Photo: CLS Heritage Group
15716 Private
N. Woodcock
York and Lancaster Regiment
22nd August 1919 Age 26
May my sacrifice
Help to bring peace
He had transferred to the Labour Corps with Service No. 652704.
Son of Walter and Alice Woodcock, of The Hermitage, Chester-le-Street.
His parents are buried with him.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 29/08/1919 reports:-
Military Funeral
Pte. N. Woodcock
On Friday the death occured of Pte. Neville Woodcock, Yorks and Lancs. regiment at the residence of his parents the Hermitage Stables, Chester-le-Street after only a fortnight's illness from pneumonia.
The deceased was one of two brothers who joined the Army in September 1914 and went through the whole campaign. The deceased who was 26 years of age has during the period been transferred to several regiments including the Hampshires, D.L.I. and the Labour Corps.
On joining up he proceeded to France and in September 1915 took part in the battle of Loos where he was both wounded and gassed. After a time at the base camp he was sent home to England to as hospital where he was an inmate for some time.
On regaining his health he was attached to a Labour Corps proceeding to France. He was demobilised from the army in March of this year and returned to his work on the railway at Stockton. He contracted pneumonia and with the germs of his old complaint still with him he was unable to resist the ravages of this disease and was only home a fortnight when he died. His brother served for four years in the Scottish Horse.
On Tuesday his funeral took place when the deceased was given full military honours. A firing party of the DLI numbering 21 came over from Newcastle and met the funeral cortege at the Hermitage and proceeded with arms reversed, followed by the Band of the 9th Vol. Batt. DLI of Birtley playing The Dead March.Following them came representatives of the Comrades of the Great War, including Commandant R.L. Wood, Messrs Stanger, Hutchinson, Groves, Frost, Hoggett, Sherington, A. and S., Dawson, Hamilton, Holliday, Stoddart, Stephenson, Alderson, Patterson, Storey, Hood, Johnson, Carman, Harkinson and Tindale.
The coffin was surmounted with the deceased's cap and side arms and a Union Jack served as a pall. The service was conducted by Dr F.H. Jackson and his conclusion the firing party gave three volleys and the 'Last Post' sounded followed by the band playing 'Rock of Ages.'
The family mourners included his father, mother, brother and sister, together with a large number of personal friends and relations.
Neville Woodcock is remembered at Chester-le-Street on C105.01,C105.12, C105.15 and C105.40
