Name
Robert Joseph (poss Joseph Robert) Woodward
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/07/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
L/4549
Royal Field Artillery
X36th Trench Mortar Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot I, Row N, Grave 21.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Amy Elizabeth GOODMAN (formerly WOODWARD) and the late Robert WOODWARD; husband of Maul Ethel (nee GAGGIN) WOODWARD of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
His parent’s marriage is proving elusive. However, it is assumed that Robert died at some point because Amy Elizabeth WOODWARD married John GOODMAN 1894 in the Watford district. John died 1936 in Watford aged 70, and was buried 16 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Amy died 1952 in Watford aged 88, and was buried 24 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Robert was born 31 July 1889 in Watford, and attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 July 1898 to 30 July 1903. He married 1913 in the Watford district, and resided in Watford.
On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Watford, with one sibling and his grandmother. On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he still lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a butcher aged 21 [listed as GOODMAN] he still lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and five siblings [all GOODMAN].
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 26 November 1915, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Robert’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Robert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 4 August 1917.
His half-brother John GOODMAN died 29 April 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
