Corporal John Thomas Woodward.
2875 2nd South Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in action 21st October 1916. Aged 39.
(John’s brother Philip was killed 1st July 1916)
John was baptised in St Paul’s Church, Burnley on the 24th Dec 1876. The son of Samuel Woodward and Mary Ann Honor. In the 1881 census the family were living at 10 Finsley Gate, Burnley. Sam 29 grocer, Mary Ann 24, John 4 and Samuel 2.
By 1891 the family had moved to 43 Hirst St, Burnley. Mary Ann 34, John 14 spinner, Samuel 12, Ann 4, Clara 2 and Mary Hamer mother of Mary Ann.
John married Margaret Anne Shoesmith in the June quarter of 1900 in Burnley.
John was in Victoria Hospital in the 1901 census aged 24 and a coal miner.
In the 1911 census the family were living at 49 Branch Rd, Burnley. John 34 miner, Margaret 34, Willie 9, Mary 6, Norah 4, john 1, Robert 8 months. All the children were born in Burnley.
From the Burnley News dated 4th November 1916: HEROIC CORPORAL. BURNLEY MAN KILLED AFTER COMMENDATION BY OFFICER.
News has been received of the death in action of Corporal J.T. Woodward whose wife and seven children reside in Branch Road Burnley. He was a Collier at Cheapside Pit prior to enlisting in the South Lancashire Regiment 2 years ago. The news of Corporal Woodward's death is forwarded in a letter from a comrade Signaller F Summers, who wrote to Mrs Woodward. Corporal Woodward had been commended by his officer for heroic work in patrolling the German Lines.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 2nd December 1916: RELIABLE AND FEARLESS. TRIBUTE TO BURNLEY SOLDIER.
Mrs Woodward who resides at 55 Springfield Road Burnley and who is left with seven children, has now received official intimation of the death of her husband Corporal J T (Jack) Woodward, of the South Lancashire Regiment, which was recorded along with a portrait in our issue of November 4. He was killed on October 21st and the following letter from Company Sergeant Major Nicholson, to whom Mrs Woodward had written for information, bears testimony to the deceased soldiers excellent qualities:-
"I regret to confirm the report that your dear husband was killed in action. I hope it will be some small consolation to you to know that throughout he has proved himself a thoroughly reliable and fearless soldier, also that he died as he lived, fighting to the last. He was killed by shell fire about 6:30 am on the 21st October, death being almost instantaneous. We were entrenched and assembled ready for attacking the enemy trenches when a shell burst, killing 4, one of whom was your husband, and he with his three comrades was buried on the battlefield later the same day. His death was greatly felt by all the NCO's of his company, also the men under him, for one and all knew that in his death they had lost an excellent leader in the fight that was to take place." CSM Nicholson adds he had known Corporal Woodward since January 1915 and "he was always ready with willing help and he cheery word." please accept my deepest sympathies in which all the NCO's of his company join."
Lived at 55 Springfield Road.
John left his effects to his widow Margaret Anna.
Husband of Margaret Ann Woodward, of 55, Springfield Rd., Burnley, Lancs.
Another brother Samuel served in both the Boer War and WW1, he was invalided out with frostbite in 1915
I have been undertaking work on my family tree and came across your site as my mothers family were from Burnley.
My mothers family- WOODWARD - resided in Coalclough Lane.
My grandfather Samuel Woodward, his brother Philip Woodward and John Thomas Woodward all served in the great war. My grandfather was invalided out in 1915 after also serving in the Boer War. He was in the Border regiment.
His two brothers (my great uncles) however were both killed on the Somme.
I have a photo of Philip Woodward which I attach (I hope it comes out) and a copy of his effects at time of death:
Richard Todd
Blackpool
John is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Piers 7A & 7B.
Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024