “I can tell you it is not all honey, for I have had a few narrow escapes already, but still that is nothing to what it will be, I expect. Tell – I am quite all right, but I shall be glad when it is over, and we all get back to civil life again.” The news of his death was conveyed to his grandmother in the following letter from his officer:- - -th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, B.E.F., France. Aug. 15th, 1916. My dear Mrs. Randall, - It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your grandson, Pte. F. Woodcock. He died doing his duty on Sunday afternoon. My fellow officers, N.C.O.’s, and the men of the company join with me in expressing to you their deepest sympathies in your sorrow, and trust that God, the great comforter of us all, will grant you comfort in these dark days. His death was instantaneous, and he suffered no pain. He was given a Christian burial yesterday. Once again please accept our deepest sympathies, very sincerely yours, Cyril G. Scarfe, 2nd Lieut.” On Wednesday Mrs. Randall received the following further letter from Second-Lieut. St. J. Hodson:- “I very much regret having to write to inform you of the death of your grandson. He was killed in action on the afternoon of August 13th by a German trench mortar bomb. It landed close to where he and another man were standing, killing them both immediately. The force of the explosion was very great, and their bodies were flung some distance. His body was taken out of the trenches the same evening and buried. Our brigade chaplain will probably be able to tell you where his grave is located. I must assure you that his loss will be deeply felt in this company, and that we all pray that God will lighten the burden placed on you by his death.” And in the same issue under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. WOODCOCK. – In fond and loving memory of Private F. Woodcock, Leicestershire Regt. (the beloved grandson of Mrs. Randall, Leicester-st., Melton Mowbray), killed in action August 13th, 1916. A bitter grief, a shock severe. To part with one I loved so dear. My loss is great, I’ll not complain. But hope in heaven to meet again. From his loving Grannie.
On Friday September 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTON CASUALTIES. THE LATE C. F. WOODCOCK. Mrs. Randell, Leicester-st., has received some further particulars relating to the death of her grandson, Pte. C. F. Woodcock, of the --- Leicesters. Second Lieut. Cecil G. Scarfe writes as follows:- “B.E.F. August 26th, 1916. My dear Mrs. Randell, - I have received your letter of the 21st inst., and it is with mixed feelings that I have to pen a reply. I purposely refrained from giving you particulars of your grandson’s death, not knowing what effect the news of his death would have on you. Now I know that you are another of our true British -?-, and as you especially ask to know his end, though I fear the shock to you will be great, I will tell you. During the bombardment of our line by the enemy, your grandson was blown up by a shell, I need give you no further details! You will realise at once that none of his personal belongings could be found. I trust that this will not give you too great a shock, at your old age, and I trust that God will sustain and comfort you in the closing stages of your spell here on earth, knowing that your grandson did his duty like a man and a British soldier. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.” Please accept my greatest sympathy for your sorrow, and greatest admiration for your bravery. I am your very sincerely – Cyril G. Scarfe, 2nd Lieut.”
The Chaplain has also written as follows:- “21st August 1916. Dear Mrs. Randell. You will already have heard the sad news of your grandson’s death. 25819, Pte. F. Woodcock was killed in action on the 13th Aug., 1916. I write to offer you my sincerest sympathy, and to tell you he was buried with military honours in a British soldiers’ cemetery at noon on August 16th, by the side of other brave men who have given their lives for their country. His battalion have placed a wooden cross over his grave bearing his name and battalion, and the date of his death. We out here understand how great is the sacrifice made by all the bereaved ones at home – greater even than the great sacrifice of the men themselves. May our Heavenly Father, who gave his only Son to die that we might live forever in his Eternal Home of Rest and Peace and Joy bless and console you, and give you strength to bear your great sorrow. I am yours sincerely. Hugh F. Sawbridge C.F.” Deceased’s brother Pte. H. Woodcock, of the Leicestershire Territorial’s has been home this week on leave from Ireland. He was slightly wounded in the arm during the Dublin riots.
On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. WOODCOCK.- In ever loving memory of my dear grandson, Pte. Fred Woodcock, 7th Leicester’s, who was killed in action in France August 13th 1916, aged 20 years. A day sad to recall. In the bloom of life, death claimed him. In the pride of his manhood days. None knew him but to love him. None spoke his name but with praise. We little thought when he said goodbye. He had gone to a far off land to die. His heart was good, his spirit brave. He is laid to rest in a soldier’s grave. Yet again we hope to meet him. When our days on earth are fled. And in heaven we hope to greet him. Where no farewell tears are shed. From his loving Grannie Randell, Aunt Lizzie, and Hettie. Leicester Place, Melton Mowbray.
On Friday August 16th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. WOODCOCK. – In ever loving memory of my dear grandson, Pte. Fred Woodcock, 7th Leicester’s, who was killed in action in France, August 13th, 1916, aged 20 years.
He is gone, but not forgotten.
And, as dawns another year.
In our lonely hours of thinking.
Thoughts of him are always near.
Yet again we hope to meet him.
When our days on earth are fled.
And in Heaven we hope to greet him.
Where no farewell tears are shed.
From his Granny Randell, brother Harry in France, and all who loved him.