WOODS, Albert James
| Service Number: | 1274 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 December 1915, 1 yr Senior Cadets |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 15 October 1894 |
| Home Town: | Minmi, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 22 September 1925, aged 30 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Minmi Cemetery, New South Wales Left Hand Side, Section 14, Plot 030. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1274, 35th Infantry Battalion, 1 yr Senior Cadets | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1274, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1274, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 4 Feb 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, For gallantry and devotion to duty during attack on enemy position near MORLANCOURT on the night 5th/6th May, 1918. Owing to enemy at one period being in rear of our flank and occupying a continuation of the captured trench system, movement after daylight was an extremely hazardous and almost impossible venture. Private WOODS as a Battalion runner took messages forward and backward under heavy shell and rifle fire. At break of day on 6th instant this runner volunteered and took hot tea to front line troops. At this time enemy snipers and artillery were extremely active, and the conduct of Private WOODS was a fine example to his comrades.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 | |
| 7 Mar 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1274, 35th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
Help us honour Albert James Woods's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served bravely during The Great War, resting at Minmi Cemetery.
On the Thursday afternoon of the 24th September 1925, Private Albert James Wood M.M., 35th Battalion (runner, Reg No-1274), labourer from Newtown, Minmi, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Minmi Cemetery, age 30 Years 11 Months. Left Hand Side, Section 14, Plot 030.
Never married.
Born at Minmi, New South Wales on the 15th October 1894 as James Albert to William Snr, died 18.5.1940, Wallsend Hospital, N.S.W., age 79, buried at Left Hand Side, Section 14, Plot 030, from Newtown, Minmi, New South Wales, and Frances (Francis, Fanny) Woods nee Hemmings, died 19.7.1908, Minmi, N.S.W., age 40 years 9 months, mother of 10?, sleeping at Left Hand Side, Section 14, Plot 030, from Newtown, Minmi, New South Wales. Sister Irene Woods.
Albert enlisted on the 13th December 1915, age 21 years 2 months, at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916.
Disembarked Plymouth, England 9.7.1916.
Proceeded O/Seas to France from Southampton, England 21.11.1916.
Admitted to hospital 12.8.1917 (trench fever).
Granted leave to England from 27.1.1919 to 17.2.1919.
Commenced return to Australia 11.5.1919.
Awarded Military Medal 21.5.1918.
'For gallantry and devotion to duty during attack on enemy position near MORLANCOURT on the night 5th/6th May, 1918. Owing to enemy at one period being in rear of our flank and occupying a continuation of the captured trench system, movement after daylight was an extremely hazardous and almost impossible venture. Private WOODS as a Battalion runner took messages forward and backward under heavy shell and rifle fire. At break of day on 6th instant this runner volunteered and took hot tea to front line troops. At this time enemy snipers and artillery were extremely active, and the conduct of Private WOODS was a fine example to his comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15.
Date: 4th February 1919.
Albert returned home on the 27th June 1919, not being discharged medically unfit until the 7th March 1920.
Mr. Woods’s name has been inscribed on the Minmi Roll of Honour as H. A. WOODS.
I have placed poppies at Albert’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Not officially commemorated.
Many thanks to Jeanette Park and Ros Cheetham for the notification.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.