249247 L/Cpl. John George Woodcock British Army 17th Battalion Rifle Brigade from:Chelsea, London My father, Jack Woodcock, joined the 17th Battalion, Rifle Brigade aged 19 in 1916.
He served in France and was wounded, at one time posted missing, believed killed. He managed to return to the line and was hospitalized in Plympton, Devon. He then returned to France.
At some time he learned to speak French and I was able to converse in French with him when I was learning the language at school, much to my mother's confusion! He also bought a violin and became quite an accomplished player, he was asked at one time to join an orchestra but did not follow it up.
He survived the war and was discharged on 1st September 1919. He later married, having two daughters, 16 years apart. He never discussed his experiences with either of us, any information we gleaned was from his younger sister, our aunt, who I believe was his confidant.
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