GEORGE WILLIAM WOODLEY

Born: 26th July 1885, St. Ives, Huntingdonshire.

Baptised on the 4th September 1885, at All Saints Church, St. Ives.

Died: 7th September 1917, age 32; died of Pleurisy and Tuberculosis, at 341, Bramford Lane, Ipswich. Served 12 years & 344 days. 

Residence: 33, Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Labourer.

Enlistment Details: Date: 9th July 1902; age: 18 years & 3 months; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft 6 1/2 ins, hazel eyes, light brown hair & fair complexion.

Re-enlisted: 9th July 1914.

Date of Entry Therein: 7th October 1914 – France.

Service:

Home: 9th July 1902 – 6th October 1914

France: 7th October 1914 – 1st November 1914

Home: 2nd November 1914 – 17th June 1915.

 Returned to England on board S.S. ‘Oxfordshire’.

 Discharged: Felixstowe, Suffolk – 17th June 1915; age 31 years. Disease of Heart.

Christmas 1914 taken ill with acute Bronchitis & Pleurisy in the trenches in France – Since then has been troubled constantly with pain in the chest on both sides, palpitation and breathlessness. Result of Active Service & exposure – Permanent.

Discharged to – 33, Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich.

Military Character – Very Good.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 6108

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 3rd Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

Grave Reference:

WW1 Field of Honour.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Father of ALFRED EDWARD WOODLEY and Uncle to FREDERICK ALBERT WOODLEY.

CENSUS

1901   ‘The Elms’ Springfield Lane, Ipswich.

George was 15 years old, a Miller’s Labourer. He was living with his parents, siblings and sister-in-law.

William Woodley, 42, an Agricultural Engine Driver, born Ashdon, Essex.

Ellen Woodley (nee Deller), 46, born Witham, Essex.

Charles James Woodley, 20, a General Labourer, born Hatfield Broadoak, Hertfordshire.

Ada Woodley, 19, a Domestic Nurse.

Arthur Charles Woodley, 17, a Carter, born Hatfield Broadoak.

Albert E. Woodley, 13, a Grocer’s Assistant, born St. Ives, Huntingdonshire.

Alice Gertrude Woodley, 11, born St. Ives.

Ethel Florence Woodley, 6, born Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Daisy May Woodley, 4, born Soham.

Bertha May Woodley, 2, born Claydon, Suffolk.

1911   66, Winsor Road, Ipswich.

George was 25 years old, a Maltster’s Labourer. He was married and head of the household.

Lily, 23.

Alice, 1.

Ethel, 6 months.

On the 30th January 1909, at Ipswich Register Office, George married Lily May Jessop, born July 1889, Ipswich – daughter of Alfred Jessop, a railway goods shunter, and Jessie Jessop (nee Ling), of 11, Tanner’s Lane, Ipswich.

George and Lily had five children:

Alice Rose Woodley, born April 1909, Ipswich.

Ethel Louisa Woodley, born October 1910, Ipswich.

George William Woodley, born  December 1911, Ipswich.

Margaret Ellen Woodley, born August 1913. Margaret died on the 15th August 1914, Ipswich.

Alfred Edward Woodley, born June 1915 – 25th February 1944 – KiA Anzio Beach Landings, Italy, age 28. Private, Service Number: 5831616, Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

Soldiers’ Effects to Lily Woodley – widow.

E.A.D.T. Thursday, 13^th September 1917 – MILITARY FUNERAL AT IPSWICH – The remains were committed to rest in the Ipswich Field of Honour on Wednesday afternoon of George William Woodley, late of 33, Beaconsfield Road, Ipswich, who died on Friday as a result of Tuberculosis, accelerated by several months in Flanders. Military honours were accorded, and the coffin was conveyed to the Cemetery on a gun-carriage, supplied by the R.F.A., the cortege being met by the Reverend S. W. Key, by whom the funeral service was then conducted. The mourners included the widow and her three children, the deceased’s father and mother, two brothers, and three sisters, and the following: Mr. and Mrs. Jessop, Annie, Ethel and Jessie (sister-in-law), Mr. Harry Smith (brother-in-law), Mr. Stanley Wilkinson (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Rouse, Mrs. Rudge, and Mrs. Bridges. “The Last Post” was sounded when the funeral service was ended, and volleys were fired over the grave, the buglers and firing squad coming from the Northumberland Fusiliers. The coffin was of polished elm. There were several floral tributes, including one from those with whom the deceased had worked since receiving his discharge. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Hastings and Son, under the personal supervision of Mr. P. Hastings.

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