The 1914-15 Star trio awarded to 24/937 Harold Woods of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who was wounded on the Somme on 15th September 1916 and again at Passchendaele on 12th October 1917 - two key dates of the New Zealand Division's service on the Western Front.

 

Harold Woods was born 17th April 1893 at Bottle, Lancashire, England. Son of Robert and Ann Ellen Woods (née Radley). He appears to have come out to New Zealand around 1912, and at the time of his enlistment in 1915, was working at the freezing works in Picton. Woods served with C Company, 2nd Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade during the Senussi campaign of 1915-16, before transferring to the Western Front.

 

Woods suffered a gunshot wound to his neck during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15th September 1916, and was evacuated to Camiers. On his recovery he returned to his unit in November 1916. During the fateful advance at Passchendaele on 12th October 1917, Woods received gunshot wounds to his leg and groin and was evacuated to the UK. He remained in England for the duration of the war, and was promoted to corporal in December 1918. Harold Woods died at Christchurch on 26th September 1977.

 

All medals are correctly impressed 24/937 CPL. H. WOODS. N.Z.E.F. and are nicely toned and on original ribbons.

 

 

Service file held at Archives New Zealand