Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Thomas Woolman, a shoe trade rivetter, born on the 25th October 1859 in All Saint’s, Leicester (son of William Thomas Woolman, 1838 and Eleanor Nichols, 1834) and his wife Maria Woolman (nee Richards, married in the October quarter of 1883 in Leicester), born in the April quarter of 1861 at 3, Olive Hill, All Saint’s, Leicester (daughter of Thomas Richards, 1829 and Ann Headley, 1826). Harry, a schoolboy, was born in the July quarter of 1887 in Belgrave and baptised on the 27th February 1890 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester, his half-blood siblings were, Florence Richards, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1879 in Leicester, Ellen Richards, a schoolgirl, born in 1882 in Rothley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 27th February 1890 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester, and siblings, Thomas, a schoolboy, born on the 25th January 1884 and baptised on the 27th February 1890 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester and Maria, born on the 25th July 1889 and baptised on the 27th February 1890 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, also residing with the family was Harry’s widowed paternal grandmother, Ellen Woolman, a factory worker, born 1834 in Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Harrington Street, Belgrave, St. Michael & All Angels, Leicester.
In March 1901 Harry was employed as a boot trade laster and was residing in the family home at 60, Garden Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire, together with his father, a boot trade clicker, his mother and siblings, Ellen, an elastic trade worker, Thomas, Maria, Jessie Lily, born on the 12th January 1892, Margaret, born on the 14th January 1894, Louisa, born on the 6th May 1896 and William Thomas, born in the July quarter of 1899 and baptised on the 7th September 1902 in the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Glen Parva, Leicestershire, the latter four siblings were all born in South Wigston.
In April 1911 Harry was employed as a boot trade heel scourer and was residing in the family home at 60, Garden Street, South Wigston, together with his father, a tin washer, his mother and siblings, James Arthur, a schoolboy, born on the 24th August 1904 in South Wigston and baptised on the 8th August 1909 in the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Glen Parva, William, Maria, a hosiery trade griswold knitter, Jessie, a hosiery trade griswold knitter, Margaret, a hosiery machinist and Louisa, a hosiery trade machinist.
Harry enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 2nd September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 11492. He gave his place of birth as Belgrave, Leicester and age as 27 years 30 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as 60, Garden Street, South Wigston.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 2nd September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Belgrave, Leicester, declared age as 27 years 30 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 156 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 37 and 40 inches, his physical development was described as good, pulse rate, 70, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at [not recorded] on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 11492.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as [not recorded], height 5-feet 6 inches weight 156 lbs, chest measurement of between 37 and 40 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 2nd September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, William Thomas, mother Maria, 60 Garden Street, South Wigston. Brothers 3 (1 o 2 y). Sisters 6 (2 o 4 y), 60, Garden Street, South Wigston.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 2/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/9/14.
Posted. To 8th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. “A” Company. Pte. 24/9/14.
Discharged. Para 392 III C King’s Regulations. Not likely to become an efficient soldier. 15/10/14.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/9/14 – 15/10/14. 44 days.
Total Service. 44 days.
Harry enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 18th February 1916 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 23495. He gave his age as 28 years 7 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as 60, Garden Street, South Wigston, Leicester.
He confirmed that he had not previously served in any branch of His Majesty’s Forces, naval or military.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Glen Parva on the 18th February 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Belgrave, Leicestershire, declared age as 28 years 7 months, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 7¼ inches in height, weighed 168 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6. L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Glen Parva on the 18th February 1916. Joined on enlistment South Staffordshire Regt. Regimental No. 23495.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 28 years 7 months, height 5-feet 7¼ inches and chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas William Woolman, 60, Garden Street, South Wigston.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 18/2/16.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 19/2/16.
Mobilised. 29/3/16.
Posted. 29/3/16.
Joined. 3rd Bn. South Staffordshire Regt. “A” Labour Company. Pte. 1/4/16.
Discharged. Para 392 (iii) (c) King’s Regulations. Not likely to become an efficient soldier on medical grounds. 14/7/16.
Proceedings on Discharge.
(When forwarded for confirmation the documents named on page 4 should be enclosed.)
No. 23496. Army Rank: Private.
Name: Harry Woolman.
(The name must agree strictly with that on enlistment, unless changed subsequently by authority.)
Corps: South Staffordshire Regt.
Battalion, Battery, Company, Depot, &c: “A” Labour Company, 3rd South Staffordshire Regt.
(If attached to the Regular Establishment of the Special Reserve or Permanent Staff of the Territorial Force, &c., or to General Staff of the Army, it should be so stated.)
Date of discharge: 14th July 1916.
Place of discharge: Porth camp, Ripon.
[1] Description at time of discharge.
Age: 29 years 3 months.
Height: 5-feet 7 inches.
Chest measurement:
girth when fully expanded 38 ins.
range of expansion 2½ ins.
Complexion: Dark.
Eyes: Brown.
Hair: Dark Brown.
Trade: Shoe hand.
Intended place of residence: 60, Garden Street, South Wigston, Leicester.
(To be given as fully as practicable)
(The measurements and description should be carefully taken on the day the man leaves his unit, but in the case of men sent home from abroad for discharge, the age and intended place of residence should be left blank to be filled in by the Officer who confirms the discharge at home.)
[2] The above-named man is discharged in consequence of: Para 392 (iii)(c) King’s Regulations. Not likely to become an efficient soldier on medical grounds.
(The cause of discharge must be worded as prescribed in the King’s Regulations and to be identical with that on the discharge certificate. If discharged by superior authority, the No. and date of the letter to be quoted.)
[3] Military character: Good.
[4] Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: I have always found him honest, sober, industrious and attentive to his duties.
To be filled in on the soldier quitting the Colours.
(Certified that the above is an accurate copy of the character given by me on Army Form B.2067* and that Army Form D.489 was awarded in this case.
W.H.
Initials of Commanding Officer
Degree of Disablement: 30%
Harry died on the 13th February 1919 from heart disease.
[recognitum VIII-II-MMXXIV]