Born as 'John William Woodward' at Nympsfield (Glos.) during 1887, the son of Albert & Sarah. The family then moved to a farm at Througham, near Bisley. He was one of five brothers who served during WW1 (Edward, of the Rifle Brigade, fell at Arras on 3rd May 1917). In November 1916, 57th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery was involved in the closing stages of the Somme offensive, firing upon enemy positions & receiving retaliatory shelling in return. A local newspaper reported Gunner Woodward had been wounded whilst on duty during the early part of the month & succumbed to his injuries on the 28th.

Nick Thornicroft