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Robert James Woollacott enlisted in the British Army in Stafford, Staffordshire, England on 3 September 1914 to the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, Caterham, Surrey and Aldershot, Hampshire.

The 1st Battalion saw operations in France and Flanders against the Germans:

22nd December 1914 – Departed England for France.
27th December 1914 – Arrived Bethune.
1st January 1915 – To Annequinn and positions consolidated.
2nd January 1915 – Into the trenches at Givenchy for three weeks.
25th January 1915 – Sustained German attack at Cuinchy and took a reconnoitring party into the trenches held by the Germans. Promoted corporal for gallantry in the field.
A week’s rest at Bethune and four weeks reorganising in Equedecques.
Then to Richebourg.
10-13 March 1915 – Battle of Neuve Chapelle
Sick leave away for two months.
June 1915 - To Bethune and billets where numerous gallantry awards were issued.

Awarded Mention in Despatches vide London Gazette of 22nd June 1915 on the basis of a despatch dated 5th April1915 as Lance Sergeant for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

June 1915 - To Cambrin
July 1915 – To Vermelles
3rd September 1915 – a full sergeant in charge of a platoon. Trenches held from June to now at Cuinchy, Cambuin and Vermelles.

28th September 1915 – Died at Vermelles near Neuve Chapelle having been hit by a large piece of shell shrapnel.

Commemorated at Loos Memorial Panel 7 and 8, France.
Awarded 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal 1914-1919.

Credited to:
Research by Lieutenant Colonel Neil C. Smith AM Retd
Mostly Unsung Military History Research and Publications
And SGT Woollacott’s personal memoir in a letter dated 5 September 1915, published in the Burra Record on 10 November 1915, Page 5.

1st Battalion, The Coldstream Guards were based in Aldershot with the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France almost at once, landing at le Havre on the 14th, being amongst the first troops of the British Expeditionary Force. They fought in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers. On the 25th of August 1915 they transferred to 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division and were in action in The Battle of Loos.

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/175955-1st-battalion-coldstream-guards/
Source:Lancashire Fusilier

The entry in the battalion war diary says (TNA WO95/1263):
23rd January 1915
CAMBRIN
The Battalion left CAMBRIN and went into the trenches at CUINCHY, relieving the London Scottish – Trenches had not been completed. Communication trenches bad and some trenches full of water – heavy rain all night.

24th January 1915
CUINCHY
The Germans shelled the position most of the day with their heavy guns – most of the fire being directed on PONT FIXE. Impossible for working parties to be utilized on improving the trenches.

25th January 1915
CUINCHY
About 7am a German deserter came in and reported an attack imminent. The German attack commenced by the explosion of a mine in the trench held by No. 4 Coy. under Capt. Campbell. The first line of trenches were consequently rushed by the Germans. No. 1 Coy. on the embankment by the La Bassee Canal held its ground and No. 2 Coy. under Lt. Viscount Acheson held on to the keep and Brickstacks and repelled the German attacks. The Scots Guards on our immediate right shared a similar fate but were able to maintain a stand at the Brickfields Reinforcements and London Scottish, Black Watch and Cameron Highlanders were sent up and a counter attack was made but it was found impossible to dislodge the Germans from the front trenches they had taken. Major Hon. C. Willoughby took on the command during the day from Lt. Col. Ponsonby [admitted subsequently to hospital with Bronchitis]. The Battalion remained in position during the night of Jan. 25th.

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/131643-1st-bn-coldstream-guards-2511915/ Source:Sue Light