57 / 128
Leonard Victor Woods (Regimental No. 1138)
L. Woods only appears on the 1950 plaque and not the two other primary
sources of enlistment; the 1926 plaque and the certificate. This could
mean he only came to the village of Redhead in the period 1926 to 1950
and his service is therefore, only recognized on the 1950 plaque. Another
factor linking him to Redhead is the naming of a street, “Woods Street”.
As no other “L. Woods” who have any obvious association with Redhead
we will treat Leonard as our “L. Woods” until we are proven otherwise.
Leonard was born in Norfolk, England and his association with the
mother country ensured that he probably enlisted early at Liverpool
Sydney on the 21st October, 1914. The 21 year old labourer listed his next
of kin as Caroline Woods. Leonard joined the 13
th
Battalion and after
some preliminary training in Australia and the Middle East embarked for
an unknown destination; that turned out to be Gallipoli. His war service
at Gallipoli was very brief when he suffered a serious gun shot wound to
his right leg on the 27th April, at Gallipoli. He was hospitalised on the 1st
May in a very “dangerously ill” condition. His leg fracture became septic
and his leg was later amputated.
He returned to Australia on 1st September 1915 and despite his injuries
Leonard seems to have had an active life including a constant campaign to
unsuccessfully gain a motor car licence. He died in 1977.
William Carr (Regimental No 744)
William Carr, while not listed on the Redhead War Memorial, did list
Redhead as his address so some of his details are included here. William
Carr was a single miner aged 21 whose next of kin was his father, Robert
Carr of Redhead. He enlisted on 8th January 1916 and joined the 35th
Battalion as a Private. He embarked from Sydney on 1st May 1916, was
mentioned in despatches and returned to Australia on 23 July 1919.
55