Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920

Arthur Woodage.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has only one A. Woodage recorded as having died in the First World War. He is named as Arthur, a Lance Corporal in the , (also known as the Green Howard’s), with the Regimental number 9022 who died on the 17th aged 23. His parents are named as Alfred and Elizabeth Woodage of Little Sandhurst, Berkshire.

“UK, Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919” has his place of birth as Arborfield, Wokingham and his place of residence as |Little Sandhurst. (No Alfred & Elizabeth have been found there.)

Arthur was born on the 1st October 1891, his birth being registered in Wokingham in the 4th quarter. (The 1891 census has John and Annie Woodage, with 4 children, the eldest being Martha F, living in Arborfield). Another researcher has his parents as John Alfred Woodage and Mary Ann Stewart (all censuses have his mother born in Nova Scotia, ).

The 1901 census for Little Sandhurst has Arthur, aged 9 and born in Arborfield, the son of John (died 1904) and Annie Woodage (died 1902).

(John, aged 19, had enlisted in the 97th Foot on 21st December 1870 and served in Canada. (Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900.)

He was arrived at Gordon’s in m1905 and left in 1907. His number was allotted in April 1908.

In 1911 Arthur Woodage was a 19 year old Private in the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment serving in the Sudan, having enlisted at Aldershot. In 1914 the 1/Yorkshires were in where they remained throughout the war.

At some time Arthur he was posted to the 2nd Battalion which at the outbreak of war were in Guernsey. They returned to England and became part of 21st Brigade 7th Division that landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th October 1914.

Arthur embarked for a little later - on the 14th November 1914, and may have taken part in the 1st Battle of (19th October to 22nd November).

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal ((DCM), a gallantry medal, second only to the VC, for his actions on the 13th during the (10th March to 2nd April) which was the first full scale attack by the British Army of the war. The citation has his rank as "Bandsman" (a Musician like others at Gordon’s) and as such would have been a stretcher bearer attending the wounded.

The DCM citation states :- “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle on the 13th March 1915, in voluntarily leaving his trench (his battalion not being engaged at the time) under very heavy fire, and attending the wounded regardless of the danger. The gallantry of this Bandsman was very noticeable.”

It is probably in this role that he lost his life two months later on the 17th May 1915at the Battle of Festurbert.

Arthur was awarded the DCM, the (with clasp), the Victory medal and the British War Medals together with the St. Order of St. George 3rd Class (Russia).

He was one of 33 of his Battalion to be killed between the 13th and 22nd May 1915 and one of 17

Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920 whose body was never recovered and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial which contains 13,400 names of those who have no known grave.

His “Effects” amounting to £41-10-8d was paid on the 7th October 1915 to his sister and sole legatee Mrs Martha F Scott. She also received his War Gratuity of £5 on the 31st July 1919. (Martha (Mary/Florence) Woodage married Frank Thomas Scott in 1902 and on the 1911 census were living in Little Sandhurst, Berkshire with their 5 children.)

Sources: 1, 2, 3(C), 6(M) 7(a, b & c), 9, 11, 13 & 14

References

1. UK, Soldiers Died in WW1 (Details, often including place of enlistment) 2. Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Cemetery or Memorial) & relatives? 3. 1901 census (Military (M) or (C)) 4. 1901 census (Gordon Boys Home - Age only) 5. 1911 census (Gordon Boys Home - Age, place of birth and Trade) 6. 1911 census (Military (M) or Civilian. (C)). 7. Army Medal Card 7(a) - Rolls 7(b) - Effects 7(c) 8. Naval and marines medal roll 9. www.1914-1918.net or Long Long Trail (Division, Regiment & Battalion dispositions) 10. Service Record (some survived WW2 blitz - various state of damage) 11. Reference literature: Battle of Festurbert - www.1914-1918.net 12. National Archive Naval Records. 13. Army Service Numbers 1881-1914 - Paul Noble (Blog) 14. Gordon’s Records (a) The Children’s Society (b)

The Battle of (condensed)

Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920

Inception The was in effect a second phase of the recently failed attack on Aubers Ridge. Once again, the attack would take the form of a pincer attack with two assault frontages: a northern one along the Rue du Bois near Port Arthur and Richebourg 'Avoue, and a southern one at Festubert.

The tactical objectives are set "The general plan of the main attack will be as follows:- To continue pressing forward towards Violaines and Beau Puits, establish a defensive flank along the La Bassée road on the left and maintaining the right at Givenchy. The line to be established in the first instance if possible on the general line of the road Festubert - La Quinque Rue - La Tourelle crossroads - Port Arthur. The position to be consolidated and the troops reformed and communication established. While this line is being established, a general bombardment on the whole front will continue with a special bombardment of the next objectives, viz: Rue d'Ouvert - Rue du Marais. When ready a fresh advance will be ordered on these objectives" First Army Operation Order, 13 May 1915 .

Divisions involved. I (Monro): 2nd, 7th, 47th (2nd London), 51st (Highland) and 1st Canadian Divisions Indian Corps (Willcocks): 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions.

On the 13th May the British bombardment opened with a total of 433 guns and howitzers firing on a 5000 yard front. The 36 six-inch howitzers were to fire on the enemy breastwork parapet, to blow gaps through which the infantry could pour; the 54 4.5-inch would hit the German support lines, as would a portion of the field guns. The majority of the 210 eighteen-pounder field guns aimed at the German wire firing shrapnel, which was known to be an ineffective weapon for this task, but there was no High Explosive available. The bombardment was observed in detail: even early on there were reports of a high proportion of dud shells failing to explode - especially the howitzers. Firing day and night, more than 101,000 shells were fired.

At 10.00pm on the 15th all units of the attacking battalions of the 5th, 6th (2nd Div.) and the Gharwal Brigade (7th Meerut Div.) were reported to be in position and at 11.30pm the first-line platoons of infantry left their trenches and moved out into No Man's Land as the lifted beyond the German support trenches. The advance of the 6th Brigade was completed with few casualties. They occupied the German front and support trenches and began to consolidate. The 5th Brigade and Gharwal Brigade ran into a more alert enemy and was hit by heavy machine-gun fire. Some men reach the German front line but many were cut down in No Man's Land.

At 12.45am on the 16th the 2nd Division ordered a further bombardment as planned, to coincide with the attack to be made by 7th Division. The support battalions of 6th Brigade were unable to leave the British front trench to move up to the captured position due to heavy cross-fire from the area between the two Divisional attacks, which had not been suppressed by the bombardment. German resistance in the area to the front of the captured trenches is stiffening. The support battalions of the Gharwal Brigade also attempted to move forward, but were immediately cut down and the movement ceased.

At 2.45am the bombardment intensified on the front opposing 7th Division, including six field guns firing from the front line, opening gaps in the German breastwork (a tactic tried with some success by the Division at Aubers), although in places the lines are only 80 yards apart and great care is taken to avoid shelling the British troops forming up.

At 3.10am the first platoons of the 20th Brigade left their front line, to close up with the German Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920

before the lifts. Considerable casualties were incurred as they advanced too far, into the British shells.

At 3.15am, although the 2nd Division had failed to reorganise ready for a supporting advance, the 850-yard frontal attack by the 22nd Brigade of the 7th Division began but the first wave was hit by heavy machine-gun fire. The advance halted for an extra 15 minutes shelling. On their left, 20th Brigade were slowed by a deep ditch, and crossfire from a position untouched by the bombardment, as it lay in the area between the two Divisional attacks.

At about 3.45am the 22nd Brigade moved forward and despite suffering more casualties they reached the German front and worked along the trench system using bombs (grenades). At 5.40am Haig redrew the boundary of the area to be attacked, and halted any fresh attacks by the Meerut Division, directing the Sirhind Brigade to move to the support of 2nd Division.

At 6am units of the 22nd Brigade reached the German line and the bombers moved through the system of communication and support trenches facing Festubert. They secured a part of the old German front and the objective of the attack had thus been achieved.

By 6.30am elements of the 20th Brigade, and 22nd Brigade had also advanced but were forced to withdraw a little, after being hit by British artillery (firing by the map and timetable, unaware of the precise position of their infantry) and by German fire.

After repulsing a German counter-attack further attempts to continue proved fruitless and costly, and by 9.00am the attack has come to a halt. The men in the most advanced positions near the Orchard and along the Northern Breastwork were by now under intensive German shellfire. At 10.00am General Monro directed attacks to close the gap between the Divisions, by converging advances towards Ferme Cour d'Avoué.

The 1/Grenadier Guards of 20th Brigade, having moved across No Man's Land by a new trench being dug by the 1/6th Gordon Highlanders, bombed their way along 300 yards of enemy trench, but could not advance over open ground, being assailed by fire as they make the attempt. No units of the 2nd Division were yet in position to make an attack and in the meanwhile the bombers 22nd Brigade) continued to take more of the German trench system, 800 yards as far as Willow Corner (facing the front of the 47th Division) being captured in yard by yard fighting. More than 190 German prisoners were captured in doing so.

At 7.30pm the 1/Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 22nd Brigade near the Orchard end of the Northern Breastwork withdrew to La Quinque Rue, forced out by lack of support from 20th Brigade on their left, and heavy German shelling.

At 11.45 that evening, having assessed the situation reports coming in from the Divisions and Corps, First Army decided to continue the offensive of and place all other actions on hold. Orders were given for the gap between the two Divisions to be closed, with a view to continuing an advance towards Chapelle St Roch and Rue d'Ouvert.

The 17th May was when the 21st Brigade were brought up into the attack.

It was a day of heavy rain, and low cloud. The German units in the area between Ferme du Bois and the Southern Breastwork (opposite Willow Corner) began a systematic withdrawal to a new line, some 1200 yards to the rear. Enough rearguard troops and artillery support were provided to enable and hide this action from their assailants. Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920

At 2.45am the British recommence shelling against targets registered the day before and destroyed enemy positions. The German garrison of the Quadrilateral was badly hit, and could not withdraw as ordered. The survivors attempt to surrender but are cut down by German shelling, as well as the British bombardment which is still falling. Approximately 450 men reach British lines and are captured. Other German units withdrew or surrendered, and their front in the area of the gap was giving way fast.

Various changes of tactical plan were then ordered by I Corps, as mixed reports came in of the preparedness of the attacking units and the clear German collapse in some areas. German shelling on captured areas was heavy throughout the day.

At 9.30am lead units of 21st Brigade (2/ Fusiliers and 2/Yorkshire) advanced into the devastated gap, and by 10.15am had cleared the Quadrilateral and some ground to the left of it. At 10.00am lead units of 6th Brigade (2/South Staffordshire and 1/King's) with the 2/ on their left ran into heavy machine-gun fire from their left front with the location of the gunners uncertain. British artillery support called by the Brigade unfortunately also hit men of the 2/ who were in the Quadrilateral.

By about 12 noon First Army reacted to reports of success by bringing 3rd Canadian Brigade to readiness in support of I Corps, and extending the front of the Indian Corps in order to release the 5th Brigade for further forward movement. Haig also advised I Corps that the distant objective was now the direction of La Bassée, the canal and the "Railway Triangle" position on the far bank, not the Aubers Ridge and the La Bassée-Lille road as previously targeted. The British advance was to take on a definite South-Westerly aspect. First objectives in that direction would now be Violaines and Chapelle St Roch. Afternoon Further attempts to attack across La Quinque Rue to capture the Orchard and that end of the Northern Breastwork are halted by German machine-gun and artillery fire. The forward movement of reserves was proving very slow due to roads blocked by traffic and ground conditions that were worsening due to the weather.

At 7.30pm The 2/Bedfordshire and 1/4/Cameron Highlanders of 21st Brigade attacked on the extreme right of the British advanced positions, with the objective of the Southern Breastwork lying some 400 yards away across what appeared to be flat ground. On moving forward, the infantry discover a number of hidden and flooded ditches - some men drowned in the attempt to cross. The Bedfords advance was broken up, but some men of the Camerons got into the Breastwork trenches. By 8.00pm the 4th (Guards) Brigade of 2nd Division (2/Grenadier Guards, 1/ and 1/Hertfordshire), ordered up in the afternoon from Le Touret, gradually gots into position on the Rue des Cailloux but by then it was too dark to move so they consolidate the position.

Throughout the afternoon, evening and night, the enemy moved to a newly-prepared line, extending from Rue d'Ouvert to the Cinder track near Ferme du Bois, behind their original front lines. This movement was not observed by the British, nor was the quiet enemy reinforcement.

At 3.00am on the 18th May in steady rainfall the 2/Bedfordshire and 1/4/Cameron Highlanders repeated their earlier attack, but were repulsed and the small party of Camerons in the enemy trench were forced to withdraw due to lack of bombs.

Further bombardments and infantry attacks were postponed as visibility was so poor in the mist and rain. Enemy shelling on the newly-won positions along La Quinque Rue continued.

First Army gave orders to renew the attack in the afternoon - but ominously the bombardment will have no 4.5-inch howitzer component - ammunition stocks are running dangerously low. The orders reached the infantry with little time for thorough preparation. Pupils of Gordon’s Boys Home who died in the Great War 1914-1919 No. 1920

In the early afternoon the orders were given for the relief of 2nd and 7th Divisions by the Canadian and 52nd (Highland) Divisions who would take over with a view to continuing the advance towards Violaines and Chapelle St Roch.

The 3rd Canadian Brigade finally arrived in the front lines at 5.20pm and relieved the 21st Brigade. The remainder of the Canadian Division relieved the rest of the 7th Division that night.