Charles William Woods

He was born about 1895, the fourth child of William and Alice Woods, both of whom had been born in Lincolnshire (Leadenham and Horncastle respectively). In 1901 they were living at 15 Buxton Street, Meadows, which was their address until at least 1919 when they acknowledged receipt of the plaque and scroll in commemoration of their son. William was employed as a clothes porter. By 1901 they had had the first four of their five children; Mabel Elizabeth (8), Charles William (6), Frederick Arthur (4) and Alice Emmie (5 months). Ten years later at the time of the 1911 census there was another daughter, Ada Mary (4). When his father completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing Charles' surviving blood relatives three of Charles' siblings were still living at 15 Buxton Street with their parents; Frederick Arthur (22), Alice Emmie (18) and Ada Mary (12). Their oldest child, Mabel Elizabeth (26), was married (surname Patrick) and living at 40 Newcastle Road, Nottingham. Charles' sister, Mabel, married William Henry Patrick on Whit Monday 1915 at St George's Church, Meadows. Her husband served in the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (21877 Private) and was killed on 31 August 1915, the same month as her brother. At the time of her husband's death Mabel was living at 15 Buxton Street, Nottingham.

In 1911 when he was 16 years old, Charles was a shop assistant (clothier and outfitters). However, when he enlisted in 1914 he completed the attestation that he had served an apprenticeship with Dixon and Parker (Nottingham), presumably before becoming a shop assistant.

He enlisted in Lincoln. It is presumed his address was the family home at 15 Buxton Street, Nottingham.

He enlisted (Short Service Attestation) in Lincoln on 31 August 1914 at the age of 19 and was posted on 2 September 1914 before joining the 6th Battalion a few days later on 11 September. On 1 January 1915 he was appointed lance-corporal (without pay), then appointed lance-corporal (paid) on 1 July 1915, the day he embarked with the battalion at Liverpool bound for the Dardanelles. He must have been killed very shortly after disembarking at Gallipoli and the place of his death was listed on his army record as 'not known'. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial (panel 44 to 46). He had served for 342 days (Home 31 August 1914-30 June 1915 and with the Expeditionary Force Mediterranean 1 July 1915-7 August 1915). He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

He is named as 'Charles W Woods' in the order of service for the dedication of the memorial in St Nicholas' parish church, Nottingham, and as CW Wood on the ROH in St George's church, Meadows. His father was his legatee. Charles few possessions, two letters, a pocket book, photographs, a letter wallet and an identity disc, were returned to his father a few months after his son's death. Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 2 September 1915: 'Woods. Killed in action 7th August, Lance Corporal CW Woods, 6th Lincolnshire, of 15 Buxton Street, Nottingham, mother, father.' Mabel Patrick nee Wood: Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, July 1915: ‘Don Cupid has been busy as usual, and the wedding of Miss Woods, of the Building Office, to Pte Patrick, of the 3rd Sherwood Foresters, was celebrated at St George’s Church, Nottingham, on Whit-Monday.’ Boots 'Comrades in Khaki’, October 1915, ‘By the Way’: ‘In our July issue was chronicled the marriage of Miss Woods of the Building Office to Pte WH Patrick of the Sherwood Foresters. Recent casualty lists show that Pte Patrick died of wounds on August 31st and that, moreover, L-Corpl CW Woods of the 6th Lincolns (brother of Mrs Patrick) was killed in action on August 7th. The widest sympathy is felt for Mrs Patrick.’