The AIF Project

Percy William WOODS

Regimental number85
Date of birth8 November 1885
Place of birthSydney, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationOperator
Address176 Rochford Street, Erskineville, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation28
Next of kinE E Woods, 176 Rochford Street, Erskineville, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date27 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name3rd Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/20/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 19 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant-Colonel
Unit from Nominal Roll55th Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 3rd Battalion
Promotion date: 19 May 1915

Lieutenant


Unit: 3rd Battalion
Promotion date: 7 August 1915

Captain


Unit: 55th Battalion
Promotion date: 12 March 1916

Temporary Major


Unit: 55th Battalion
Promotion date: 1 January 1917

Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: 55th Battalion
Promotion date: 19 June 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Supplement, No. 29455 (28 January 1916); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 44 (6 April 1916).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 30706 (28 May 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 (24 October 1918).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and gazetted, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 30448 (28 December 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 (18 April 1918).

FateReturned to Australia 23 October 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Fredrick and Isabel WOODS
Medals

Distinguished Service Order


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57
Date: 18 April 1918

Bar to DSO

'For conspicuous gallantry and able handling of his battalion on 1st and 2nd September, 1918, north of Peronne. The position being obscure after an attack, he went forward personally and consolidated the line under heavy shell and machine gun fire. The two officers and a runner with him were killed, but he continued his work, and completed consolidation. His courage and devotion to duty greatly inspired his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Military Cross


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917

Discharge date22 February 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Appointed Acting Quartermaster, Gallipoli (undated). Transferred to 55th Battalion, Tel-el-Kebir, 13 February 1916. Appointed Adjutant, 55th Battalion, 6 September 1916. Embarked from Alexandria to join British Expeditionarg Force, 19 June 1916. Given temporary command of 55th Battalion, 10 January 1917; command ceased, 30 January 1917. Assigned to temporary command of 55th Battalion, 15 March 1917; temporary command ceased, 5 April 1917. Appointed to command 55th Bn, 19 June 1917.

Medals: Distinguished Service Order & Bar, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Mentioned in Despatches 4 times

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Date of death5 January 1937
Age at death52
Place of burialRoodwood Crematorium, New South Wales

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