Gawthorne Street New Basford // Blackwood Scouts 1912

[AndrewAdam 10]

Two years ago I chose one name at random from one Nottingham war memorial and researched the life behind the name. William Eric Woodward lived on Gawthone Street in New Basford with his mother and younger sister. Unusually for these times his mother was a painter and decorator having taken on her husbands trade following his death in 1908.

Eric, as he was known, was a scout at Blackwoods in Sherwood and was employed at the John Player factory. I subsequently discovered there is a war memorial to all employees in their Horizon factory on which he is also remembered.

At the outbreak of war in 1914 Eric was just 15 years old. Following his death in Leicester military hospital his scout master presented an album of photographs to his mother in his memory, they include photographs of Eric with scouting founder Baden-Powell.

Corporal William Eric Woodward served with distinction with the Durham Light Infantry and died at just 20 years old.

For more information / images of Eric please google his name.