Private Philip Woodward.
13820 1st Lancashire Fusiliers.
Killed in action 1st July 1916, aged 23.
Philip’s brother John was killed 21st Oct 1916.
Philip was born in Burnley and baptised in St Stephen’s Church on the 23rd Feb 1896, his family lived at that time at 25 Richard St.. The son of Samuel Woodward and Mary Ann Honor. In the 1901 census the family lived at 29 Russell St, Burnley. Samuel 47. Mary 44. Ann 14, Clara 12, Philip 5, Francis 4 and Stephen 2.
In the 1911 census the family had moved to 26 Parker St, Briercliffe. Samuel 56, Mary 54, Ann 24, Clara 22, Philip 15 weaver, Fred Francis 14 and Stephen 12. Their parents had been married 35 years and had 12 children 5 of whom had died.
Philip entered the theatre of war on the 9th Aug 1915.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 8th January 1916: IN HOSPITAL. NEWS FROM HARLE SYKE SOLDIER.
Private P Woodward of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers, whose home is at Haggate, is now in hospital in the Mediterranean suffering from frozen feet. He was one of the British soldiers who held Suvla Bay, which was recently evacuated. In the floods on November 27th his regiment had a very uncomfortable time of it in there waterlogged trenches, and had to seek other shelter. But with all their difficulties, Private Woodward consider that the Turk had an even worse time, inasmuch as the water ran down the big hill behind the Turks position, and filled their trenches, and then overflowed into the British lines. Some of the packs were even washed into the sea. The soldier adds: "at about this point my feet began to feel numbed. I stuck it out until we got relieved on the Sunday. It was the first time we had been relieved since September 21st. The following Monday they took me to hospital with frozen feet. On Wednesday morning I was put on a boat with a lot more sick fellows. In the evening we arrived at Lemnos, then on the following morning we were sent to different hospitals. I came to this one. It is a very nice one, and plenty of food. It was quite a change from bully and biscuits to have chicken, ham and eggs, bread and butter, syrup, etc."
Lived at 11 Granville Street. Son of Samuel and Mary Ann Woodward, of 11, Granville St., Harle Syke, Burnley.
Philip left his effects to his parents Samuel and Mary Ann.
Philip is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Pier and Face 3C & D.
Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024