John George Woodcock

John George was born in 1888 in Winkburn and was the son of George a farm foreman and Emma Woodcock, née Walker. His father George was born in 1856 in Eakring and his mother Emma Walker in 1859, also in Eakring. They were married in the Southwell Registration area in 1878 and went on to have a large family of 15 children, sadly three of the children were to die in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving 12 children were William b1882 in Rufford, the other children were all born in Winkburn and were Clara b1884, Annie b1886, Florence b1887, John George b1888, Minnie b1890, Henry b1893, Alfred b1894, David b1895, Arthur b1897, Rose b1899 and Walter b1903. In the 1911 census John George 21 yrs had left the family home and was working as a horseman at Rufford Hill Farm near Ollerton, and living with the farmer, Richard George Bower 30 yrs, and his family. His sister Minnie 20 yrs had also left home and was a domestic servant living and working at 330 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, for James Bell 68 yrs, a bonded warehouse clerk, and his family. Meanwhile, the rest of the family was living at Manor Farm Cottages, Rufford, and shown as George 53 yrs head of the family, a farm foreman, his wife Emma 52 yrs and their children Henry 18 yrs a horseman on the farm, Alfred 17 yrs David 15 yrs and Arthur 14 yrs all of whom were farm labourers and Rose 12 yrs and Walter 8 yrs who were scholars. John married Rosa Ingall in 1917 (registered Nottingham). His pension record card stated that his widow Rosa Woodcock (born 11th April 1893) was living at 792 Woodborough Road, Mapperley, Nottingham. Rosa was awarded a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence with effect from 1st September 1919.

Horseman on a farm.

Gunner John George Woodcock served with 'D' Battery, 106th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He died of pneumonia at No. 51 Casualty Clearing Station on 17th February 1919 and was buried in Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Hainault, Belgium (grave ref. IV.F.12).

His brother Private Harry Woodcock 8th Bn Leicestershire Regiment was killed on 15 July 1916 and is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour). Obituaries published in the Nottingham Evening Post on 28th February 1919. “WOODCOCK. – On the 17th inst., in France, the beloved husband of Rosa Woodcock, aged 29 years. – From sorrowing wife [Rosa].” 'Nottingham Evening Post,' 17th February 1920. “WOODCOCK. – In loving memory of my dear husband, who died in France February 17th, 1919. Some time I shall understand. – Rosa. Fondly remembered by mother.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War HucknalL 1914-1918