Fred Woodward

He joined up with the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) 2nd/7th Battalion and would have been sent to the North East for his training. His accidental death occurred on New Years Eve night 1916. The report following describes the events Worksop Guardian 26 May 1916 Some time ago we recorded that, Pte Woodward, the only son of Mr Woodward, widow, Oldcotes, who had joined the 2nd-7th West Riding Regiment, believed to be drowned at Newcastle –on –Tyne. He was returning to his unit with a comrade. It was a dark night, and strong wind was blowing. His comrades hat was blown off, and Woodward endeavouring to find it was blown into the water, alarm was at once given, but not a trace of the poor fellow could be found. However his body floated to the surface and was recovered, and later interred with military honours. It would seem that a passing vessel dislodged the body which has now had a proper burial. Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs Woodward in her great sorrow. Cemetery:- Newcastle upon Tyne (All Saints) Cemetery

Nottinghamshire Archives (ref PR 8446), Harworth Register of Burials: ‘Members of the Parish of Harworth who died in the Great War of 1914-1918 and are buried abroad’. Woodward Frederick (Oldcotes), Private W. Yorks, 1 January 1916, accidentally drowned whilst in training. Research by Colin Dannatt