Main CPGW Record
Surname: WOODHEAD
Forename(s): Samuel
Place of Birth: Stacksteads, Lancashire
Service No: 13197
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 36
Date of Death: 1917-06-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: XIV. H. 4.
CWGC Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Samuel Woodhead was the son of James and Emma Woodhead, née Sutcliffe. Both parents were born at Stacksteads, Lancashire.
1881 Spotland, Lancashire Census: Heys Buildings, Brandwood - Samuel Woodhead, aged 4 months, born Stacksteads, son of James and Emma Woodhead.
1891 Haslingden, Lancashire Census: 16, Deardengate Croft - Samuel Woodhead , aged 10 years, born Stacksteads, son of Emma Pilkington, widow. [Emma Woodhead had married Robert Pilkington in 1887.]
1901 Haslingden, Lancashire Census: 236, Blackburn Road - Samuel Woodhead, aged 20 years, born Stacksteads, Lancashire, son of Emma and [stepson of] James Robinson. [Emma Pilkington had married James Robinson 1891.]
Samuel was married to Selina Cumberland in 1904. Selina married Mason Smith in 1919.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 8, Calf Hall Lane - Samuel Woodhead, aged 30 years, born Bacup, Lancashire, husband of Selina Woodhead. [In 1911 Samuel's mother and stepfather were living at 3, Ethel Street, Barnoldswick.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Samuel Woodhead, 13197, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 15.7.15. Died 9.6.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Samuel Woodhead, 13197, 9th W. Rid. R.; 10th W. Rid. R. D. of W. 9.6.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Samuel Woodhead, 13197, 10th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 9.6.17. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Selina Smith. £17 10s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Samuel. Date and cause of death: 10.6.17. Gunshot wound in head rec'd in Action. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Selena [sic], born 4.4.86. Address: 3, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
Samuel died of wounds received during the Battle of Messines, 1917, 7-14 June.
A short biography of Samuel is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BROADHEAD, Samuel, aged 37 years, West Riding Regiment, 8, Calf Hall Road, [Barnoldswick], died of wounds June 9, 1917.
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Private Samuel WOODHEAD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
26 November 1915
BARNOLDSWICK – WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL
A letter received from Pte. S. Woodhead (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment), to the relatives of Pte. Frank Lofthouse, 25, York Street, Barnoldswick, states that the latter was wounded by shrapnel in Flanders on the 16th inst. He was struck between the shoulders, but fortunately the wound is not very serious.
28 July 1916
BARNOLDSWICK CASUALTY LIST – THE LATE COMPANY-SERGEANT-MAJOR GREEN
The following letter (received too late for publication last week) from a Barnoldswick comrade in the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, tells how Company-Sergt.-Major Fred Green, who was awarded the D.C.M. last March met his death. The writer is Lance-Corpl. Frank Edmondson:–
“I have just had time to write. I have once more come out of the battle without a scratch. I dare say you will have read all about the great offensive in which we were engaged. I have been very lucky. Sam Woodhead was wounded next to me and three killed. Fred Green was wounded; he got killed by a shell while bringing him (Woodhead) down to the dressing station. W. Dacre and W. Boocock were also wounded, and a lad named Leach (all from Barnoldswick) was killed.”
Happily the information in regard to Leach turned out incorrect, for though Sergt. Wm. Leach was officially reported killed, his wife, who resides at 7 Stewart Street, had received a letter from him a day or two previously saying he was at a casualty clearing station, having been struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel “Luckily it did not penetrate the bone. I am going on splendidly, and very soon hope to see you in England.”
Sergt. Leach joined the army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was a playing member of the Barnoldswick Football Club.
15 June 1917
WOODHEAD – Killed in action in France, June 9th 1917, Pte. Samuel Woodhead, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, formerly of 8, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, aged 37 years.
15 June 1917
BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER’S PRESENTIMENT OF DEATH
On Wednesday evening, Mrs. Woodhead, 8, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, received an intimation from a Casualty Clearing Station in France of the death of her husband, Private Samuel Woodhead, Duke of Wellington’s. Deceased, who was 37 years of age, had been in France two years. He was wounded during the first big push on the Somme in July last, and after recuperating in England returned to the Front in October, after spending ten days leave at his home. The letter conveying the sad news is dated June 9th and reads as follows:–
“Dear Madam, – I am very sorry to have to tell you that your husband was brought to hospital yesterday dangerously wounded in the head. Everything possible was done to relieve him, but he died at 4p.m. this afternoon, never being conscious since admission. Tomorrow at 2 o’clock he will be buried in the military cemetery at Remy. There will be a cross placed on his grave with his name and regiment. I am very sorry I have so little to tell you about him, but he was quite unconscious all the time. All your husband’s personal effects will be forwarded to you by the proper authorities in due course. M. A. WOODHOUSE.”
By the same post Mrs. Woodhead received a letter written by her husband just before going into battle, which was found on him fully addressed, in which occurs the following passage: “It is a beautiful day and you wouldn’t think there was a war on, but all the same, the Huns are going to get hell – one of the most terrible battles in the history of the world. If I should get knocked out I hope this reaches you all right.”
Before the war Private Woodhead was a weaver employed by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co., Calf Hall Shed.
22 June 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – PRIVATE SAMUEL WOODHEAD
The above is a photograph of Private Samuel Woodhead, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, husband of Mrs. Woodhead, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, who died in a Casualty Clearing Station in France on June 9th following wounds received in action. He was 37 years of age, and was formerly employed as a weaver by the Monkswell Manufacturing Company, Calf Hall Shed.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
26 November 1915
BARNOLDSWICK NEWS
WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL
A letter received from Private S. Woodhead (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) to the relatives of Private Frank Lofthouse, 25 York Street, Barnoldswick, states that the latter was wounded by shrapnel in Flanders on the 16th inst. He was struck between the shoulders, but fortunately the wound is not very serious. The writer adds:– “There was not more than a foot between us when he was hit, along with a few more, so I have been very fortunate, this being the third time since I came out. Where we are now is the worst part of the line, the trenches at the best being up to the knees in water, but we can stand it as well as the ‘sausages’, and more than hold our own with them; in fact the war may finish as sudden as it started. I hope so at least. As regards myself, I am in the pink and the best of spirits, hoping you are the same.”
Private Lofthouse has since arrived at Edmonton Hospital, London.
28 July 1916
THE LATE COMPANY-SERGEANT-MAJOR GREEN
The following letter (received too late for publication last week) from a Barnoldswick comrade in the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, tells how Company-Sergeant-Major Fred Green, who was awarded the D.C.M. met his death. The writer is Lance-Corporal Frank Edmondson:– “I have just had time to write. I have once more come out of the battle without a scratch. I dare say you will have read all about the great offensive in which we were engaged. I have been very lucky. Sam Woodhead was wounded next to me, and three killed. Fred Green was wounded, he got killed by a shell while bringing him (Woodhead) down to the dressing station. W. Dacre and W. Boocock were also wounded, and a lad named Leach (all from Barnoldswick) was killed.”
Happily the information in regard to Leach turned out incorrect, for though Sergt. Wm. Leach was officially reported killed, his wife, who resides at 7 Stewart Street, had received a letter from him a day or two previously saying he was at a casualty clearing station, having been struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel. Luckily it did not penetrate the bone.
“I am going on splendidly and very soon hope to see you in England.”
Sergt. Leach joined the army soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was a playing member of the Barnoldswick Football Club.
15 June 1917
WOODHEAD – Died of wounds in hospital in France, June 9th, Pte. Samuel Woodhead, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Woodhead, of 8, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, aged 37.
15 June 1917
BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER’S PRESENTIMENT OF DEATH IN THE GREAT BATTLE
On Wednesday evening Mrs. Woodhead, 8, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick, received an intimation from a Casualty Clearing Station in France, of the death of her husband, Private Samuel Woodhead, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Deceased, who was 37 years of age, had been in France two years. He was wounded during the first big push on the Somme in July last, and after recuperating in England returned to the front in October, after spending ten days’ leave at his home. He leaves a widow but no family. The letter conveying the sad news is dated June 9th and reads as follows:–
“Dear Madam, – I am very sorry to have to tell you that your husband was brought to hospital yesterday dangerously wounded in the head. Everything possible was done for him to relieve him, but he died at 4 p.m. this afternoon, never being conscious since admission. To-morrow at 2 o’clock he will be buried in the military cemetery at Remy. There will be a cross placed on his grave with his name and regiment. I am very sorry I have so little to tell you about, him, but he was quite unconscious all the time. All your husband’s personal effects will be forwarded on to you by the proper authorities in due course. M.A. WOODHOUSE.
By the same post Mrs. Woodhead received a letter written by her husband just before going into battle, which was found on him fully addressed, in which occurs the following passage:– “It is a beautiful day and you wouldn’t think there was a war on, but all the same, the Hun are going to get hell – one of the most terrible battles in the history of the world. It I should get knocked out I hope this reaches you all right.”
Before the war Private Woodhead was weaver employed by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co., Calf Hall Shed.
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