Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 33
The Great War 1914 ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of four awarded to Major J. E. S. Woodman, Lancashire Fusiliers, late West India Regiment, who was killed in action at Loos in September 1915 whilst attached to the 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers; he was personally decorated by the King on his visit to the front, 2 December 1914
Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top ribbon bar, in its Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue; 1914 Star (Capt: J. E. S. Woodman. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. E. S. Woodman.) the last three in their named card boxes of issue and registered packet, together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (James Edward Somerville Woodman) in its card envelope with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (5 £2,600-£3,600
Note: Woodman’s Ashanti Star, East and West Africa, and Africa General Service medals were sold in these rooms on 26 September 2018.
D.S.O. London Gazette 1 December 1914: ‘Captain James Edward Somerville Woodman, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Commanded three companies of his regiment in attack on Le Touquet, and afterwards commanded the section of defence which included that village.’
M.I.D. London Gazette 4 December 1914 and 17 February 1915.
James Edward Somerville Woodman was born at Clifton on 26 July 1870, son of Commander C. E. S. Woodman, R.N. From Sandhurst he was commissioned into the West India Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant on 7 January 1891, becoming Lieutenant in January 1893, and Captain in January 1898. He served with the West India Regiment in the Ashanti Expedition, 1895-96 (Star), and took part in the operations in Sierra Leone, 1898-99, with the Mendiland Expedition (Medal with clasp). In 1900 he transferred to the 4th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and served in West Africa (N. Nigeria), 1903-04, and took part in the operations in Bassa Province against the Okpotos (Medal with clasp). From July 1909 to March 1912, he held the Adjutancy of the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia.He served in the European War with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers from 22 August 1914, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry at Le Touquet. He was decorated by the King, 2 December 1914, on the occasion of His Majesty’s visit to the Expeditionary Force.
‘Captain Woodman went to France with the 2nd Battalion, and at the battle of Ligny, on August 26th, he at once, by his cool, imperturbable leading, proved himself a brave and capable officer. Before our artillery had come up and when the Germans were pressing he, with Captain Spooner and Lieutenant Cross, rallied a large number of men from different Companies and made a stand on the second ridge. He took part in the battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and those who served under him believe that he had a charmed life. Men fell around him, but he remained unscathed. At Le Touquet where Colonel Butler commanded a mixed force, Captain Woodman was in command of the Battalion, and led the attack on the village. For this he received the Distinguished Service Order. He was promoted Major.
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