Private 17099 John James Woodall


Woodall John 96 428x600


Died Home on Tuesday, 29th October 1918, age 23.
Buried in Grave X. 7911. at West Bromwich Cemetery, West Bromwich, Staffs, United Kingdom.

6th Bn., South Wales Borderers. Pioneer Battalion of 30th Division.

Son of Mr and Mrs J. Woodall, of 8, Queen St., Hill Top, West Bromwich.
Born: Princes End, Enlisted: Newport, Mon., Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 24th September 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395619/


Genealogical Data

Birth of John James Woodall registered September quarter 1896 in Dudley.

1901 Census
6 Victoria Street, Princes End, Tipton, Staffs.
James Woodhall (39, Groom Stableman, born Princes End), his wife Caroline (31, born Princes End), and their 3 children: Lily (12, born Princes End), Ernest (10, born Princes End), and James (4, born Princes End).

1911 Census
6 Lee Street, Hill Top, West Bromwich, Staffs.
James Woodhall (46, Labourer in Ironworks, born Sedgley), his wife Caroline (42, born Sedgley), and their 3 children: Lily Haddon (20, born Sedgley), Ernest (18, Tube Screwer, born Sedgley), and James (15, Tag Heater, born Sedgley). Also Harry Haddon (son-in-law, 25, Groom, born West Bromwich), Elizabeth Norman (boarder, 60, retired Domestic Servant, born West Bromwich), and Elsie Eaves (visitor, 3, born Bilston).


Personal Data

As John James Woodall enlisted in Newport, Monmouthsire, it can be assumed that he was then resident in Newport. He most likely moved there for work purposes. His surname is variously spelt as Woodall and Woodhall.

John Woodall (Soldier No. 17099) enlisted in Newport, Monmouthshire, in approximately August 1914. Joseph Fellows (Soldier No. 17106) also enlisted in Newport, Monmouthshire, at the same time. As both men were born in Tipton, working in Wales, and enlisting at the same time, it is a fair assumption that they were known to each other, most likely pals. Ironically, they survived almost the entirity of the war before dying within days of each other, John on 29th October 1918 and Joseph on 31st October 1918. Their deaths did not result from military action, but possibly from the effects of the flu pandemic which was close to its peak in October 1918.

After John's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £12/8/6d (12 pounds, 8 shillings and 6 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Caroline, in September 1919. His War Gratuity was £24/0/0d (24 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his mother in September 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that John had enlisted in approximately August 1914. Caroline also received a pension of 5/6d (5 shillings and 6 pence) per week, commencing 30th June 1919.


Action resulting in his death

When John joined the 6th South Wales Borderers they were an infantry battalion in 76th Brigade of 25th Division. In February 1915, while they were still training in England, they became the Pioneer Battalion for the 25th Division. In July 1918, they became the Pioneer Battalion for the 30th Division.

John is recorded as having 'Died of disease' at home (at 8 Queen Street, Hill Top, West Bromwich) on 29th October 1918. The precise nature of the disease is not known, but the second wave of  the 1918 influenza pandemic was at its peak during October/November 1918. John is buried in West Bromwich Cemetery.


Newspaper Cuttings

None.