James Park Woods
Encyclopedia
James Park Woods VC
, (4 January 1886–18 January 1963) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Woods was born at Two Wells, South Australia
in 1886 and was raised by a stepsister after his parent's death. He tried to enlist in 1914 but was rejected owing to his height of 163 cm (5 ft 4 ins). Eventually he enlisted in the AIF
on 29 September 1916 after height restrictions were lowered.
He was 27 years old, and a private
in the 48th Battalion, (S.A.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
Woods died on 18 January 1963 in the Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery
. A ward at the hospital has been named in his honour.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
(Canberra, Australia).
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, (4 January 1886–18 January 1963) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Woods was born at Two Wells, South Australia
Two Wells, South Australia
Two Wells is a town approximately 40km north of Adelaide South Australia. The first settlers in the area used two aboriginal wells in the area as a freshwater source. The town was officially named on 21 June 1990...
in 1886 and was raised by a stepsister after his parent's death. He tried to enlist in 1914 but was rejected owing to his height of 163 cm (5 ft 4 ins). Eventually he enlisted in the AIF
Australian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
on 29 September 1916 after height restrictions were lowered.
He was 27 years old, and a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 48th Battalion, (S.A.), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
Woods died on 18 January 1963 in the Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery is a metropolitan cemetery in the suburb of Karrakatta in Perth, Western Australia. Karrakatta Cemetery first opened for burials in 1899, with Robert Creighton. Currently managed by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, the cemetery attracts more than one million visitors each...
. A ward at the hospital has been named in his honour.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
(Canberra, Australia).