Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Woodcock, a farm labourer, born 1859 in Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire and his wife Emma Woodcock (nee Johnson, married in the 2nd quarter of 1883 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Denton, Lincolnshire. Thomas Edward was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Thorpe Arnold, his siblings were, Fred, a farm day boy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1887, Jane Ann, born 1888, Florence, born 1891, Elsie, born 1893, Albert, born 1898 and James, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Thorpe Arnold, also residing in the family home was Thomas’s widowed maternal Grandmother, Jane Clayton, born 1825 in Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Glen Farm, Thorpe Arnold. In April 1911 Thomas was absent from the family home at Thorpe Arnold, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Albert, a general farm worker, James, a schoolboy, Bertie, born 1904, Edith Caroline, born 1906, Horace, born 1909 and Georgina Mary, born 1911, the latter four siblings were all born in Thorpe Arnold, Thomas was employed as a farm labourer and was residing as a boarder at Pickarias Lodge, Brentingby, Leicestershire. Thomas also had the following elder siblings, Ann, born 1885 and Rachel, born 1886, both were born in Thorpe Arnold. His elder brother Fred also fell in action.
Thomas attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 9th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years 103 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his place of residence as Stonesby, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Thomas Woodcock and his mother Emma Woodcock, both of South Bank, Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8½ inches in height, weighed 141 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 34½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. His physical development was described as normal. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 9th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 15937 on the 9/11/14. 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. Reported missing believed wounded, in the field on the 14/7/16. Confirmed killed in action on the 14/7/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service 9/11/14 – 28/7/15 262 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 29/7/15 – 14/7/16 352 days. Total service 1 year 248 days. Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Thomas’s mother Emma Woodcock on the -?- 1919, and was witnessed and signed by W. L. Lander, Clerk in Holy Orders, Thorpe Arnold Vicarage, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Thomas Woodcock of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Emma Woodcock of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Albert Woodcock, age 21, James Woodcock, age 19 and Bertie Woodcock, age 15 all of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Rachel Woodcock, age 33 of Syston. Florence Driscoll, age 28 of Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Jane Ann Lea, age 30 of Humberstone, Leicester. Elsie Whitfield, age 25 of Weston Favell, Nottinghamshire. Edith Woodcock, age 13 of Weston Favell, Nottinghamshire and Georgina Woodcock, age 8 of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Thomas’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.
And in the same edition under the heading: “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION. – Pte. E. J. Woodcock, son of Mr. Edward Woodcock, of Thorpe Arnold, aged 19 years. He answered his country’s call.
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.