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 shepherd, 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. Fred was born in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in Thorpe Arnold, his siblings were, Ann, born 1885, Rachel, born 1886, Jane Ann, born 1888 and Florence, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Thorpe Arnold, in April 1891 the family home was at Thorpe Arnold. In March 1901 Fred was employed as a farm day boy and was residing in the family home at Glen Farm, Thorpe Arnold, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Jane, Florence, Elsie, born 1893, Thomas Edward, born in the 3rd quarter of 1895, Albert, born 1898 and James, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Thorpe Arnold, also residing in the family home was Fred’s widowed maternal Grandmother, Jane Clayton, born 1825 in Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Fred was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Back Street, Rearsby, Leicestershire together with his wife Mary Adeline Woodcock, (nee Dewick, married on the 11th February 1907 in the Parish Church, Rearsby, Leicestershire) born 1887 in Thrussington, Leicestershire and their children, Florence Annie, born 8th July 1907, Thomas Arthur, born 21st December1908 and Frederick George, born 7th January 1911, all the children were born in Rearsby. Another child, a daughter, Winifred Mabel, was born 25th July 1913 in Rearsby. In the 2nd quarter of 1919 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Fred’s widow married Horace Spratt. Fred also had the following younger siblings, Bertie, born 1904, Edith Caroline, born 1906, Horace, born 1909 and Georgina Mary, born 1911, they were all born in Thorpe Arnold. His younger brother Thomas Edward also fell.
Fred 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 27 years and 246 days and his trade or calling as wagoner. He gave his place of residence as Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Mary Adeline Woodcock, his father Thomas Woodcock and his mother Emma Woodcock, all of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 156 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 38 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. His physical development was described as normal. He gave his religion as Church of England. 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 15940 on the 12/11/14. 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. Posted to the Depot on the 15/1/16. Forfeits 2 days pay for absence from 4 pm until 4 pm on the 15/5/16 (24 hours) on the 7/6/16. Wounded in action on the 14/7/16. Admitted to 60th Field Ambulance suffering from shell shock on the 14/7/16. Admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station on the 14/7/16. Admitted to No.1 General Hospital Rouen on the 17/7/16. Posted to the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/8/16. Posted 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 4/9/16. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 13/9/16. Joined 12th Infantry Brigade on the 14/9/16. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 15/9/16. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 17/10/16. Charged with being dirty on sick parade and awarded 168 hours Field Punishment No.2 on the 7/2/17. Charged with neglect of duty while on sentry, awarded three extra guards on the 19/4/17. Killed in action on the 22/3/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service 9/11/14 – 28/7/15, 262 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 29/7/15 – 17/7/16, 354 days. Home Service 18/7/16 – 13/9/16, 58 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 14/9/16 – 22/3/18, 1 year 190 days. Total Service 3 years 134 days. Fred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. His widow and four children were awarded a weekly pension of 33 shillings and 9 pence to commence on the 21st October 1918. The following information was provided by Fred’s wife Mary Adeline Spratt on the 21st November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by George Hassall, Clerk in Holy Orders, Rearsby Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Wife of soldier, Mary Adeline Spratt (have since remarried) of Rearsby, Nr. Leicester. Children of soldier, Florence Annie Woodcock, born July 8th 1907, Thomas Arthur Woodcock, born December 21st 1908, Frederick George Woodcock, born January 7th 1911 and Winifred Mabel Woodcock, born July 25th 1913, all of Rearsby, Nr. Leicester. 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 22, James Woodcock, age 22 and Bertie Woodcock, age 15 all of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Rachel Woodcock, age 34 of Syston, Nr. Leicester, Jane Ann Lea, age 31 of Leicester, Florence Driscoll, age 29 of Beeston, Nr. Nottingham, Elsie Whitfield, age 26, Edith Woodcock, age 13 and Georgina Woodcock, age 8, all of Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray. Fred’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.
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.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - During the night the enemy rushed forward his field and heavy guns and in the early morning he opened an intense bombardment of the RED LINE, PEIZIERE and the YELLOW LINE, under a heavy barrage he attacked the RED LINE but was driven off. 10.00am. About this hour news was received that the enemy had captured ST. EMILIE and the southern edge of EPEHY and the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had been ordered to form a defensive flank on the EPEHY – SAULCOURT ROAD, to combine with this and to cover the right rear of PEIZIERE a second defensive flank facing south was made with every available man from Battalion HQ between YELLOW SUPPORT LINE and CHAUFOURS WOOD. 11.00am. As it was seen that the enemy were entering EPEHY in force from the south the two Tanks were ordered forward to check his advance and if possible clear EPEHY. The enemy retired on seeing their approach, and they report having inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately they were running short of petrol and as the engines required repairs they were unable to proceed further and attempting to withdraw to SAULCOURT both were knocked out. 12.00 noon. About this hour orders were received to withdraw the Battalion behind to BROWN LINE and concentrate at LONGAVENES. 12.15pm. Orders were issued for the withdrawal, up to this hour Captain VANNER M.C. was still holding the RED LINE and driving off every attack made on it. After the withdrawal of his Company he waited to superintend the demolition of both bridges over the cutting. This was successfully carried out. The withdrawal of the Battalion and the extrication of the posts in PEIZIERE was a matter of some difficulty as by the time of the receipt of the order by the Companies the enemy was in occupation of EPEHY and firing in from the north. The withdrawal was made under heavy machine gun fire from the south east and north east and a considerable number of casualties were incurred during it. 3.30pm. Battalion reorganised in valley just north of LONGAVESNES and received orders to march to AIZECOURT LE HAUT. 6.00pm. Battalion arrived and went into camp. Men had a hot meal.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THRUSSINGTON.” – WAR MEMS. – Mrs. Woodcock has received an intimation from the War Office that her husband, Private F. Woodcock, was killed in action on March 22nd. Much sympathy has been expressed with Mrs. Woodcock, who is left with four young children. Private Woodcock had seen nearly three years’ service with the forces, and was wounded in the battle of the Somme. His captain, writing to the widow, says “Private Woodcock did wonderful work carrying messages from the lines to headquarters, risking his life to save his comrades. Unfortunately he was killed by shrapnel almost at his journey’s end. He was killed instantly, and suffered no pain.” The gallant soldier was at the time of enlistment in the employ of Mr. J. A. Scorror, of Thorpe Arnold. – Mr. Wm. Needham, of the Star Inn, has received information that his son Archie has been missing for a month. Private Wilfred Crowden is reported wounded and missing. – Private Cecil Hardy was wounded in the battle on March 31st.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. – Mrs. Woodcock and family, Thrussington, desire to thank all friends for the sympathy shown to them in their sad bereavement.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The official casualty lists issued during the past week have included a very large number of Leicester’s, also of names of local men belonging to other regiments. Among them have been the following relating to this district, all being privates unless otherwise stated:- From Monday’s list:- Killed. – Leicestershire Regt. Cooper, 18735 J. (Melton Mowbray). Hands, 38664 H. (Long Clawson). Johnson, 11728 Corpl. W. (Syston). Woodcock, 15940 (Melton Mowbray).