Claude Woolley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Claude Woolley was born in 1898 the youngest son of John a general dealer and Emma Woolley (née Brewill). His father was born in 1850 at Nottingham and his mother in 1856 at Collingham near Newark. Married in 1874 at Nottingham, they had eleven children three dying during infancy. Claude’s surviving siblings, all born at Nottingham, were Maria b.1875, Lucy b.1879, John b.1882, Thomas b.1884, Albert b.1886, Annie b.1889 and Horace b.1892. In 1901 and 1911 the family lived at 12 St Michael’s Street Union Road Nottingham.
Claude Woolley attested at Nottingham on 21st July 1915 aged 19 and a half. Following his medical the following day he was posted to the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He embarked at Southampton on 18th March 1916 and joined the unit the following day in the field. He took part in the first day of the battle of the Somme 1st July 1916 where he was killed in action. He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial.
Notices published in the Nottingham Evening Post are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. 27th July 1916, “WOOLEY. [sic] – Killed in action, July 1st, Private Claude Wooley, Sherwood Foresters, aged 18 years. He answered to his country's call, and a brave hero he did fall. – From brother Albert and Alice.” 31st July 1916 , “WOOLLEY. – Killed in action, July 1st, 1916, Private Claude Woolley, Sherwood Foresters, aged 18 years Deeply mourned. Duty nobly done. – Sister Maria, husband, and family (Mansfield).” 31st July 1917 “WOOLLEY. – In loving memory of my dear son, Private Claude Woolley, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action July 1st, 1916, aged 18. We think we see his smiling face as he bade his last goodbye and left his home for ever, in a distant land to die; but the hardest part is yet to come when the heroes all return, and we miss among the cheering crowds the face of our dear son. – from his heart-broken mother and father, sister Maria, and brother Horace (away). “WOOLLEY. – In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Claude Woolley, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action July 1st, 1916, aged 18. He fought for his King and country, a noble death he died, fighting for us and for freedom, at the cost of his own dear life. – From his loving sister Lucy, husband, and niece Grace.” Research by Peter Gillings
