Name
Henry Charles Woodstock
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/01/1920
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
G/54
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUSHEY (ST. JAMES) CHURCHYARD
II, in S.W. part.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bushey memorials
Pre War
It has not been possible to find a record for the birth of a Henry Charles Woodstock in the Watford registration district during a relevant date range. However, the birth of a Henry Charles Marlborough was registered in the Watford district in the second quarter of 1885 and was christened with that name on 9 April 1886. It is believed he took the new surname when his mother, Ada Sophia Marlborough, married Charles Woodstock on 26 September 1887 in Bushey.
At the 1891 census, Charles and Ada S Woodstock were living at Back Lane Cottages in Bushey. Charles and Ada were 27 and 24 years old respectively and Charles was working as a bricklayer. They had two children named George J and Thomas who were 3 and 1 years old respectively. Birthplaces were given as Watford for Charles and George and Bushey for Ada and Thomas.
Also at the 1891 census, Ada Sophia and Henry Charles were recorded at the household of Joseph and Charlotte Marlborough, also living in Back Lane Cottages, Bushey. Ada and Henry were 24 and five years old respectively and their birthplaces were given as Bushey. Neither Ada nor Henry is recorded with the Marlborough surname. Ada was recorded as daughter in law and it is assumed she was incorrectly included here and with the Woodstock household.
At the 1901 census, Charles and Sophia were living at 9 Lower Paddock Road in Bushey and Charles was still working as a bricklayer. Also present were James, George, Thomas and Charles (Jnr.), who were 15, 15, 11 and 9 years old respectively. Henry was not present and it is assumed he was still living with his grandparents, Joseph and Charlotte Marlborough, but it has not been possible to find a 1901 census record for their household.
At the 1911 census, Charles and Sophia were still living at 9 Lower Paddock Road in Bushey. Charles and Sophia were 49 and 44 years old respectively and Charles is still employed as a bricklayer. Henry was now living with the family and was 25 years old and working as a general labourer. Also present were George, Thomas and Charles (Jnr.), plus niece and nephew Amelia and Charles Roffe, and a boarder named Ada Cox.
Wartime Service
Henry enlisted in August 1914 and served as Private G/54 with the 11th Service Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 31 May 1915 to 13 February 1917.
A report of the medical board, dated 24 May 1917, declared him physically unfit due to tuberculosis of the lungs which had originated 3 months ago in France a result of ‘active service, exposure and infection’. He was ‘totally incapacitated’ and recommended for treatment at a sanatorium. He was discharged from service at Hounslow on 14 June 1917 having served for a total of two years and 307 days. He was sent to Edinburgh City Hospital and died on 20 January 1920 and was buried in Bushey churchyard. He was entitled to the 15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
His medical form recorded him at the time of discharge as single, 32 years in age and of ‘good’ military character. He was 5 feet 7½ inches tall with grey eyes and light brown hair, and with a scar on the top of his forehead. His home address was 9 Lower Paddock Road in Oxhey.
Additional Information
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk , Jonty Wil
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild
