James (Jimmy, Jim) Woods

Early life

James Park 'Jimmy' Woods was born in Gawler, South Australia, in 1886. He was the son of (William) James Woods, a blacksmith, and his wife Ellen Johnson. The family moved to Two Wells, where Jimmy's mother died, and locals adopted the children.

As a young man, Jimmy moved to McClaren Vale and learned to become a vigneron (viticulturist or grape grower).

Then he spent several years at Katanning in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. He was a contract labourer employed at Braeside Station by B.G. 'Ben' Green, an excellent bushman who served in an old mounted infantry unit. Jimmy's work included bullock team driving and firewood cutting for the flour mill. He was also a member of the Katanning Cricket Club.

Jimmy then took up grape growing at Caversham, in the Swan Valley region near Perth. He was doing this when he enlisted to serve overseas with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Jimmy's brother (Sylvanus) Samuel Woods enlisted in 1914 and served in France with the 10th Australian Infantry Battalion. His other brother, (Cecil) Thomas Woods, had enlisted in 1915 but wasn't accepted.

Military service

Jimmy enlisted in Perth on 29 September 1916. He was 25 and unmarried. Jimmy listed his brother, William James Woods of Hindmarsh, South Australia, as his next of kin on his attestation papers. Records show he was relatively short at 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) but tall enough to enlist since the relaxation of enlistment standards in 1915.

After basic army training in Perth, Jimmy embarked for England on the transport ship HMAT Berrima on 23 December 1916. He disembarked at Devonport and proceeded to the 12th Training Battalion at Codford on Salisbury Plain. He went to the hospital sick several times in 1917 with bronchitis, pneumonia and mumps (a serious infectious viral disease).

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On 1 September 1917, Jimmy embarked on a transport ship from Southhampton. Assigned to the 48th Australian Infantry Battalion, he was destined for the training fields of the Western Front.

However, Jimmy continued to be dogged by poor health in 1918. He was evacuated to England in January with pericarditis – probably experiencing sharp chest pains after gas poisoning. Back in France, he had bronchitis in March. Jimmy returned to his unit in May but was sick again in July.

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Hundred Days

In the European spring of 1918, the 48th Battalion helped block the main road into Amiens when the Germans launched their last great offensive.

On 8 August 1918, the Allies started the largest attack of World War I, just east of the French town of Amiens. In what we now call the Hundred Days, the 48th Battalion took part in the Battle of Amiens from 8 to 10 August. Jimmy missed the action. He'd been in hospital in France since 23 July and rejoined his battalion on 20 August.

A month later, in the Battle of Épehy, the 48th Battalion took part in an offensive from 18 to 20 September. Their objective was to seize the Hindenburg 'outpost line'.

In the heat of the battle, Jimmy led his company through heavy enemy fire, inspiring everyone to press forward. He charged enemy positions, risking his own life to neutralise their defences and provide a path for the others to advance.

With incredible composure, Jimmy worked with an officer to capture an enemy strong point of 4 heavy machine guns and 2 light ones, garrisoned by 25 German soldiers. Holding off counter-attacks, Jimmy lay on the parapet and threw bombs handed to him by the officer. The pair continued to hold the position under heavy fire.

Writing home to his sister a month later, Jimmy described the battle from his perspective. He said they captured 14 machine guns and credited his officer with the greater courage. He also reflected on the relative freedom of life in Australia:

There is no place here like Aussie, this war 'as indeed taught us what a country we have, & how to appreciate it as God's free country ... (Australian Prime Minister) Mr Hughes addressed us here a few days ago ... We agreed most heartily with his wish that he'd soon see us back in Aussie

On 26 December 1918, Jimmy was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions at Épehy. The news was published in Australia in early January 1919.

Victoria Cross citation

For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Le Verguier, north-west of St. Quentin, on the 18th September, 1918, when, with a weak patrol, he attacked and captured a very formidable enemy post, and subsequently, with two comrades, held the same against heavy enemy counter-attacks. Although exposed to heavy fire of all descriptions, he fearlessly jumped on the parapet and opened fire on the attacking enemy, inflicting severe casualties. He kept up his fire and held up the enemy until help arrived, and throughout the operations displayed a splendid example of valour, determination and initiative.

[Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 December 1918, 26 December 1918, No 31082, p 15119]

After the war

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Jimmy returned to Australia on 21 June 1919 on the ex-German liner Konigin Luise. He was discharged from the AIF on 10 September that year. Returning to Western Australia, he married Olive Adeline (Adelaide) Wilson of Caversham in 1921. They had 7 children and ran a small farm and vineyard in the Swan Valley.

Jimmy had chronic lung issues due to his war service and experienced war-related nightmares. On medical advice, he quietly retired from farming in 1938. The family moved from Caversham to Mosman Park in Perth.

On Anzac Day, Jimmy marched proudly with other returned soldiers. He attended official functions as a special guest and appeared at RSL branch meetings. His children Norman and Evan recalled friend and fellow VC recipient, Thomas 'Jack' Axford, visiting their home.

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Sons Gordon Park Woods and Norman James Woods served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. Gordon was killed in a flying training accident near Newcastle, NSW, in October 1943.

Jimmy passed away in 1963, aged 76, at the Hollywood Repatriation Hospital in Nedlands. His wife and 6 children survived him.

Commemoration

James Park Woods was buried with military honours in Perth's Karrakatta Cemetery. He also has a memorial plaque in the Garden of Remembrance.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra holds Jimmy's war service medals. They were donated by his children in 1992.

A plaque commemorates Jimmy in the Memorial Park in Mosman Park, Perth.