Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John and Mary Ann WOODLAND, Mount Barker, South Australia

Mr. and Mrs. John Woodland, of Mount Barker, received the sad news on Monday, through the Rev. E. R. Ledger, that their youngest son, Private Reginald Keith Woodland, had made the supreme  sacrifice whilst fighting for his King and Country in France. Private Woodland, who was a member of the 50th Battalion, was only 19 years of age, and his death on the battlefield adds one more honored name to the steadily increasing list of brave lads who left happy homes to fight for Britain's cause. The deceased soldier had developed into a fine young man, and his now sorrow-stricken  parents were looking forward to the day when they would have had the pleasure of welcoming home their gallant soldier son. But a cruel fate has ruled otherwise, and the only consolation his bereaved parents have is the knowledge that their boy died a soldier and a man, giving his young life in the fight for our freedom and existence as a nation. The late Private Woodland had the misfortune to be  laid up for seven months in England with rheumatism and rheumatic fever, and he had not long returned to the firing line when he was killed. He was not 17 years of age when he enlisted. By his death his parents have  lost an ideal son, and they are now naturally more anxious than ever about their second son, who is also on active service.

MEMORIAL TO LATE PRIVATE
R. K. WOODLAND
A large congregation assembled at the Baptist Church, Mount Barker, last Sunday morning to witness the unveiling of a Communion table erected in memory of the late Private R. K. Woodland. In a  short address fitting to the occasion, the Rev. E. R. Ledger spoke of the Christian character of the departed soldier. The pastor then called upon Mr. J. Woodland, father of the deceased, to unveil the  table. Mr. Woodland, who was naturally much moved, in a short and touching speech, formally asked the Church to accept the gift, in memory of his son, and on behalf of Mrs. Woodland and himself. Mr. J Ledger acknowledged the gift, and expressed appreciation of the spirit in which it had been tendered. The table is constructed of pine, massive, and splendidly finished. It bears a brass plate, with the following inscrip- tion:—"In memory of Reginald K. Woodland, 50th Battalion, A.I.F., killed in action, October 16, 1917. 'Greater love hath no man than this.' A pathetic incident in connection with the unveiling of the memorial was the fact that two days before there had arrived a parcel of personal belongings of the fallen soldier. Among these was a small Testament which had been presented to  him by the members of the Church when he was leaving for the front. Written on the fly leaf of the Testament was a text and a hymn, and Mr. Ledger fittingly used the text as the basis of an address,  "Fight the good fight," and the congregation joined in singing the words of the hymn, "There is a green hill far away."