Military History

Reginald is listed as being killed in action on 14 Jul 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary for the 13th and 14th July are transcribed below along with two reports from the Stratford Herald.

Bouzincourt 13-7-1916: Fine & warm at 1.30pm Battn moved by motor lorries to just outside Bouzincourt from there we moved in fighting order to Albert where lay down in a field until midnight having had orders thast the Bttn would attack NE of La Boisselle at 7.30am

NE of La Boisselle 14-7-1916: Moved into position in trenches and were heavily shelled going into La Boisselle. At 7.30am, after artillery preparation A&B Coys [including Roland] proceeded to assault. They reached their objective. Many casualties resulted chiefly from machine guns the following officers being killed 2nd/Lt Bullock and the following attached officers of the 3rd Dorset Regiment - 2nd Lt Jones, 2nd Lt Baker and 2nd Lt Forman.

We held the trench for 7 hours when we had to evacuate it on account of the enemy's extremely heavy enfilade fire both shell and machine guns. Lieut Col Knox who led the attack and had shown the greatest bravery thoughout was wounded later. Major Hanson them took command of the Bttn.

Our casualties estimated at 150 of whom 68 were reported killed.

Stratford Herald Friday 18th August 1916 - CORPORAL R.J. WOODWARD

Mr. and Mrs. F. Woodward of Bordon View, Evesham Road, have just received from the Territorial Force Record Office, Warwick a notification that their only son was posted as missing after an engagement in France on July 14th. Corporal Woodward, who is 23 years of age, enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and crossed the Channel twelve months last March. He renewed acquaintance with several old friends the week before Easter, when he was home on leave.

Stratford Herald Friday 13th April 1917 - CORPORAL REGINALD J. WOODWARD

A report has been received from the War Office notifying the death of Corporal Reginald J. Woodward of the 7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment which occurred with the British Expeditionary Force in France on 14th July of last year. Previously this young soldier was reported as missing. Before joining up he was employed with Messrs. Kendal & Sons.