Albert Henry Woodhead


Jun 6, 1893

Born in Sheffield, England to Henry and Elizabeth (nee Milner) Woodhead

 

Sep 17, 1908

Embarked the RMS Tunisian in Liverpool with his sister Mary

 

Sep 25, 1908

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Havelock, Ontario

 

Jun 21, 1910

Entered the USA at Lewiston, New York, and stated he was seeking employment.  I could find no record of when he re-entered Canada

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60098 (temporary number 362)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. FW Watson, sister, Havelock, Ontario

o   Initially recorded as Mrs. FW Lister

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

Jan 16, 1915

Admitted to the Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

 

Jan 19, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

  
 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

  

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Oct 3, 1915

Sentenced to 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being absent from parade.

 

Nov 16, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 6 CFA Divisional Rest Station at Locre, Belgium

 

Nov 18, 1915

Transferred to the No. 24 Canadian General Hospital where the diagnosis was changed to read Varicocele

 

Dec 29, 1915

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Camp

 

Jan 4, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and posted to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in Etaples

 

Jan 18, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Woodhead rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in Ridgewood, Belgium

 

Jan 31, 1916

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment #1 for being drunk

 

Feb 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Shock and Neurasthenia.  The battalion had just moved into the N & O front line trenches in Belgium

 

Mar 3, 1916

Transferred to the North Midlands Casualty Clearing Station

 

Mar 9, 1916

Transferred to the No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station

 

Mar 10, 1916

Transferred via the No. 20 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

 

Mar 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and posted to the Marlborough Details Camp in Boulogne

 

Apr 2, 1916

Transferred to the base depot in Etaples

 

Apr 29, 1916

After leaving the base depot he rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp at La Clytte, Belgium

 

Jul 14, 1916

Attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company of the Canadian Engineers for duty

 

Aug 5, 1916

While serving with the 1st Tunnelling Company, Private Albert Henry Woodhead was deep underground at St. Eloi, Belgium when the Germans blew a mine near where he was working.  It caused the tunnel he was working on to be flooded with water and he was declared missing and believed to have been killed.  His body was never recovered and his name is listed on the walls of the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium for those killed during the war in Belgium and have no known grave

 

 
Following the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Henry Woodhead, 95 Middlewood, Rd., Hillsborough, Sheffield, England

 
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Lizzie Woodhead, at the same address

 



Albert Henry Woodhead is honoured on the Havelock, Ontario War Memorial

 

 



Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact