WOODWARD, Edward

Edward Woodward was married to Sarah and they lived at 81 Cocksheds Lane, Blackheath. He volunteered for the Worcesters and was sent to the 3rd Battalion. He was probably among those who in 1915 filled the ranks left by the regulars who had been killed in the 1914 campaign. The Worcesters spent early 1915 at Ploegsteert Wood at the end of the Messines ridge and were then involved in the second Battle of Ypres at Sanctuary Wood. By the start of 1916 they had moved south to trenches at St. Eloi near Vimy Ridge. The winter was vicious and conditions were fearful. Lance Corporal Edward Woodhouse was killed in action on the 29th January. He was 31 years of age and is buried at Ecoivres Cemetery at St. Eloi (I H 8) and commemorated on the Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.