Oliver Woodward
Encyclopedia
Oliver Holmes Woodward CMG
, MC
& Two Bars
(8 October 1885 – 24 August 1966) was an Australian metallurgist, mine manager and soldier noted for his tunneling activities at the Ypres Salient
during the First World War.
Woodward was born in Tenterfield, New South Wales
to a pioneering family of Scottish ancestry who had been among the first settlers in the district. He was educated at public schools and for two years at Newington College
(1903–1904). After the war he held many senior positions in the mining industry.
The 2010 film Beneath Hill 60
is based on his exploits during the First World War with the 1st Australian Tunneling Company. Early in 1917 the company took over tunneling operations under German lines and safeguarded two mines, one (Hill 60) charged with 53,000 lb. (24,041 kg) of explosives and the other (The Caterpillar) with 70,000 lb. (31,752 kg). The mines had been earlier laid by the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. At the start of the Battle of Messines, on the 7th June, 1917, Captain Woodward had the duty of detonating the two mines.
Woodward was awarded a Military Cross
and Two Bars, for the following three actions:
Le Touquet: 10–11 June 1916. Military Cross; "For conspicuous gallantry and determination when, after repeated attempts under very difficult circumstances, he succeeded in blowing up a ruined house 120 yards from our trenches. This house had been frequently used as an enemy sniper post." The ruined house was known as "The Red House".
Bony: 29 September 1918. Bar to Military Cross; "On September 29th, 1918, at Bony, he was in charge of three sections working on a forward road, under heavy enemy shell and machine-gun fire. Owing to the infantry advance being checked, the position on the forward road became very involved. By his courage and resourcefulness in patrolling the road and organising the work he succeeded in carrying the work forward, thus enabling the subsequent attacks to be carried through. He set a fine example to his men at a time when casualties were heavy and rendered throughout the day very valuable and accurate reports."
Rejet de Beaulieu: 4 November 1918. 2nd Bar to Military Cross; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of the 3rd/4th November 1918, at Rejet de Beaulieu, when his section was entrusted with the construction of a heavy bridge to carry tanks. The successful completion of this work within five hours after zero was mainly due to his detailed preparations made at very short notice under intense artillery and machine-gun fire."
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
& Two Bars
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(8 October 1885 – 24 August 1966) was an Australian metallurgist, mine manager and soldier noted for his tunneling activities at the Ypres Salient
Ypres Salient
The Ypres Salient is the area around Ypres in Belgium which was the scene of some of the biggest battles in World War I.In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. Therefore, the salient is surrounded by the enemy on three sides, making the troops...
during the First World War.
Woodward was born in Tenterfield, New South Wales
Tenterfield, New South Wales
Tenterfield is a town in New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the New England region at the intersection of the New England and Bruxner Highways. Tenterfield is a three-hour drive from Brisbane, 2.5 hours from Byron Bay, two hours from Armidale, New South Wales and 10 hours from Sydney....
to a pioneering family of Scottish ancestry who had been among the first settlers in the district. He was educated at public schools and for two years at Newington College
Newington College
Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
(1903–1904). After the war he held many senior positions in the mining industry.
The 2010 film Beneath Hill 60
Beneath Hill 60
Beneath Hill 60 is a 2010 Australian war film directed by Jeremy Sims and written by David Roach.Set during World War I, the film tells the story of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company’s effort to mine beneath a German bunker and detonate an explosive charge to aid the advance of British troops...
is based on his exploits during the First World War with the 1st Australian Tunneling Company. Early in 1917 the company took over tunneling operations under German lines and safeguarded two mines, one (Hill 60) charged with 53,000 lb. (24,041 kg) of explosives and the other (The Caterpillar) with 70,000 lb. (31,752 kg). The mines had been earlier laid by the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. At the start of the Battle of Messines, on the 7th June, 1917, Captain Woodward had the duty of detonating the two mines.
Woodward was awarded a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
and Two Bars, for the following three actions:
Le Touquet: 10–11 June 1916. Military Cross; "For conspicuous gallantry and determination when, after repeated attempts under very difficult circumstances, he succeeded in blowing up a ruined house 120 yards from our trenches. This house had been frequently used as an enemy sniper post." The ruined house was known as "The Red House".
Bony: 29 September 1918. Bar to Military Cross; "On September 29th, 1918, at Bony, he was in charge of three sections working on a forward road, under heavy enemy shell and machine-gun fire. Owing to the infantry advance being checked, the position on the forward road became very involved. By his courage and resourcefulness in patrolling the road and organising the work he succeeded in carrying the work forward, thus enabling the subsequent attacks to be carried through. He set a fine example to his men at a time when casualties were heavy and rendered throughout the day very valuable and accurate reports."
Rejet de Beaulieu: 4 November 1918. 2nd Bar to Military Cross; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of the 3rd/4th November 1918, at Rejet de Beaulieu, when his section was entrusted with the construction of a heavy bridge to carry tanks. The successful completion of this work within five hours after zero was mainly due to his detailed preparations made at very short notice under intense artillery and machine-gun fire."