Cyril George Woodburn

Cyril enlisted with 2nd battalion Leicestershire Regiment and first saw a theatre of war (France) in May 1915. He was killed in action while leading his company in a charge of the German position. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Dud Corner in France.He is also commemorated on the St Albans School and St Albans Civic War Memorials

The following is an extract from 'The Cuthbertian' December 1916 issue no 4 :The following news of Lieut. G. C. Woodburn, of the 2nd Leicesters (not 3rd), supplied by his father from the letter of one of his brother officers: "Either C. Woodburn is wounded, missing, or prisoner. I saw him a few minutes before he led the charge made by his company. Just before we said 'Good-bye' to each other, he promised to write home for me if I should get killed, and I promised to write home for him." Later, the same officer wrote "I want you to see Mr.Woodburn and tell him that his son is missing. Please tell him that it does not mean killed,because I think there is a good chance of his being a prisoner. Woodburn's company was to lead the charge, and his platoon was first over the trench. He was hit in the hand, but this did not stop him. He went along with revolver in hand, under a most deadly fire. His wound was hurting, because he said to his men,'Go on, you fellows; don't wait for me. I'm all right.' Woodburn was then last seen jumping into a German trench with two men. Some say he was wounded again before he got there; he was splendid, absolutely splendid ."