Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

Post War includes all operations in all theatres up to 31st August 1921. This excludes the campaign in Russia against the Bolsheviks. It also includes men who succombed to wounds post war and who died from various causes whilst still in the services but post war.

Detail :

WOODBRIDGE, Austin Hale, Captain, 1/8 Middlesex Regiment Austin Woodbridge

On the day war was declared he was in camp with the 1/8th (Territorial) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, in which he held the rank of captain, and was mobilized immediately, being sent first to Gibraltar. He went to France in 1915 and fought all through the early battles of that year round Ypres with such distinction that he was mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry at Fleurbaix on 25 September. His company was almost annihilated.

He was given a special appointment in 1917 as Area Commandant at Hornoy-sur-Somme and as Town Major of Bray-sur-Somme. It was there that he contracted pneumonia following influenza, to which he succumbed on 28 February 1919. At the time of his death he held the rank of temporary Major.

At the end of the war he married his second wife, Norah Woodbridge.

His death was recorded in the Ealing Gazette and West Middlesex Observer on 8th March, 1919 but a report in the Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette a day earlier provides a more detailed obituary:

"DEATH OF CAPTAIN A.H. WOODBRIDGE. After having served with the Forces since the outbreak of war, and having gained the Military Cross for gallant services rendered, Captain Austin Hale Woodbridge, seventh son of Mr. T.H.R. Woodbridge, of Uxbridge, has fallen victim to influenza, and passed away on February 28th, at a Casualty Clearing Station, near Honoy, where he had been Town Commandant for some time, the delayed news being received in Uxbridge on Monday last. Born at Uxbridge on 18th May, 1876, Captain Woodbridge was educated at Westminster School, and afterwards adopted the profession of stockbroker. His connection with the 8th Middlesex Regiment is a long and honourable one. Many years ago he held a commission in the Uxbridge Company, when Captain Sanday was in command, and then, after a short break, at the request of Colonel Bott, took over the command of the Southall Company, which he brought to a high state of efficiency. He was mobilised with the battalion in August, 1914, and proceeded to Gibraltar, and after a few months went to France, where he has seen continual service ever since. With the 8th he took part in the second battle of Ypres, and subsequently acted as temporary Major to Colonel Ingpen throughtout those stirring days of 1915-16, and it was for his gallantry on 25th September, 1915, that he was awarded the M.C. This was during an attack on Well Farm salient in front of Fleurbaix, a subsidiary action to the battle of Loos. The 8th supplied carrying parties for taking up ammunition, water, and bombs, and Captain Woodbridge bravely carried out a particularly dangerous work in this connection. He took part in the attack on Gommecourt Wood on July 1st, on Morval in September, and on Cambrai, besides being engaged in several minor affairs. When the Germans attacked Bray he was acting as Town Major [sic], and was the last man to leave the place, when German shells were dropping into the town. He went immediately to Amiens, which was under aerial bombardment, but so fatigued was he with his arduous work at Bray that he slept through the bombardment. An enthusiastic Freemason, the deceased gentleman was a member of the Old Westminster Lodge; he had held office in the Gosling Murray Lodge, Hounslow and was some time secretary to the Misbourne Lodge Gerrards Cross. Captain Woodbridge was twice married, his first wife being Miss Sanday, to whose deathbed he was summoned from France early in 1915. In January of last year he married his cousin, Miss Norah Woodbridge, to whom, with other relatives, the deepest sympathy will be extended by all. Captain Woodbridge was buried at Pont Neury. A memorial service is to be held next Wednesday afternoon, at Uxbridge Parish Church, at 2.30."

Masonic :

Joined Old Westminster's Lodge 5th February 1904 from Gostling Murray Lodge No. 1871. He was a Past Master and achieved London Grand Rank. He further joined the Misbourne Lodge No. 3375, at Chalfont St. Peter, in 1909.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley