Guestbook

Laura,
A quick look on the LDS Family Research website shows there were several Thomas Woodcock's around the Wigan area. You need to know roughly where & when he was born, the more info the better the result. Also have you tried the Wigan History section on WW...easy to use.

thomas woodcock is my very special great great grandad and will always be remembered for his bravery.

Hi VP,
Yes L/Cpl Thomas Woodcock was one tremendous person.
In training for the Irish Guards we had rooms named after Irish Guards Victoria Cross winners.
I was in L/Cpl Thomas Woodcock VC's room.
How is that for coincidence

Albert very interesting piece of local history, My granndparents were very friendly with a married couple named Woodcock who lived in the same area i wonder if they were the same Woodcock family, i bet they were.
her name was Bella although that was her married name cant remember her husbands name{pity}because he was the Woodcock.

Wigan's first VC.

A VALIANT Victoria Cross winner is to be honoured with a plaque at a memorial service attended by members of his old regiment.

Lance Corporal Thomas Woodcock won the VC for his bravery and determination in defending a post on the Western Front for 96 hours before rescuing a fallen colleague and then carrying him to safety.

He was later killed in action on March 27, 1918, shortly after his 30th birthday.

Today, the Regiment of the Irish Guards is to celebrate its centenary with a visit to St Patrick’s Church, Wigan, where a memorial plaque will be unveiled during a service in L/Cpl Woodcock’s memory.

He was born in Wigan in March 1888 and went to St Patrick’s primary school.

He worked in the mines, which made him exempt from wartime service, but the father-of-three volunteered to fight with the Irish Guards.

After his heroics, he returned to Wigan in March 1918, where he was given a civic reception and a parish reception in St Patrick’s school

Having earned the VC he did not have to return to fight in the war, but he headed back to the Front to fight just days after his hero’s reception on St Patrick’s Day.

His grave is in the British military cemetery at Douchy-les-Ayette, France.

L/Cpl Woodcock won his VC for defending a post which came under attack on all sides. While fellow soldiers escaped, he provided covering fire before fleeing when the enemy was only yards away.As he crossed a river he heard a colleague scream for help.

L/Cpl Woodcock dodged bombs and bullets to pull him out of a stream and carry him to safety.

Before today’s memorial service, the Guards were to assemble in St Patrick’s Way and march to the church past the current St Patrick’s school, which is built on the site of L/Cpl Woodcock’s family home.
During the church service, the plaque was being unveiled by the Regiment of the Irish Guards’ Lt-Col Brigadier Sebastian Robert.

So Michael what is the connection? dont keep us in suspence

Does anyone know where Buckley House was in the 1800s/early 1900s around Wigan,Anyone doing family history may know.

dose anyone know of james, tommy, brian, john and freddy prescott. i no that they had at least one sister who married someone called goulding an lived in hindley. i would be greatful of any info.

Hi Everyone,
I have recived a great reply to the question I posted about L/Cpl Thomas Woodcock VC Irish Guards.
Thank you.

My father, Benjamin Halliwell was born in Wigan in 1906, one of eight children. Does anyone know of his family? Some of them moved to Canada. I believe the boys worked in the coal mines. Thank you.

Hello I'm ex-Irish Guards and I would like to find out the connection between Woodcock House and L/Cpl Thomas Woodcock VC. They have a plaque in Woodcock House, Scholes.
Any news would be most welcome.
I have been visiting Wigan since 1981 and I have always found them to be great people.
I have enjoyed the site very much. Thank You.
I used to go to both Hanley and Twiss bakeries loved the pies and cakes, now gone unfortunately.
Goodbye for now.

HI Just c in if any1 remembers MY grandad. james UNSWORTH .born in 1920 .lived in Platt bridge . E WAS an ice cream man .e married edna barton .any information would b nice THANX .im HIS grandaughter x

police helicopter annoced a youth gone missing named john! anybody know anything
thankyou x

Trying to find out anything about Frances Richards, my great grandmother from Wigan, born 1867 and died in 1907, married to James Slevin.

(We think she maybe was linked to the Bulls Head Proprietorship in 1883).

Lived Water St {Drill Hall} 1955-1958
Then Arley Hall
School Whelley Sec-mod. Sister St George's
Great!! memories

Thank you for sponsoring the girls from Bryn Vet Centre who are doing the Star Trekkers walk on Saturday night! I will let them know!

I am trying to trace any information on Leonard Hollandby Born 1895 ? Mother Annie nee Stringer and father Leonard Hollandby or similar last name as he could have changed it . He states he was a pitman in the mines and my great grandfather a Brewer. He was 34 in 1928 and travelled to Australia and married my grandmother. Any information would be good Thanks

hi barbara,
i went away in may just for afew days, i needed the rest after decorating myself, no is not a nice job. anyway its nice to hear from you again. elaine as my e-mail address. speak soon . x

Hi Lorraine saw your email. Have been on holiday and busy with the grandchildren. How are you? We are well and since school went back we have been decorating.Its a job we do not like but it has to be done. Keep well.
Talk to you soon.

hi elaine,
no that isent me, i will e-mail you 2moz now i have your address. x