John Joseph Reginald WOODS

Year of Birth:  1886

Place of Birth:  Dalby Qld

Date of Enlistment:  27 Nov 1916

Date and Place of Embarkation:  24 January 1917

Ship:  HMAT “Ayrshire”

Rank:  Private

Unit(s):  15th Battalion

Regimental Number:  7338A

Died:  4 October 1923

John Joseph Reginald Woods pic

John Joseph Woods, the son of Michael J R Woods, was part of a large family by his two wives, Bridget, who died in 1882 and his second wife Deborah who he married in 1888.

He was 30 years of age 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 9 stone 8lbs.  He had a dark complexion, dark grey eyes and black hair.  He was Roman Catholic.  His next of kin was his father, Michael J R Woods of Mount Molloy.

Two of his brothers, William and Luke had already enlisted.

Mr M J R Woods, Mt Molloy, and his three sons on active service
Lt L R Woods, Driver W H Woods and Pte J J Woods
– Northern Herald, Cairns 20 April 1917

Private Woods embarked from Sydney on 24 January 1917 on the HMAT “Ayrshire” for England.

HMAT Ayrshire
HMAT Ayrshire

He first marched in to 3rd Training Battalion, Durrington, Wiltshire then spent time at the Tidworth School of Cookery, Durrington.  He had a number of admissions to hospital for illness before proceeding to France to join the 15th Battalion.

He was invalided back to England sick in April 1918, returned to France in October 1918.  He returned to Australia on the “Frankfurt” on 1 July 1919.

He died in Herberton on 4 October 1923 and is buried in the Herberton Cemetery.

Death of Mr J J R Woods
Northern Herald, Cairns 10 October 1923

Online Resources

National Archives of Australia, NAA: B2455 WOODS J J

Australian War Memorial

National Library of Australia: Trove Digitised Newspapers

Queensland Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages

Desert Column

Ancestry.com.au

 

If you have a photograph or further information about this soldier you would like to share and add to his biography, please contact the Society at projects@cdfhs.org or leave a comment below. Thank you!

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