Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Woodford, a railway signalman, born 1870 in Willoughby on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire and his wife Georgina Woodford (nee Alexander, married in the 4th quarter of 1895 in the Basford, Nottinghamshire district), born 1868 in Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire. Bertram John was born in the 1st quarter of 1897 in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire, and baptised on the 21st January 1897 in St. Mary Magdalene’s Church, Hucknall Torkard, he had a half blood sibling, Lucy Alexander, born 1893 in Calne Wiltshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 72, Merchant Street, Nottingham. In April 1911 Bertram was employed as a grocer’s assistant and was residing in the family home at The Green, Old Dalby, Leicestershire, together with his father, a railway signalman, his mother and sibling Douglas Edward, a schoolboy, born 1903 in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, also residing in the family home was Bertram’s widowed paternal Grandmother, Jemima Woodford, born 1845 in Willoughby on the Wolds. Bertram was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 24 Mar-18 - ERVILLERS. Quiet day. 3.00 to 4.00 pm ERVILLERS shelled. 6.30 pm. Relief came in. 9.00 pm. Bombing and shelling started. 10.00 pm. Hostile attack developed on our left forcing back SUFFOLK REGIMENT and MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. Germans broke through and lined MORY – ERVILLERS ROAD enfilading the whole of our line. Battalion Headquarters formed up facing road and “A” Company counter-attacked. German machine gun fire so heavy that “A” Company could make little progress owing to heavy casualties. They eventually formed a line facing MORY – ERVILLERS ROAD. Held the German attack up from there. During their attack Corporal HILL and 2 men rushed a German machine gun killing an officer and bayoneting 5 men. 11.30 to 12.00 pm “A” Company held its line, but all attempts to reinforce and send up small arms ammunition failed owing to very heavy machine gun fire.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “OLD DALBY.” – A MISSING SOLDIER. – In a recent issue we published a request for information concerning Lance-Cpl. B. J. Woodford, Signal Section, Leicestershire Regt. The following letter has been received in response: “Dear Gunner Farthing, - It has fallen to me the task of replying to your inquiry respecting L/Cpl. Woodford. The most particulars that can be given are that he was posted missing on 25/3/18, and from reports there is good ground for belief that he is well and a prisoner in German hands. Of course any definite information that is received will be communicated to his next of kin immediately on receipt. I would like to add that we all miss him very much. He was liked immensely by the men of whom he was in charge, and also by his officers and senior N.C.O.’s. Yours faithfully. Edward T. Hollands, C.Q.M.S.”
On Friday May 24th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – OFFICIAL LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Wednesday’s lists included:- Missing: Leicestershire Regt. – Fendell, 28072 J. F. (Melton Mowbray). Main, 241096 L.-Cpl J. H. (Melton Mowbray). Needham, 40710 V. A. (Bottesford). Ridley, 7975 C. (Syston). Seaton, 23763 L. (Syston). Spiby, 241014 Cpl. T. W. (Melton Mowbray). Talbot, 40724 H. J. (Thrussington). Taylor, 25813 Cpl. J. E. (Barkby). Taylor, 28042 A. G. (Thurmaston). Toon, 25932 A. (Waltham). Woodford, 240756 L.-Cpl. B. G. (Melton Mowbray). Northumberland Fusiliers – Simpson, 24067 F. (Wymeswold). Sherwood Foresters – Simpson, 87693 D. (Melton Mowbray.