Military History

 

Embarked Fremantle per RMS ‘Mongolia’ for Egypt 22.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 12th Reinf, AIF.
Woodman disembarked at Zeitoun. He arrived soon after the evacuation of soldiers from the Gallipoli Campaign. Woodhouse was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermal Hospital at Abbassia with a debility 26.2.1916 and rejoined his unit 10.3.1916. He joined the BEF in Alexandria and embarked for France per HMT ‘Transylvania’ 29.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 4.4.1916. He joined the 1st Australian Base Depot 8.4.1916., then joined his Battalion 17.5.1916. The 11th Battalion fought their first major Battle at Pozieres 1.7.1916 (AWM 11th Battalion). He was admitted to the 39th Casualty Clearing Station with dysentery, then transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Etats, then transferred to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Havre. Woodman was discharged to Base Depot at Etaples 25.12.1916 before joining his unit in the field on 27.1.1917. The 11th Battalion returned to the Somme for winter and endured terrible conditions in the harsh winter that year. (AWM 11th Battalion) They were engaged in the Battle of Bullecourt from 3rd-17th May 1917. Woodman was initially listed as killed in action, however, this was changed later that day to wounded in action 6.5.1917. Woodman received a GSW to his left leg (calf) and arm. He was invalided per HS ‘St Andrew ’ to England 15.5.1917 and admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich War Hospital. His medical records show he still had lead (bullet or shrapnel in his leg on discharge) He took furlough from 18.6.1917 and marched in to the 1st Command Depot 12.7.1917. Woodman marched in to Perham Downs Overseas Training Brigade 4.10.1917 to prepare for his return to the front. He proceeded overseas to France 10.11.1917 and rejoined his unit 20.1.1917. Woodman was admitted to 1st Auxillary Hospital with Furunculosis (boils) 20.11.1918. He was fined for conduct prejudicial to good order 13.1.1917. Woodman fought with his Battalion throughout 1918. The 11th Battalion were engaged at Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert and in the advance on the Hindenburg Line during 1918. Woodman was granted leave to England in October 1918 and was admitted to Harefield Hospital with continuing funiculitis 20.11.1918.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Lancashire’ 7.2.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 21.3.1919.
Discharged 5.5.1919.
Final Rank Private, 11th Infantry Battalion. AIF.
Medical Condition NK (previously wounded)
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photo  SS 'Mongolia'. Photograph of postcard, source AWM 30367 Naval Collection
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             Hazebrouck- shell damaged store. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E2285
             No. 1 Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02402.005

Information Source
AWM 30367. SS 'Mongolia'. Photograph of postcard, sourced from the Naval Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the pPctorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E2285. Hazebrouck- shell damaged store. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02402.005. No. 1 Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 11th Bn
AWM Embarkation Roll Gerald Charles Woodman
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Woodman Gerald Charles





Cottesloe, WA.

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