Name
Harold Woodards
12/02/1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/04/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
109006
Royal Garrison Artillery
13th Heavy Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NORFOLK CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT
I. D. 88.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt, We are not aware of any memorial in Flamstead End
Pre War
Harold Woodards was born on 12th February 1899, in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, son of Joseph Woodards a General labourer and Ellen Woodards (nee Parker). The youngest of eleven children although two died in infancy.
He was Baptised on 19th March 1899, in Cheshunt, Herts.
His father Joseph Woodards died on 30th March 1901, in Cheshunt. Aged 53.
1901 Census records Harold aged 2, living with his widowed mother, four brothers and sister Elsie (4) at 189 High Street, Cheshunt, Herts.
1911 Census, Harold (12), is at school, living with his widowed mother, three brothers and sister Elsie (14), at 3 Melrose Cottages, Flamstead End, Cheshunt, Herts.
Wartime Service
Harold travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlist on 7th September 1914, joining the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment Territorial Force, issued with the service number 2901.
He was discharge on 17th September 1916, as he lied about his age when he enlisted (he was only 16, at the time of enlistment). Not put off by this Harold travel to Tottenham on 27th October 1915, and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, he gave his age as 19 Yrs. & 1 month, and his occupation as a painter, he was issued with the service number 109006, joining at Woolwich Barracks on the 28th October 1915, transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery in June 1916. He arrived in France on 3rd November 1916.
He was Killed in Action on 5th April 1918, aged 19. He is buried in the Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France. Grave Ref; I. D. 88.
His service record states his body was exhumed and reburied in Norfolk Cemetery, 13/4 Miles East South East of Albert.
Additional Information
His effect of £18-07s-04d, pay owing was split between his mother Ellen and family members. His war gratuity of £11, went to his mother Ellen.
Both his service record have survived and are available on-line.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
