Private Sidney Woods

Sidney Woods was born in 1898, the son of Henry Edmund Woods and his wife Mary Ann. He had three brothers, and one sister. Sidney enlisted in the 10th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, also known as the Grimsby Chums, on 29th September 1914 at Boston Sidney served in this country from 29th September 1914 to 7th January 1916, embarking for France on 8th January 1916. On the evening of 8th April 1917, following two days rest at a tented camp at Louez near Arras, the 10th Battalion returned to the trenches to support the taking of Vimy Ridge. On 9th April, Easter Sunday, the attack began, but the men were hampered by muddy trenches which were difficult to exit and heavy German bombardment by high explosive and gas shells, causing respirators to be worn. Casualties were low, but Sidney Woods died at this Battle of Arras, aged 22. He has no known grave. Sidney Woods name is recorded on one of the stone tablets of the Arras memorial.