Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Major J. E. S. Woodman, Lancashire Fusiliers, late West India Regiment, awarded the D.S.O. for gallantry in 1914, killed in action at Loos in September 1915 whilst attached to the 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

Ashanti Star 1896, unnamed as issued; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Sierra Leone 1898-99 (Cap: J. E. S. Woodman. 3/W.I.R:); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, N. Nigeria 1903-04 (Captain J. E. S. Woodman. Lanc: Fus.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £1400-1800

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 December 1914:

‘Captain James Edward Somerville Woodman, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Commanded three companies of his regiment in attack on Le Touquet, and afterwards commanded the section of defence which included that village.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 December 1914 and 17 February 1915.

James Edward Somerville Woodman was born at Clifton on 26 July 1870, son of Commander C. E. S. Woodman, R.N. From Sandhurst he was commissioned into the West India Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant on 7 January 1891, becoming Lieutenant in January 1893, and Captain in January 1898. He served with the West India Regiment in the Ashanti Expedition, 1895-96 (Star), and took part in the operations in Sierra Leone, 1898-99, with the Mendiland Expedition (Medal with clasp). In 1900 he transferred to the 4th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and served in West Africa (N. Nigeria), 1903-04, and took part in the operations in Bassa Province against the Okpotos (Medal with clasp). From July 1909 to March 1912 he held the Adjutancy of the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia.

He served in the European War with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers from 22 August 1914, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry at Le Touquet. He was decorated by the King, 2 December 1914, on the occasion of His Majesty’s visit to the Expeditionary Force.

‘Captain Woodman went to France with the 2nd Battalion, and at the battle of Ligny, on August 26th, he at once, by his cool, imperturbable leading, proved himself a brave and capable officer. Before our artillery had come up and when the Germans were pressing he, with Captain Spooner and Lieutenant Cross, rallied a large number of men from different Companies and made a stand on the second ridge. He took part in the battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and those who served under him believe that he had a charmed life. Men fell around him, but he remained unscathed. At Le Touquet where Colonel Butler commanded a mixed force, Captain Woodman was in command of the Battalion, and led the attack on the village. For this he received the Distinguished Service Order. He was promoted Major.

Major Woodman was present at all the actions up to May 2nd, 1915, when he suffered from the infamous German gas attack. In consequence of this he was sent to England, and for a short time commanded a detachment of the 3rd Battalion at Withernsea.

He was subsequently appointed second in command of the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and with this Battalion he met his death in France between the 25th and 27th September, 1915. A soldier of studious habits, he found pleasure in the study of languages. He was thorough in all that he undertook. Reserved in manner, it was the reserve that comes to one who has felt the bitterness of disappointment in some of the tenderest relationships of life. With those under him he was strict and not very genial, and yet they were devoted to him, with an absolute confidence.

During the winter of 1914-15 he was selected to take temporary command of the Monmouths, and in the short time he was there he impressed all ranks with his qualities as a commanding officer.’ (The Lancashire Fusiliers Annual for 1915 refers)

Woodman was promoted to Major on 1 September 1915 and was killed in action in the battle of Loos on 26 September 1915. The Officer Commanding the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers wrote: ‘Major Woodman was with us through the bad time the battalion had on Saturday, 25 September, and after orders were received to take the German trenches by assault on the morning of Sunday, 26 September, he came up the hill with us and encouraged the men in the charge. The men could not run up the hill without a rest to get their breath again, and it was then that Major Woodman sat up and put up his field glasses to look at the enemy’s position. He was immediately shot through the heart, and fell over on his side. He was a brave and gallant officer, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that he died at the head of the battalion, facing the foe. We suffered very badly; only seven of our officers remained with the battalion after the charge, and of these only two were unhit. We all deplore Major Woodman’s loss, as he was a man of very wide experience, and was of the greatest help to us. One of the last things he did was to tell my servant to get back down the hill, as the boy had been wounded in the wrist, but still was going on.’