John Charles Woods

Story:
John Charles Woods was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1st March 1900 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 5th April 1900, the son of Charles John Woods and Harriet Woods (née Pickford).  He spent all his life, apart from a short period of Military Service, in and around St. James Street/Gold Hill area of Shaftesbury.  By 1911 he was living with his family at 16 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury.  He enlisted on the 2nd April 1918 and  was assigned to the Training Reserve of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 12028) he was transferred almost immediately to the 'B' Company of 53rd (YS) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment with new Service No. TR/7/25443.  He served his whole time in the UK and it appears there are no medal records.  He was discharged on 20th February 1919.  The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents at 45 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Labourer for Brockway Bros, Shaftesbury.  He married Agnes Louisa Gray at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st June 1925 and they went on to have nine children.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 52 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset,  working as a Motor Lorry Driver.  He died in Shaftesbury in 1970. His father, Charles John Woods, also served in the conflict, with the Dorsetshire Regiment. His brother Reginald James served with the South Wales Borderers and the Labour Corps.