Woodbury, Sidney by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg,Sidney Edmund Allen Woodbury, Joseph

Service ServiceNumber Number1494 285 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 16th April 1918 Gallipoli Peninsula France

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Woodbury, Sidney Joseph

SERVICE NO

285

UNIT

5th Machine Gun, 18th Battalion

RANK

Private

AGE at Enlistment

27 yrs 10 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Lower Mangrove

ADDRESS OCCUPATION

Labourer

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

2 Feb 1915

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT

Liverpool, NSW

PREVIOUS SERVICE

Nil

NEXT OF KIN

Father;- Edwin Joseph Woodbury, Mount Carmel, Lower Mangrove

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height-5’9½”. Weight-145lbs. Chest-30-34”. Complexion-Dark. Eyes-Brown. Hair-Black. Scar on R/Thigh

RELIGION

R/C

EMBARKED

25 Jun 1915- Sydney per A40 “Ceramic”

DISEMBARKED NOTES WOUNDED/ILLNESS

Married to Hilda , 1 Victoria Place Surry Hills, NSW Widow re-married F A Mowbray, Keira Ave Hurlstone Park, NSW 30 Aug 1915-14 Sept 1915- Hospital 28 Aug 1916-VD- Camiers, France re-joined unit 10 Jan 1917

DIED

16 Apr 1918-Boves

BURIED

Amiens Nth Group of Cemetries Boves West Com. Cem. France

MEDALS

1914-15 Star-17324, British War Medal-23400, Victory Medal-23231. Memorial Plaque & Scroll-343808.

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

2 Money Belts, 1 rosary, 2 handkerchiefs, 1 note book/

WILL

Beneficiary;- mother Frances Ann Woodbury (pre deceased her son at 9.15pm 16 Apr 1918) Public Trustee- re estate of late Edward John Jamieson (DOD 7 Jul 1957) late of Gundagai/ Father/ Miss E M Woodbury, Lower Mangrove, Hawkesbury River. Miss Lily Woodbury, York Street Lidcombe, NSW

CORRESPONDENCE

NSW BDM Births;- reg 1886-35490, Brisbane Water parents Edwin j & Frances A Marriage;- 1915-8367 reg Sydney to Hilda h Pemberton

Gosford Times 4th June 1915 The entertainment got up by relatives, friends, and wellwishers of Mr Syd. Woodbury, was a twofold function a welcome to his bride and self, and a send-off for himself – our first Creek boy to go to the front. The first item on the programme was a substantial tea, muc needed, as many guests had come from Sydney, Hornsby and Brooklyn. The “Guest of Honor”, bride and groom, parents, and grandparents,sisters and brothers, &c, were seated at a table nicely decorated with “good things”, in the centre of the hall. The rest of the company sat round the room, and had viands, &c, passed to them. When “toasting time” came, Mr M Pemberton (bride’s grandfather), in proposing the health of Mr and Mrs Syd; congratulated the former on his courage, and wished him a safe return when his work was done. Messrs Ivory Wallbank, and Alf Craft, also spoke to the toast. Oratory is not a strong point on the creek, bt each speaker did his best, and man can do no more. Syd did the best, when he candidly told us he was no speaker, didn’t shine at the sort of thing, but “when it came to putting either German or Turk out of the trenches, he’d do his share with the rest. Three rousing cheers and a “tiger” greeted Syd’s sentiments and everyone nodded to him and waved either tea cups or wine glasses in his direction to show their approval. Certainly the “King was not followed”, but every one knows that it would that it would never do to drink a health or bind a bargain with “teawater” in the bush. It was a great “cordial” gathering, too, judging from the heaps of bottles, &c, next day. Dancing and songs and cards, with an interval for supper, filled up the rest of the night. With the first glimmer of daylight, the folk got ready to go homewards, after sending Syd off with plenty of cheering and heaps of good wishes for his luck in the field and a safe return.

Gosford Times 15th October 1915 Mr Sid Woodbury, one of Mangrove’s volunteers, is reported ill in hospital in London.

Gosford Times 12th November 1915 Word has been received by their relatives that Syd Woodbury “has recovered and returned to Egypt for duty”.

Gosford Times 2nd November 1916 In a letter from Sid Woodbury, received this week, he says he has been stopping shrapnel again but is recovering fast. Big fighting has been going on and heavy losses, but nothing to the German side. He had a “bosker” time in England, which he says is “a great place”. The only thing he dreads is another winter in the trenches after his Gallipoli experiences. Still matters are far better for them where they are now. And he finishes up by asking “how many more chaps have left the Creek”.

Gosford Times 30th November 1916 There’s a report going round that Syd Woodbury and Percy Davis have been invalided home, and will be back for Xmas. Good news for their home folk, if true.

Gosford Times 11th October 1917 Letters from Messrs, Syd and Harold woodbury last mail. Harold has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery by Genral Birdwood. Bravo, Harold. May you retuen safely with two bars to same. Syd says they “are resting after the big push in July and having a good time, too, but they’ve earned it.” It is a pity the brothers have not yet met each other, although they have been in France nearly two years.

Gosford Times 20th December 1917 …. New Year parcels have been sent to local boys in the trenches, Privates Ern Starkey, W. Wilson, Harold Woodbury and Driver Syd Woodbury, from relations and friends on the Creek.

Gosford Times 24th January 1918 In a recent letter from the front Sid Woodbury asked the Mangrove Literary secretary “to put up a notice on the front door of the hall to the effect that there is a big fight going on in Europe and every fit man from the Creek is needed.” His old mates, he says, “have gone back on their promises to him”. Ahem.

Gosford Times 25th April 1918 Mrs Edwin Woodbury died at Mangrove Creek last week end. Two of her sons donned khaki, one of them, Private Sid Woodbury, being the first to enlist in that district.

Gosford Times 25th April 1918 MANGROVE MEMS. (From our Correspondent) Passed away last Wednesday in Sydney, after a long and painful illness, Mrs E.J. Woodbury, of “Mt. View”, Lower Mangrove – one of the best of wives, a most loving mother, a kind neighbor, and a true patriot. She was the eldest daughter of the late Mr W. Atkins, and spent all her life on the Creek. The deepest and most sincere sympathy is felt by us all for her husband and children, five daughters and three sons. Two of the latter, Syd and Harold, are at present time in the battle line fighting for their native land. She was interred in the local Catholic cemetery with her eldest daughter, Mary, who died some years ago. The burial service was performed by Rev Father Kelly of Gosford. “After life’s fitful fever she sleeps well.”

Gosford Times 23rd May 1918 Driver Sid Woodbury, son of Mr W.J. Woodbury, Lower Mangrove, was killed in action on April 16.

Gosford Times 6th June 1918 Yes, Syd. Woodbury, our first recruit, has fallen in action after three years’ service at the front. Had a letter from him in the early part of April, in which he said, “there’s a very big thing coming on and we’ll be in the thick of it” – and he was. – As well as a brave hero he was a loving son and kind brother, never failed in either writing or sending gifts to his dear ones. A strange coincidence— he was killed the same day his mother died. We all know how she craved to see her boys again. The Defence Department tried to see if they could arrange for a furlough, but it was impossible, too short of men from this side.

Gosford Times 6th June 1918 SOLDIERS’ LETTER. From the late Driver Syd. Woodbury (Mangrove) written from “Somewhere in France” on March 25 to a girlfriend:I received your welcome letters a few days ago, and was very pleased to see by your letter that you had heard from your brother, and am now waiting for his address. I suppose he is over here in France somewhere by now. I shall do my best to see him. Had the great pleasure of meeting my brother, Harold, the other day for an hour or so; he is looking well and said he feels quite alright. Both Harold and I am just due for leave to England—hope we can get over together. There is a terrible battle raging at present, and think by the time it is over it will be the greatest battle ever fought. Just got word to say all leave has been cancelled for the present, but never mind, shall have to wait a bit longer, that’s all. I feel ashamed of those bit Mangroveites, to think that they will let boys like W. Watkins and J. White come away, and also a boy like your own brother (Signaler Vivian Gardner, who was gassed and died on April 19) and none of them offer themselves. But I feel so proud of you girls to think that you are so independent as to not dance with them. But then some people have no sense of pride on duty about them. Keep it up girls of Mangrove Creek, and shame the shirkers. We boys at the front are proud of you— Ernie? Starkey, Harold, and myself

Gosford Times 27th June 1918 LOWER MANGROVE A Gallant Soldier Lad. Mr E.J. Woodbury, of “Mount Carmel,” Lower Mangrove, has received the following letters referring to the death of his son, Driver Sid Woodbury, who was killed in action over in France:France, 17th April, 1918. – Dear Mr Woodbury, Long e’er this letter reaches you you will have learned the sad news of your son’s death, so I am writing on behalf of his many friends to offer our heartfelt condolence in your irrevocable loss. Your son, “Sidbury” as he was affectionately called, was greatly respected by all, and was above all a staunch comrade and a true soldier. We deeply and sincerely mourn his loss and will do all in our power to make his last resting place a permanent monument to his memory. I am sure you will be anxious to know how Sid was returning from the trenaches with his ration limber when he and his two horses were killed by shrapnel, one piece of shell passed through his back and penetrated his heart. Poor Sid suffered no pain, as death was instantaneous. Directly we heard the sad news we rushed to his assistance, only to find poor Sid was past all earthly aid and had passed to the great unknown. May God have mercy on his soul and grant him eternal peace. Dear Mr woodbury, I am forwarding on to you as much of his personal property as I can find, with the exception of a pair of spurs which he was wearig, and a revolver. These I intend to hand over to his brother at the first opportunity. Trusting this letter will find you consoled in your sad bereavement and sincerely hoping you will find some little consolation in the fact that your son sacrificed his all for a cause that is right and just. I remain, yours very sincerely, GEORGE A. BRUSTER.

Gosford Times 27th June 1918 France, 20th April, 1918—Dear Mr Woodbury,--I am writing to you on behalf of the officers of the 5 th Australian Machine Gun Company. One and all join me in sending you the deepest sympathy in your late sad bereavement of your dear son God rest his soul. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a true soldier and a man, and died a noble death, doing his duty until the last moment of his life. He was a personal friend of mine and we had been together ever since our Company had been formed. Your sad loss and ours has been a great one—I am, yours sincerely, M.G. RYAN, Lieut., 5th A.M.G. Coy. PS-Sid is buried in a little French cemetery; the boys dug his grave, and about twenty of us followed. A clergyman from the 20th Battalion read the burial service and prayed for all his dear ones. He has truly made some good friends in his Company and know too well how we feel the great loss.

Gosford Times 1918. ROLL OF HONOR. WOODBURY – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Driver S. woodbury, who was killed in action on 16th April, 1918. In a hero’s grave he is sleeping, Our soldier so brave and so true; He fought for home and liberty, And died noath the red, white and blue. Inserted by his loving father, sisters and brothers.

Gosford Times 6th March 1919 Mr E.J. Woodbury has received a most sympathetic letter from General Birdwood (letter appears in another column) relating to the death of his soldier son, syd, and also congratulating him on the bravery shown by his other son, Harold. By last mail Harold sent home his Military Medal – only one to come to Mangrove Creek. It will be one of the greatest treasures his family will ever possess.

Gosford Times 6th March 1919 MANGROVE’S BRAVE LADS. Letter From General Birdwood. Mr E.J. Woodbury, “Mount Carmel”, Lower Mangrove, has received the following letter from General birdwood relating to Mr Woodbury’s two sons, one of whom, Corporal Syd Woodbury, was killed in action:Headquarters, A.I.F., 5th Army BEF, France – Dear Mr Woodbury – It has taken me some time to answer your letter regarding your boy, who was killed in action on April 14th last, as on making enquiries in the 2 nd Machine Coy, to which you mentioned he belonged, I found he was unknown in that unit. I had therefore to write to our Base Records Office, and ascertained he was serving with the 5th Coy of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Since writing to me you will, I hope, have received a letter from his Section Officers giving you the few details available. The Battalion was then in a line east of Amiens, and while your son was near the village of Boves, returning from the line after delivering rations, he was killed by an enemy shell. He was buried in the cemetery at Boves, and the Battalion Chaplain (whom Mr Woodbury has since heard was our late popular young priest at Gosford, Father Dwyer,ED) officiated at the grave. I feel for you very deeply in your sad loss. I well know that it is irreparable, but trust it will afford comfort to know that your boy was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice fighting gallantly for our noble cause of right and liberty. I had hoped I might be able to find out the unit of your other boy when making enquiries in the 2 nd Machine Gun Battalion, but no one there could give me the information. I hope you have the best news of him. You may well be proud of both your boys. I am very glad indeed that the gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by your son, Harold, was recognized by the award of the Military Medal, which I always think is such a fine decoration for a boy to gain. With my kind regards and again my deep sympathy with you in your great sacrifice, - Yours sincerely, M.N. BIRDWOOD.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 8860124