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Harrold, born on the 31st August 1910 at Orroroo, was the youngest child of Mary Gertrude and Frederick Arthur Woods. Harrold’s older siblings included Doreen Gray, Gwendoline May Lyall Alexander.
Harrold excelled at the tactical sport Lacrosse which he playing for West Torrens. His other recreational interest was his long serving interest in the Militia. This may well have been inspired by his father’s involvement as a veteran of WWI who served as 3931 in the 27th Infantry Battalion as a Sergeant in the Anzac Bicycle Battalion. Harrold worked as a letterpress machinist in the Government Printing Office, but his involvement in the militia was his passion.
Harrold met Ivy Merle Hobbs with the two announcing their engagement in August ’34. They later had a daughter, Marilyn, who was later to become a renowned artist. Harrold and Ivy were regular attendees at prestigious Regimental Balls held at the Palais. Decorations were invariably of a military nature, including Union Jacks and lances, as well as the 43rd/48th Battalion badges created as golden souvenirs. Harrold steadily rose through the ranks of the 43rd/48th Battalion; Sergeant in Feb ’29 ’35 Lieutenant from A to B Company in ’35 then culminating with the Military authorities announcing at Keswick in October ‘40 the officers for the 48th Battalion; Harrold was appointed as Captain.
Just a month before his 30th birthday, Harrold officially enlisted on the 26th July ’40 as SX10311 and was immediately allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He reported for duty with the rank of Temporary Captain, bestowed in April that year. This promotion was quickly made permanent. In the excitement of pre-war anticipation, Harrold and Ivy were two of the 400 invitees present at the 2nd/48th Battalion Ball held in the John Martin’s Ballroom where Harrold was one of 10 Captains present.
Early in October ’40, the Government Printing Office conducted a farewell social to ten of their employees, all of whom had enlisted. Eight of those young men were Scottish-born and all had served their apprenticeship with the Office. A presentation was made on behalf of the staff, followed by an entertaining program of items and community singing.
Harrold had been enjoying a brief respite in Coffin Bay just prior to the announcement that the 2/48th Battalion would be heading overseas. Captain Woods was given command of D Company (and captain J Loughrey of A Company). Intensive training at Woodside followed with manoeuvres, range practice and bayonet drills, plus ‘hardening up’ of the ex-civilians followed. The men were then soon on their way to the Middle East, embarking on the 7th November on the Stratheden and arriving on the 17th December.
By the 3rd April ’41, Harrold was leading his first action as engineers blew up the bridge leading to the Madalena Pass. Ironically that move was later cancelled after the convoy had travelled 40 miles as the sighted vehicles which had prompted the move were later identified as allied troops.
On the evening of April 18th ’41 Captain Harrold had given orders for a patrol to bring in an abandoned truck. Inside, the men, led by Bill Manley found six neatly stored German packs, which were quickly search for documents, plus a useful anti-tank gun. However, as they returned to their lines, they heard their fellow compatriots commanded to open fire. In no uncertain terms, the patrol made sure they were known to be fellow Australians.
A fortnight later, the battalion was involved in a massive battle, beginning on the 1st of May, 1941. John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions at Dimra: “At 3:50 am on 1st May the men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.”
The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a sandstorm raged. This was followed the next morning by a terrific dust storm. Mark Johnson in his recent book, ‘Derrick In His Own Words’ explained that ‘On 1 May the 2/48th suffered 51 casualties, including 16 killed. In the sparseness of his journal entries, Derrick captures the horror of war and the brutal effects of losing a mate. He writes “2 May 1941 (Friday)Behind the Blue Line, Tobruk, Libya. Out early after a terrible experience – digging in about 1½ miles from front line. 2/10th going forward now – the 2/23 & 2/24 [were] cut about more than us. Will never forget the bloody blue of May the First. A tragic day.’
That day the battle for Tobruk intensified as Hill 209 became a focus. The 2/48th was spread across a five-mile front and little intelligence had been gathered. Captain Woods’ goal was to capture the right group of posts, then move towards Hill 209. However, his advance was held up, with Harrold deciding to move forward in short bursts, an unsuccessful strategy, resulting in the men crawling forward, getting close enough to hear the Germans talking. In the confusion a call for the men to surrender was made, before a barrage erupted. John Glenn described how ‘The enemy replied with every weapon they had. Woods was badly wounded, and Bob Carvosso was hit in the head, causing him to lose one eye. He was immediately sent back. Warrant Officer Noble went to the aid of Captain Woods but was ordered to return at once and inform Lieutenant Robbins of the position and to tell him to contact Captain Tucker with a view to withdrawing the company.’
D Company withdrew. Lieutenant Robbins then went forward with the C.S.M. to find the badly injured Captain Woods. ‘They found him approximately fifty years in front of the Water Tower, and well within one hundred yards of the enemy machine-gun post. Robbins and Warrant Officer Noble brought him in, but he later died of wounds.’ He was 30 years old.
The Mail reported that ‘Three South Australian officers who were well known in militia circles before the war, are in today's official casualty list. News has since been received that one has died.’’ Capt. H. A. Woods, who is reported to have died from wounds, lived at Malvern. He was a militia captain in the 43rd Battalion before joining the A.I.F. The list of deaths and injuries from the 2/48th Battalion, were; Killed in Action. SX7759 Pte. John H. H. Marshall, of Hawthorn SX7791 Pte. John W. Christerson, of Yorketown SX7315 Pte. Allan G. Porter, of Kent Town; SX7943 Pte. Robert H. Carey, of Portland; SX6867 Pte. William T. Gates, of Brompton. Died of Wounds. SX6023 Pte. Mervyn J. Westlake. of Waikerie and-SX10311 Capt. Harrold A. Woods, of Malvern).
Similarly, the News that week carried a photo and summary of Harrold’s life and service in the military.
‘CAPTAIN DIES OF WOUNDS 12 Years in Militia. Formerly a prominent militia officer, Capt. H. A. Woods. 30, of a South Australian infantry battalion died of wounds on May 2. Capt. Woods was first associated with the senior militia cadets, and then for 12 years was with the 43rd-48th Battalion. Up to the time of his enlistment he had spent 18 months with the 43rd Battalion. Capt. Woods, who leaves a widow, and one child is believed to be the first South Australian captain killed in the war. For two years he was vice president of the West Torrens Lacrosse Club.’

His family also shared the distressing news. Advertiser Saturday 17 May 1941, WOODS.—on the 2nd or May. died of wounds, abroad. Captain Harrold Woods, 2nd A.I.F., dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Woods, 30 Anstey Crescent, Galway Gardens. Beloved brother of Doreen, Gwen, Lyall. WOODS—On the 2nd of May, died of wounds, abroad. Captain Harrold Woods, 2nd A.I.F., dearly beloved husband of Ivy and father of Marilyn, Malvern avenue, Malvern.

Four months later, Ivy gave an impassioned speech at an A.I.F. rally to encourage more enlistees in September ’41. It was then published in the News.
“THERE was a man in this war who had been in action for a long time with his battalion. They came out for a spell. As there were no fresh troops to relieve them, they were called up hurriedly. This man was badly wounded. He died from those wounds. "I have since received word from a doctor abroad that if his system had not been so run down, he would have been able to resist those wounds and would have lived. "That man was my husband." This was the moving story of Mrs. I. M. Woods, of Malvern, widow of Capt. H. A. Woods, at an A.I.F. recruiting rally at Elder Park yesterday. It was her first public speech. So that the tragedy should not be repeated she appealed to women to release their menfolk for the A.I.F. Mrs. Woods said she was proud of her soldier-husband's deeds. She would do her utmost for the nation, and that was why she agreed to speak at the rally.’

Later that year, Harrold was recognized with a Mentioned in Despatches for his distinguished service in the Middle East published in the London Gazette on the 30 December 1941. His widow, Ivy was informed of the award in June the following year, with newspapers also reinforcing that Harrold was the first South Australian officer to be killed in this war.

At the Annual Lacrosse Meeting in April ’42, members were asked to consider suspending adult matches as 229 of their players had enlisted with twelve, including Harrold, having been killed in the conflict.
Harrold is now interred in the Tobruk War Cemetery Plot 5 Row B Grave 6. There is no recorded tribute on his headstone.
Nearby are others from his 2/48th Battalion; 32-year-old SX7264 Private G. R. Gully; SX6023 Pte. Mervyn .J. Westlake; 30-year-old SX10311 Captain H.A. Woods and others from the 2/1st, 2/12th, 2/15th 2/17th and 2/23rd all of whom died at a similar time.
Over the years tributes were placed in his memory.
Advertiser Saturday 2 May 1942, In fond remembrance of Harrold A Woods Captain 2/48th A.I.F. died of wounds, Sollum May 2 1941 Ever remembered by Harry, May, Graham.
Advertiser Saturday 1 May 1943, WOODS.—In memory of Captain Harold Woods, who died of wounds from enemy action in Tobruk, May 2, 1941. —Always remembered by his pal. Skeet Hanlon. (SX7681)
Advertiser Tuesday 4 May 1948, WOODS. —In memory of Cpt. H. A. Woods, killed, Tobruk on May 2 1941.—Inserted by Govt. Printing Office Association.
Advertiser Wednesday 25 April 1951, In memory of fallen comrades. — 5th Aust. Div. Cav. (Commando) Regt. In reverent memory of fallen comrades. Lest we forget -2nd/48th Batt. R.S. Welfare Club. To honor our comrades. Capt. H. A. Woods, Flt-Sgt. R. G. Sauerwald, L.-Cpl. F. N. Morter, Pte. L. A. Coombe. —Government Printing Office Association.

Harrold would have been proud of Ivy. In her 20’s she undertook a Millinery Course in ’42, gaining a credit for her work. She renovated hats while caring for Marilyn at home, then later taught millinery in the school of mines before moving to Port Lincoln where she became a highly respected business-woman selling fashionable hats at her Pepita’s shop.
She died, aged 81.DEATHS CROTTY, Ivy Merle — Passed away at Matthew Flinders Home on March 4, 1994. Aged 81 years Wife of the late Capt. H.A. Woods 2/48 and also the late J.E. Crotty. Mother of Marilyn (Mayne) and mother-in-law of George (deceased). Devoted grandmother of George 3rd.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.