Private Arthur Woodward.
20481 6th East Lancashire Regiment.
Missing in Action 18th April 1916, aged 21.
Arthur was born in the Sept quarter of 1895 in Burnley. The son of Joseph Woodward and Eliza Weston. In the 1901 census the family lived at 3 Brooklands Rd, Burnley. Joseph 28 miner, born in Bilston, Staffordshire, Eliza 30 born in Tipton, Staffordshire. Arthur 5, Albert 3 and Owen 1 all born in Burnley.
In the 1911 census the family were living at 118 Parkinson St, Burnley. Joseph 36, Eliza 38, Arthur 15 weaver, Albert 13 weaver, Owen 11, Lily 6 and Florence 5. Their parents had been married 17 years and had 5 children all surviving.
From the Burnley News dated 21st June 1916: POSTED AS MISSING. NO NEWS OF BURNLEY SOLDIER.
No news of his whereabouts has been received concerning Private Arthur Woodward, 6th East Lancs since April 18th. His parents, who live at 142 Branch Road have now been officially informed that he is posted as missing. The last two letters they had from him were on April 11th. Formerly Private Woodward was a weaver at Councillor Luke Thornber’s Shed. He enlisted a year last April and went to the front after some months training. He is only 21 years old.
From the Burnley Express dated 29th Dec 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR.
WOODWARD. In loving memory of our dear son Private Arthur Woodward, 6th East Lancs of 142 Branch Road.
Though lost to sight.
To memory ever dear.
From father and mother.
From the Burnley Express dated 29th Dec 1917: FELL IN MESOPOTAMIA. BURNLEY WEAVERS DEATH PRESUMED.
After being missed since April 18th 1916, Private (24081) Arthur Woodward of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment, has now been presumed by the War Office to have been killed in Mesopotamia, on that date. The soldier was a son of Mr and Mrs Woodward of 142 Branch Road Burnley, and was one of the Patriots who entered Kitchener's army. When he enlisted in April 1915 he was only 19, and he saw action in the Dardanelles, subsequently going to Mesopotamia where his death took place exactly a year after enlistment. A colleague has informed the parents that Arthur was engaged bombing, and half an hour later he was missed. It is presumed that he was hit by a shell and instantly killed. Nothing has been heard from him or about him since April 18th 1916, his last letter being written on the 11th. He was formerly a weaver at Thornber's, Plumbe Street Shed, and attended Brooklands Road Wesleyan School and Church.
Lived at 142 Branch Road.
Arthur left his effects to his father Joseph.
Arthur is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq: Panel 19. Son of Joseph Woodward, of 142, Branch Rd. Burnley.