Harry Woods

Story:
Harry Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, in 1879 and baptised at Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 28th December 1879, the son of James John Woods and Sarah Ann Woods (née Oxford).  He lived all his life, apart from his Military Service, in and around Shaftesbury.  He enlisted with the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment, Territorial Unit, as a Private on 27th January 1896 (Service No. 3307) and regularly attended the annual camps.  However he bought himself out on payment of £1 on 5th April 1899.   He married Ella Triezia Flower Bishop at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, on 4th March 1901 and they went on to have four children.   at the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted again with the 3rd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 18187). It is not known which theatre of war he served in but on his discharge on 1 Apr 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 25 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, described as a Fishmonger. Harry died on 6th January 1936 whilst an inmate of the Public Assistance Institute, Shaftesbury, Dorset, (formerly the Workhouse).  He was buried at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 11th January 1936.   His brother, Charles John Woods, and his nephews, John Charles and Reginald James Woods also served in the conflict.