COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

We have no evidence to suggest exactly when Ernest Woodley enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, but we know he enlisted at Abingdon. We also know that Pte. 203961 Ernest Woodley was serving on the western front in 1918. He would have been involved, with his battalion, as part of 25th Brigade’s attempt to stem the German Army’s offensive push through the Allied line, in the area of the Somme, during March, April and May 1918.

Due to the huge number of men the Battalion reported as “Missing in Action” it is likely he was wounded and taken prisoner during this time. According to the British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI. Woodley E 203961: Casualty listed as missing - War Office Daily List No.5629 27/07/1918. It later transpired that he Died of Wounds received in Action/Cardiac Arrest while being held a Prisoner of War on 9th August 1918.

Private Woodley’s body was laid to rest and he became the only WWI British Soldier to be buried at the Vouziers Communal Cemetery, North Eastern France. The cemetery contains mainly German war graves as well as some French and Russian soldiers. Vouziers Cemetery is probably more famous for the fact that it contains the tomb of French WW1 Flying legend Flight Lieutenant Roland G Garos.

According to the 1851 Census, the Woodley family had lived in Steventon since 1821 and had been living in Castle Street since 1841. By the time Ernest Richard was born, in 1879, his parents were living on The Causeway. Ernest was the second youngest of 7 children - 4 Sisters, 2 Brothers born to James & Mary Ann. In 1891 the family are recorded as living at 10 Castle Street (the house no longer exists).

When Ernest was 17 he moved out of the family home, boarding on a farm in Littleworth, Nr Faringdon and worked as a horse carter. By 1909, both of his parents had died and his older brother William had inherited the house in Castle Street. By 1911 Ernest had moved back to live with his brother’s family. This was probably the last address he had before he went off to war, and tragically did not return.

For some additional information regarding this soldier. Please click here