WOODS, Augustus Oliver
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 May 1915, Hobart, Tasmania |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia, 24 September 1885 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Oatlands State School |
| Occupation: | Ironmonger |
| Died: | Killed In Action, France, 2 September 1918, aged 32 years |
| Cemetery: |
Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension III E 2 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hobart Roll of Honour, Oatlands State School Great War Honour Roll, Scottsdale Municipality Pictorial HR |
World War 1 Service
| 3 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, Hobart, Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 26th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Jun 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Brisbane | |
| 1 Mar 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, The Outpost Villages - German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line | |
| 2 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Major, 26th Infantry Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 26th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Major awm_died_date: 1918-09-02 |
Letter from the front
The following extracts from a letter written during the voyage to Egypt, between dates of 8th and 28th July, by Lieut A. O Woods, who enlisted at Scottsdale, have been forwarded to us by Mrs Woods, who is at present in Queensland:—
Sunday—It is fairly early and I am not up yet, in fact I have hardly been up for a couple of days. It has been a bit rough coming through the Bight, and not being a good sailor have spent a good deal of time in my bunk, although I am not very sick, and so far have only missed one meal and that one I went to sleep and forgot about it. A good many are really down to it, both officers and men. We had a very nice time in Sydney and they gave us a good send off from there. Hope you received my wire alright. I gave it to a friendly policeman on the wharf, and he promised to send it for me. We have not been able to do much work on board yet, on account of rough weather, and there is not much room to spare when all are on deck.
Monday — Have a few minutes to spare before dinner but as the jolly boat is rolling you must excuse any unnecessary dashes. I feel splendid to-day, and am throughly enjoying the rolling and tossing; have found my sea legs properly now. I have been orderly officer and a very amusing thing happened while I was inspecting meals. An orderly, coming down stairs with a big can of food, slipped and tried to race the contents of can, consequently there was a mix up at the bottom. Just had dinner, and it was fun to see things slide along the table when the boat gave an extra roll, also to see those sitting round grab at anything.
Tuesday— Have just written notes for lecture to-morrow, it takes a lot of time eading up as we have to give two lectures a day, usually about two hours. Guess I shall run dry before long, but I have my N.C.O.'s on the job, and they all have a go. We get our first glimpse of land again this afternoon, somewhere about Albany. Have a cabin all to my self and am very cosy. The steward is a really good sort, and ships officers are all very nice.
Friday (Somewhere in the Indian Ocean) — Up to Tuesday we were hoping to go into Freemantle, but all we saw of the last of Australia was some low lying hills on the coast a long way off, somewhere in W.A. The jolly old boat is still rolling and has done so all the way. This morning waves were breaking over the upper deck and all parades had to be cancelled. At a meeting of officers of the 26th, it was decided to hold sports on Saturday 17th. Lieut Murdoch and self were appointed joint secretaries so that will keep us busy.
Sunday—Have been orderly officer all day and am now on guard from 8 p. m. to
12. We have two ministers on board, both Church of England, they take one end of the ship each. We had service in the morning and evening, and I enjoyed both. We can feel it getting warmer every day now, and today has been much calmer. Have been able to sit down to meals with out the plates cups, etc., sliding off the table. Yesterday the first edition of our news paper was published, called "Blue Funnel Roller"; it is coming out weekly. We had a very impressive scene on board yesterday, the burial of one of the 25th men, who died from pneumonia. Most of the men, are very well and well looked after, plenty of books, games, etc. The officer's mess is splendid, and the band plays during dinner at night. We have two bands so they take it in turns to play. Thursday— Just had a cold shower, and will write a few lines before going to bed. We are nearing the equator, and it is getting warm now. Had a very sad experience today. A man in my platoon died during the night, and the whole platoon paraded at the burial, and supplied the firing party.
Tuesday — Am now writing in the Northern Hemisphere. We stepped across the Line on Sunday. We had our sports on Saturday afternoon, with 400 entries for the different events, and they went off well. They had boxing in the morning, but I don't see much sport in that in this hot weather. We have bathing parades every morning, and as the men's shower bath only takes four at a time, we got two 3in hoses fixed up, and one chap holds the nozzle and does six or eight at a time. They think it great. It is lovely being up on the top deck these hot evenings, especially while it is moonlight. We spend a lot of time there.
Wednesday— We have had the first glimpse of land today for nearly three weeks. It was quite exciting to see everyone with glasses. We could see little mud villages and niggers on the shore, and could also see a camel a good way off. Gee! but it's hot now. Last night it blew a bit; I had my port open, and about two o'clock was awakened with a shower bath. A wave came in and drenched everything. The floor was awash, but it soon dried up, as it in so warm.
Kind regards to all friends.
Submitted 9 August 2024 by Faithe Jones
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of James Oliver Woods and Fanny Woods; husband of Edith E. Woods, of Brisbane, Queensland.
Mrs. Woods has recently received a cablegram from her husband, Captain A. O. Woods, M.C., stating that he has been promoted to the rank of major, and is well. Major Woods has been on active service abroad for over three years, and during that time served with the A.I.F. on Gallipoli and in France. He has been wounded on three occasions, and is still serving with his battalion in France.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Woods of No. 5 Devonshire Square. have received official notification that their only son, Major Augustus Oliver Woods, M.C., who had been wounded on three previous occasions, had been killed in action in France on September 2.
Major Woods left Tasmania as a second lieutenant, with the 26th Battalion early in 1915, and after serving at Gallipoli was transferred to France, where he earned the Military Cross. Prior to enlisting he resided at Scottsdale, where he was manager of Simpson's ironmongery store, which position be resigned to join the AIF.
The late Major Woods married Miss Edith Ward, a daughter of Mrs Ward, of Toogoolawa, Holebrook Place. His widow is at present in Queensland.
Biography contributed by John Edwards
"...2nd Lieutenant Augustus Oliver Woods, MC, C Company, 26th Battalion, of Oatlands, Tas. An ironmonger prior to enlistment, he embarked from Brisbane, Qld, on board HMAT Aeneas (A60) on 29 June 1916. In August 1915 he was promoted to the rank Lieutenant and then in August 1916 to the rank of Captain. Woods was awarded the Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of 1/2 March 1917 he rallied his men under heavy fire, and led them forward into the enemy's trench. He was wounded. He has at all times set a fine example of courage and determination.' He was then promoted to the rank Major (Maj) in late July 1918. A few months later Maj Woods was killed in action on 2 September 1918." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Click images to start slideshow.