Name
Joseph William Woods
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
23/11/1943
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6028114
Essex Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Sangro River War Cemetery
XVII. D. 9.
Italy
Headstone Inscription
IT IS NOT SADNESS PEACE FROM STRIFE TO DWELL WITH CHRIST IS BETTER LIFE
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St. John's War Church, Memorial, Hitchin Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945 (Book) St Mary’s Church, Hitchin
Biography
He was born in Lincolnshire but was residing in Hertfordshire at the time he enlisted. He was given the Service Number 6028114 and served in the 5th Battalion of the Essex Regiment and fought in Italy.
The 5th Battalion arrived in Italy from Egypt on the 24th September 1943. Montgomery had intended to break through the Gustav Line at. the Sangro River. The 8th Indian Infantry Division of which the 5th Essex was part, was given the task of crossing the river to take Mozzagrogna. Due to heavy rain in the preceding days the river rose five feet, and the area was a quagmire so that on the 23rd November the Division struggled to ferry troops across and to keep them supplied.
He is buried in Plot 17, Row D, Grave 9 in the Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy. A private inscription on the headstone reads "It is not sadness peace from strife to dwell with Christ is better still".
He was the son of Charles and Rose Woods and the husband of Ivy Doris Woods. He had four daughters.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Army Roll of Honour 1939-19 45 Database.
Paul Johnson - local historian, Mrs D.E. Webb, ‘The Battle for Italy’ by W.G.F. Jackson, ‘Orders of Battle 1939-45’ by H.F. Joslen, ‘The Second World War’ by J. Hammerton
