Woodbury, Stephen Bernard by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Edmund Allen Woodbury, Stephen Bernard

Service Service Number Number 1494 2674 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 31st July 1917 Gallipoli Peninsula Gapaard near Messines, Belgium

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, Stephen Bernard

SERVICE NO

2674

UNIT

37th Battalion

RANK

Private

AGE at Enlistment

22 yrs 6 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Spencer, Hawkesbury River

ADDRESS

Spencer, Hawkesbury River

OCCUPATION

Orchardist

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

3 Oct 1916

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT PREVIOUS SERVICE

Showground Camp Sydney

NEXT OF KIN

Father;- Austin Herburt Woodbury, Spencer, Hawkesbury River/ Brother;- H J Woodbury, Spencer, Hawkesbury River/

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION RELIGION

Height-5’9½”. Weight-154lbs. Chest-33-35½”. Complexion-Fair. Eyes-Blue. Hair-Brown. Scar R/Knee R/C

EMBARKED

9 Nov 1916 Sydney per A24 “Benalla”

DISEMBARKED

9 Jan 1917 Devonport

NOTES WOUNDED/ILLNESS

DIED BURIED MEDALS

1-8 Dec 1916-Influenza-“Benalla” 30 Dec 1916 -5 Jan 1917-Measles- “Benalla”. 2 Apr 1917- Fargo, England- Scabies/ 6 May 1917- Etaples, France-(PUO) 31 Jul 1917-about 2.15 pm Shell explosion, Gapaard nr Messines, France / Belgium Gapaard nr Messines, France British War Medal-53120, Victory Medal-52320. Memorial Plaque & Scroll328552.

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

Disc, Money belt, Leather Jacket, Purse, Wrist Watch (Damaged) & Strap, stationary, lanyard, 2 prayer books, holdall, 2 shaving brushes, cards, photos, letters, metal mirror, safety razor & strop in case, 2 brushes, fountain pen, razor, 3 rosaries, religious cards, religious medallions, badges, religious symbols (cloth), crucifix, 2 pencils, 4 matchbox cover, piece of fountain pen, piece of shell, pocket book, note book./

WILL CORRESPONDENCE

L & H J Woodbury (executors of estate). Father/

Gosford Times 2nd November 1916 A hearty send-off was given to Private S.B. Woodbury on Monday night last at Mr R. Daniel’s residence, when a big party of well-wishers and friends presented the young soldier with a fountain pen, money belt, and sheepskin vest. Mr R. Edwards who made the presentation, delivered a touching speech, referring to Private Woodbury in very eloquent terms. Several other ladies and gentleman spoke a few words wishing him God speed and a safe return. Dancing was indulged in till morning, despite the wet night.

Gosford Times 8th February 1917 .... A cable home has conveyed the information that Pte. S. B. Woodbury has arrived safely in England, submarines, mines and diving cruisers not with standing. Late mails indicate that Pte. S. Wallbank is still training with his Company in England, although it is over twelve months since he landed in that country. This is a welcome and reliable indication of the sufficiency of reinforcements arriving from Australia.

Gosford Times 23rd August 1917 Killed in Action It is with extreme regret that we chronicle the death of another of our brave Australian lads. We refer to Private Stephen Woodbury, son of Mr A.H. Woodbury, of Spencer. Deceased was 23 years of age, and enlisted at Victoria Barracks about ten months ago, sailing for England a few weeks later. After several months training in England he crossed to France on 2nd May. His last letters home were dated 12th June and indicated that he expected to go into the firing line the following day. He was killed in action on 31st July, presumably during the “big push” in Flanders, in which some fresh Australian soldiers were reported to be taking part. News of his death was received by his parents on Thursday last, since which many friends and neighbours have called on the bereaved family with expressions of sympathy and condolence. Steve was undoubtedly one of the most popular young men of the district and a fine athlete. Moreover his short life constitutes an example of virtuous living and Christian charity that few might deign to pass by unheeding. He was indeed a worthy son of worthy parents, a worthy scion of the pioneer family that has done so much towards the development of Brisbane Water and Mangrove districts. His people, to whom his memory will ever be a pride, are comforted in their sorrow in the knowledge that he would answer the last grim bugle call as readily and fearlessly as he would the less portentous ones of his training days. R.I.P.

Gosford Times 30th August 1917 The deepest sympathy is felt by us all for Mr and Mrs Austin Woodbury and family in their sad trouble, the death of their son and brother Steve in the firing line. He was a popular lad and a real good sport. The question continually rises—do we, in the slightest degree, realise what is means, the sacrifice of all these young lives for us “stay at homes”?

Gosford Times 30th August 1917 General sympathy is expressed for the Woodbury family in their sad bereavement. Thus another gallant Hawkesbury River lad has made the supreme sacrifice.

Gosford Times 27th September 1917 Mr A.H. Woodbury has received a letter relative to the death of his son, the late Private S.B. Woodbury. The letter was written by an officer attached to the trench mortar battery, to which the late soldier belonged, and the writer states that his battery has assisted in an attack upon the enemy on the morning of the 31st July. In the afternoon he was standing by in order to render assistance to the infantry in the event of a counter attack, when about 2:15 a shell came right into the gun pit where Private Woodbury, with the others of that gun crew, were stationed. Private Woodbury was killed instantly. His grave is in a little village on the outskirts of Messines, in Belgium.

Gosford Times 20th December 1917 Note that Mr Aly Woodbury has enlisted. All honor to him for his bravery, more especially after losing his brother Steve, who fell in the firing line some months ago. New Year parcels have been sent to the 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 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: 8860125