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| Thomas Woodcock | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1888-03-19)19 March 1888 Wigan, Lancashire |
| Died | 27 March 1918(1918-03-27) (aged 30) Bullecourt, France |
| Buried | Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1915 – 1918 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit | Irish Guards |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Thomas Woodcock VC (19 March 1888 – 27 March 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest medal that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
Woodcock was 29 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12/13 September 1917 north of Broenbeek, Belgium, when an advanced post had held out for 96 hours and was finally forced to retire, the lance-sergeant (John Moyney) in charge of the party and Private Woodcock covered the retirement. After crossing the stream themselves, Private Woodcock heard cries for help behind him - he returned and waded into the stream amid a shower of bombs and rescued another member of the party whom he carried across open ground in daylight towards our front line, regardless of machine-gun fire.
He was killed in action at Bullecourt, France, on 27 March 1918.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of corporal. He is buried at Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery, France. 8m SW of Arras. Plot IV. row F. Grave 3.
His Victoria Cross is held by the Irish Guards and is on display at the Guards Museum, Birdcage Walk, London.
References
- "No. 30338". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917. pp. 10678–10679.
- CWGC entry
Bibliography
- Snelling, Stephen (2012) . Passchendaele 1917. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0752476667.
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- 1888 births
- 1918 deaths
- People from Wigan
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Irish Guards soldiers
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Military personnel from Manchester
- British Army personnel stubs