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Frank Woodcock was born 1 Jul 1894, at Grove Cottage, Driffield, the son of John Woodcock, gentleman, and his wife Elizabeth Jane (nee Lowish). He was educated at Bridlington School, where he enlisted in the Bridlington School Contingent, Junior Division, Officers Training Corps, having the rank of Cadet Lance-Corporal. His commission, as Second Lieutenant, 1st/5th Battalion Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment, dated 16 Dec 1912, was announced in the London Gazette. He was promoted to Lieutenant 8 Apr 1914 and to Captain 26 Dec 1915. His brother, and Bridlington schoolfellow, Harry Woodcock, who enlisted in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed in action 8 May 1915; Harry's name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing.
Frank left with the regiment for France 17 Apr 1915. The 1st/5th Yorkshires were involved in heavy fighting in the Ypres Salient, and took part in the Battle of St Julien. For his part in the Battle of St Julien, he was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’. On 31 Jul 1915, while the battalion was in trenches near Houplines, he was wounded and sent away for treatment, although soon returned to duty. 1st/5th Yorkshire Regiment moved to the Somme sector on 11 Aug 1916. They were in trenches at Bazintin le Petit, east of Albert. By 10 Sep they were in the front-line in Swansea Trench, Eye Trench, and Pioneer Alley, near Martinpuich where they suffered heavy losses. On 15 Sep the battalion attacked Martinpuich from these trenches at the beginning of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. At 6.30 am Captain Frank Woodcock, was killed, he was aged 22. He was buried in nearby graves in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |