Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Woodcock, a farm cowman, born 1852 in Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, and who was the son of Edward and Sarah Woodcock and his wife Emma Woodcock (nee Morris, married in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Leesthorpe, Leicestershire. Ernest James was born in the 2nd quarter of 1897 in Thorpe Arnold, his siblings were, George, a groom, born 1885, Violet Rose, born 1891, Ethel, born 1893, Daisy, born 1894 and Arthur, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Thorpe Arnold, also residing in the family home was Ernest’s paternal Uncle, James Woodcock, a warehouse man, born 1866 in Thorpe Arnold, in March 1901 the family home was at Glen Farm, Thorpe Arnold. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a farm worker and was residing in the family home at Thorpe Arnold, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, George, a farm cowman and Arthur, a schoolboy, also residing in the family home was Ernest’s Nephew, Donald McLean Woodcock, a schoolboy, born 1903 in Thorpe Arnold and his paternal Uncle, James Woodcock, a farm labourer. Ernest had the following additional siblings, Elizabeth, born 1877, Thomas, born 1881 and Mary Ann, born 1883, the latter three siblings were born in Thorpe Arnold and John Edward, born 1879 in Melton Mowbray.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 12th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 242 days and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He gave his home address as Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Edward Woodcock and his brother George Woodcock, both of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10½ inches in height, weighed 143 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 12th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 15987 on the 13/11/14. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/11/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Killed in action, place not stated on the 14/7/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service 12/11/14 – 28/7/15, 259 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 29/7/15 – 14/7/16, 352 days. Total service 1 year 245 days. Ernest was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Ernest’s father Edward Woodcock on the 20th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by James Pacey, J.P. County of Leicester, The Limes, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Edward Woodcock of 9, Goodriche Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, J. E. Woodcock, age 40 of Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray. T. Woodcock, age 38 of 7, Flax Road, Belgrave, Leicester. G. Woodcock, age 34 of 9, Goodriche Street, Melton Mowbray. A. Woodcock, age 20 of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Farr, age 36 of Tilton Lodge, near Billesdon, Leicestershire. Ada Gunby, age 32 of 29, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray. Violet Freeman, age 30 of 18, Sudbury Avenue, Melton Mowbray. Ethel Scattergood, age 26 of Tilton on the Hill, Leicestershire. Daisy Potter, age 24 of Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - MAMETZ WOOD. ATTACK ON BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and village by the 110th Brigade. The Battalion was drawn up for the assault in four lines. The first three lines were in front of MAMETZ WOOD and were to move forward in succession at ZERO, the first line to take, clear and hold the German first line, the remainder to push on to capture and consolidate the FOREST TRENCH (enemy support line). The fourth line were drawn up behind the north edge of MAMETZ WOOD to move forward half an hour after ZERO, and push forward through FOREST TRENCH ready to assault the German third line. By 2.55am all dispositions were made, each platoon being on its correct adjustment. A number of casualties were suffered during this operation, one platoon of “C” Company losing almost half its number. The men behaved admirably under trying conditions. At ZERO 3.25am when the barrage lifted our first line trench was hardly close enough to it to rush the first line before the enemy could man it, as a result the advance was rather ragged. The right (“A”) Company in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had little difficulty in entering the trench. The left (“D”) Company were momentarily held up by machine gun fire but managed to keep up close to the parapet and rush the line. The two centre (“B” and “C”) Companies were held up for about 20 minutes by machine guns. The pressure was relieved by parties from the right working down a flank. The centre Companies were then able to rush the trench. The second and third lines coming on, swept the remainder of the first line then, and made for the second line (FOREST TRENCH). By this time of the officers of “B” Company only 2nd Lieutenant EVANS was left, in “C” Company only 2nd Lieutenant REED, while in “D” Company all the officers were out of action. The enemy in the first line trench at first made some resistance but many were caught in their dug outs, and the rest seeing that they could not stop our rush retreated into the WOOD and made no resistance in the FOREST TRENCH. By 4.00am our whole line was in occupation of FOREST TRENCH and the work of consolidation was begun. Captain A. A. CLARKE taking command. 2nd Lieutenant EVANS then sent back Company Sergeant Major GEARY to ensure that the German first line was cleared of the enemy. This N.C.O. with his party found a number of the enemy who had been passed over in the rush. In the meantime the left Company (“D”) after pushing on too eagerly under our barrage and being forced to retire, turned towards the flank and established connection with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT At 4.25am Captain A. A. CLARKE, leaving 2nd Lieutenant EVANS in charge of the first trench, went forward in charge of the party to capture the third objective. No resistance was met with on the right, but on the left considerable trouble was caused by a machine gun and by snipers and close by the observation post in the tree both Captain CLARKE and Lieutenant WAKEFORD were hit. This left the assaulting line without an officer, but Sergeant WALKER (“A” Company) and Lance Sergeant SHERLOCK (“C” Company) rallied their men and made good this line. There was no German trench in this position and in some cases the men again pressed forward and came under fire from our own barrage. Meanwhile the left (“D” Company) being checked by the machine gun on the crest of the wood and being unable to make headway were rallied by Lance Corporal BUSH, and an attempt was made to get round the position on the right, with the result that this party lost direction in the wood and finally found itself among the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Lance Corporal BUSH then placed himself under the orders of an officer of that Battalion. Almost before the barrage lifted, the party under Sergeant WALKER rushed the German trench on the north side of the wood. The enemy made no resistance here and being caught between the barrage of shell fire and our advancing line gave themselves up. By 6.45am we were established in the line on North edge of the wood. Subsequently officers of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT bringing up supports took over command of this sector. About 7.15am Captain GWYTHER was commanding the Battalion, ordered 2nd Lieutenant EVANS to push forward from FOREST TRENCH in support of the front line, on reaching the position selected for the strong point on the RAILWAY, this party came under machine gun fire from the north west corner of the wood, 2nd Lieutenant EVANS took up the line covering the strong point and prepared for reconnaissance. The position therefore at 8.00am was:- Northern edge of the wood held by us. Possession of the North West corner doubtful. Line of RAILWAY and strong point secured by us. Throughout the morning the enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment with 150mm Howitzers and a few 77mm’s, which grew in intensity about midday and during the afternoon. About 1.00pm it was believed that the Germans were still holding the entire edge of the wood at the North Western corner and an assaulting party of the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised to clear them out. The bushes and trees were very thick round this point which necessarily made progress slow, the enemy evacuating and manning a trench about 30 yards from the wood, before our men could get through we suffered several casualties from a machine gun in the above mentioned trench. An attempt was made about 9 o clock to reorganise the Battalion, as they were considerably mixed up, most of the officers becoming casualties. Lieutenant Colonel DRYSDALE was wounded whilst the Battalion was marching to its position in front of MAMETZ WOOD, Captain and Adjutant A. A. ALDWORTH taking command. Captain’s WRIGHT, GIFFORD, Lieutenant’s. BURNETT, HOLLIS, ABBOTT and 2nd Lieutenant’s. NEWTON, GUTTERIDGE and BAIN being all killed before our troops reached the first line. 2nd Lieutenant PICKERING-CLARKE, SIMPSON and REID also Lieutenant WAKEFORD were killed in the wood. The wounded officers were Captain A. A. CLARKE, Lieutenant HOUGHTON and 2nd Lieutenant’s. THOMPSON, WEBB and ORRIT-NICHOL. Our total casualties were 18 officers and 535 men killed and wounded. Our men along with the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT manned the trenches at the edge of the wood and remained there until next morning. The night was quick.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THORPE ARNOLD CASUALTIES. – TWO COUSINS REPORTED KILLED. Mr. Edward Woodcock, of Thorpe Arnold and in the employ of Mr. J. A. Scorrer at Melton Mowbray, has received a letter from his nephew, Pte. Fred Woodcock, informing him that his son, Pte. Ernest Woodcock, had been blown up by a shell and instantly killed. Deceased, who has recently turned 19 years of age, was only 17 when he enlisted on the outbreak of the war. Pte. Fred Woodcock is himself now lying in hospital in Manchester. A shell blew him up as high as the top of a tree, and he dropped down on to his ankle, injuring his foot. The news respecting Pte. Ernest Woodcock’s death is confirmed by a letter which Mr. Cragg, of Thorpe Arnold has received from his son, who also states that Pte. Thomas Woodcock, son of Mr. Thomas Woodcock, senr., and brother of Pte. Fred Woodcock, has been killed. Another brother, Driver Albert Woodcock is serving in the Royal Naval Division Engineers. Mr. Edward Woodcock has also two other sons with the colours, viz, Driver Arthur Woodcock, aged 17 who enlisted in the Royal Naval Division Engineers at the same time as his cousin Albert, and Pte. George Woodcock. The latter has been in hospital for a considerable time, and has now come home to assist Mr. Scorrer with hay making.
On Friday August 11th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THE LATE PRIVATE E. J. WOODCOCK. We reported in a recent issue that Pte. E. J. Woodcock was reported killed. His father, Mr. Ed. Woodcock, Thorpe Arnold, has now received a letter from the Commanding Officer, informing him that his son was killed on the 12th July. His death will be greatly felt by a large circle of friends. He was of a quiet disposition, and was highly respected. He was a member of the Thorpe Arnold Church choir and had been out to France just twelve months, and was expecting his seven days leave. His letters were always of a cheerful character, and he was proud to think he had answered his country’s call. The greatest sympathy is extended to the bereaved father and relatives. Last Wednesday morning Mr. Woodcock received official confirmation from the War Office, but so far nothing further has been heard concerning deceased’s cousin Pte. Thomas Woodcock, who was unofficially reported killed at the same time, except that he was missing at the roll call.
And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. Ed. Woodcock, Thorpe Arnold, and family, wish to thank their very numerous friends for letters of sympathy which they have received concerning the death of Pte. E. J. Woodcock, of the – Leicesters, who was killed in action on July 12th, 1916, aged 19 years. We will sadly miss our brother. Who fought for England’s sake. But comfort comes with that one thought. Duty he did not shirk. From Father, Brothers and Sisters.