Joseph Woodall V.C. commemorative paving stone
Apr 22, 2018 13:06:03 GMT
Post by shred on Apr 22, 2018 13:06:03 GMT
On the 22nd April 2018 a ceremony took place to unveil a commemorative paving stone in Regent Square Park, Ordsall, to remember the heroic deeds of Lance Sergeant Joseph Woodall.
Born in Robinson Street on 1 June 1896 Joseph Woodall was the eldest of ten children. Joseph was educated at St Ambrose Infants school in Salford until the family moved to Patricroft, Eccles where he attended Beech Street school and lived in Bridgewater Street, Winton. On leaving school he started work at George Morts quilt manufacturers on Legh Street, Patricroft, and joined the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade on 2 September 1914.
On 11 April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to a position on the La Bassée Canal in order to try and stem the German breakthrough on the Lys. Over the next eleven days it was involved in severe fighting in the area around Hinges and Robecq.
On 22 April, together with the 1st Hampshires, it took part in an attack which helped secure the Canal. It was during this fighting that Lance Sergeant Joseph Woodall earned his Victoria Cross on the far side of the canal at La Pannerie, “For most conspicuous bravery and fine leadership during an attack.”
( La Pannerie, France ) Sjt. Woodall was in command of a platoon which, during an advance, was held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward and, single-handed, captured the gun and eight men.
After the objective had been gained, heavy fire was encountered from a farmhouse some 200 yards in front. Sjt. Woodall collected ten men and, with great dash and gallantry, rushed the farm and took thirty prisoners. Shortly afterwards, when the officer in command was killed, he took entire command, reorganised the two platoons, and disposed them most skilfully.
Throughout the day, in spite of intense shelling and machine-gun fire, this gallant N.C.O. was constantly on the move, encouraging the men and finding out and sending back invaluable information. The example set by Sjt. Woodall was simply magnificent, and had a marked effect on the troops. The success of the operation on this portion of the front is attributed almost entirely to his coolness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety.
Joseph Woodall was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23 November 1918. His Victoria Cross is displayed at IWM London.
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Born in Robinson Street on 1 June 1896 Joseph Woodall was the eldest of ten children. Joseph was educated at St Ambrose Infants school in Salford until the family moved to Patricroft, Eccles where he attended Beech Street school and lived in Bridgewater Street, Winton. On leaving school he started work at George Morts quilt manufacturers on Legh Street, Patricroft, and joined the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade on 2 September 1914.
On 11 April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to a position on the La Bassée Canal in order to try and stem the German breakthrough on the Lys. Over the next eleven days it was involved in severe fighting in the area around Hinges and Robecq.
On 22 April, together with the 1st Hampshires, it took part in an attack which helped secure the Canal. It was during this fighting that Lance Sergeant Joseph Woodall earned his Victoria Cross on the far side of the canal at La Pannerie, “For most conspicuous bravery and fine leadership during an attack.”
( La Pannerie, France ) Sjt. Woodall was in command of a platoon which, during an advance, was held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward and, single-handed, captured the gun and eight men.
After the objective had been gained, heavy fire was encountered from a farmhouse some 200 yards in front. Sjt. Woodall collected ten men and, with great dash and gallantry, rushed the farm and took thirty prisoners. Shortly afterwards, when the officer in command was killed, he took entire command, reorganised the two platoons, and disposed them most skilfully.
Throughout the day, in spite of intense shelling and machine-gun fire, this gallant N.C.O. was constantly on the move, encouraging the men and finding out and sending back invaluable information. The example set by Sjt. Woodall was simply magnificent, and had a marked effect on the troops. The success of the operation on this portion of the front is attributed almost entirely to his coolness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety.
Joseph Woodall was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 23 November 1918. His Victoria Cross is displayed at IWM London.