Belgian Corner Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Belgian Corner Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Thomas Woods was born in 1884 at Blackburn, Lancashire, he had a brother Joseph who at the time of his demise was living in Blackpool and a sister, Mary Elizabeth whose details and whereabouts were unknown. In 1891 they had been living with their widowed father at 10, Plymouth Street, Blackburn, which they shared with the Shorrack family, 2 adults and 4 children. James Woods was a labourer at the cotton mill, Mary Elizabeth only 10-years old, a cotton weaver, a gruelling job for someone so young. James Thomas (6) and Joseph (4) were presumably taken care of by a neighbour during the day, the entire street consisted of mill workers.
Having migrated to the north east James Thomas (22) was married at St. John’s Church, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, September 3rd 1906 to Beatrice Alice Pipe born at Lowestoft, Suffolk, where she was baptised July 6th 1879, daughter of widowed seaman Herbert Pipe native of Wakefield, Norfolk.
James Thomas and Beatrice Alice had a son James Herbert born, September 7th 1907 and in 1911 were living in 3 rooms at 48, Corporation Road, Hartlepool, where he was a hotel barman and had moved by 1915 to 48, Montague, Street.
He enlisted at West Hartlepool, October 11th 1915, declaring he had served with the East Lancashire Regiment for 3 years and as a reservist for 9 years. Given his past experience he was immediately assigned as Corporal service number 21, to the newly formed 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, October 28th, appointed paid Lance Sergeant, November 3rd 1915 and promoted to Acting Sergeant, February 16th 1916. Once the battalion reach 1,350 men it was taken over by the War Office and moved March 22nd 1916 to Catterick for intensive training.
Acting Sergeant Woods was posted to the British Expeditionary Force, departing to France June 16th 1916, disembarking at Le Havre the following day, attached to the 19th Division, only weeks before the commencement of the Battle of the Somme, planned for June 29th but postponed until July 1st 1916 due to bad weather. July 2nd the battalion transferred to the 8th Division and became a Pioneer Battalion. They were hard at work from day one bringing supplies and equipment up to the front line and ferrying the wounded back to the dressing stations. James Thomas was promoted to full Sergeant July 11th 1916 and twice promoted November 11th 1916 firstly to Acting Company Sergeant Major then Company Sergeant Major.
After the conclusion of the Battles of the Somme the 22nd Battalion was moved to the Ypres salient in Belgium as the attacks began at the Third Battle of Ypres, July 31st, however the pioneers of the 8th Division had already been hard at work in the area digging new communication trenches and a new railway track. The work took place under constant shelling and gas attacks. Company Sergeant Major 22/21 James Thomas Woods was killed in action, July 2nd 1917 and interred at Belgium Battery Corner Military Cemetery, grave I. C. 10.
His widow received all monies due to him by the Army, a pension of 23 shilling 9 pence a week as of January 14th 1918 for herself and their son, his personal items consisting of; leather wallet, letters, photos, silver watch, key, tobacco pouch, electric torch, razor, purse, 3 pipes, penknife and a handkerchief, also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 48, Montague Street, Hartlepool., County Durham.
Beatrice Alice re-married during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1918 at Hartlepool, County Durham, to John T. Miller. Beatrice Ann Miller-Woods nee Pipe died aged 87 years in 1967 registered at Durham S. E.
Details as regards son James Herbert Woods, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Thomas Woods is remembered in Hartlepool as J.T. Wood on H115.09 and H115.30
He is also included in the List of Casualties