Lives of the First World War

known 13th August 1915

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY Friday, September 3, 1915 Page 5 Bonchurch Man Killed at The Dardanelles. News has been received that Sergt. G. Woodford, of the I.W. Rifles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Woodford, of Bonchurch, has been killed in action in the Dardanelles. Woodford, who was well known in Ventnor, was employed as a gardener at Bembridge before enlisting. His death is an especially severe blow to the family, as his mother is lying seriously ill. A member of the R.A.M.C. writes to his home as follows: - Am sorry to say we have lost one of the "old boys" in poor George Woodford. He had been doing splendid work up in the front trench with his machine gun, and was shot by a sniper clean in the forehead. Fortunately the shot killed him instantly. This is an extremely hard country for campaigning. After I have seen what we have had to put up with, I say that every man able to hold a gun and march, should be made to take his share in some part of the war work, and also the same with the women, who should be made to do their share, so as to relieve the men as much as they are able. That is the only way to put the word "Finis" at the end of this campaign in a reasonable time.

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