Description
For action on the 7th and 8th November 1918 the fine combat citation Distinguished Conduct Medal to Serjeant Paddy Woodcock, 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
27735 Sjt. P. Woodcock, 6th Bn, R. Innis. Fus. (Bokevny. Co. Fermanagh).
“For most conspicuous gallantry near Dourleurs on 7th and 8th November 1918. In particular on 8th November, when the attack was held up by very heavy machine gun fire from some houses he, having led his platoon into position, went forward himself with two men under exceptionally heavy machine gun fire and, single-handed, captured a machine gun and three gunners.”
Award announced London Gazette 18 Feb 1919 (pp 2421). Citation published, London Gazette, 10th January 1920 (pp 464).
This action, in the very last days of the Great War, at Dourleurs is widely and significantly noted for the strength and leadership of the Non-Commissioned Officers of the 6th Royal Inniskillings at a time when the attrition of Officers and men had left only 4 remaining Officers active at this time. The War Diary notes – “Too great testimony cannot be paid to the valuable work rendered by all N.C.Os. during these operations. There was a very great shortage of Officers and N.C Os. throughout, the shortage gradually increasing with casualties. By the afternoon of the 7th there were only 4 Officers left with their Companies.”
Dourlers village was in German hands during almost the whole of the First World War. It was taken on 7 November 1918, after heavy fighting, by the 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 1st KOYLI. 21 RIF casualties from 7th and 8th Nov. buried at Dourleurs. Of interest, in Dourleurs CWGC Cemetery also lies Captain Arthur Moore Lascelles, V. C., M. C. 3rd Bn. Durham Light Infantry, died 7th November 1918 aged 38 years.
Patrick Joseph Woodcock was born, 1894, in Bohevny, Co. Fermanagh, enlisting with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 13 Nov 1915. His address given as Rossmacawinny, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, occupation Farm Labourer.
He served with the Salonica Force for one year from August 1916, then the Egypt Expeditionary Force September 1917 then to France 1st June 1918.
23rd November he was admitted to field hospital and later he is recorded on the ‘Sick and Wounded N.C.O.’s and Men of the Expeditionary Force in France and invalided Home, Dublin Record Office with an I.C.T. Right Knee and Right Thigh, admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital Netley on 2 Dec 1918’. His papers also state GSW (Gunshot Wound) right thigh as well as the ICT.
Woodcock was discharged from the Inniskillings on 27 Feb 1919
He then re-enlisted into the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Omagh on 10 Nov 1923, serving in Egypt, India and Sudan. He was at the Presentation of the New Colours by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester at St. James’ Palace on 1 Nov 1937 (see Certificate Scroll and photograph in very delicate condition-) and with them as a Colour Sergeant in Palestine from 12 Sep 1936 He was promoted to the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant, finally discharged on 27 July 1938 after 18 years of service.
He later served with the 22nd (Royal Arsenal) Battalion London Home Guard during WWII and the later Cold War. He received his Commission from Queen Elizabeth II (see below). Woodcock also attended the funeral of George V and coronation of George VI. Shooting medals and trophy confirm his credentials as a marksman.
He married Winifred Florence Nightingale, Patrick had one son, Dennis. Paddy Woodcock died 8th April 1964 in Greenwich.
Medals are swing mounted and professionally presented and framed with cap and collar badge combinations .
Distinguished Conduct Medal (27735 SJT. P. WOODCOCK 6 / R. INNIS. FUS.), British War medal & Victory medal (27735 SJT. P. WOODCOCK. R. INNIS. FUS. ), General Service Medal (GVI) with Palestine clasp ( 1042978 SJT. P. J. WOODCOCK. R. IR. FUS. ) and Long Service and Good Conduct medal (GVI) (1042978 SJT. P. WOODCOCK D.C.M. R. IR. FUS. ).
This superb medal group comes with a comprehensive collection of ephemera and personal artefacts. Laminated copies of medal index card and medal rolls, London Gazette entries. Copies of medical records and service papers which include both terms of service in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Irish Fusiliers. 
A) Commission document. His EIIR commission to Patrick Joseph Woodcock DCM, Second Lieutenant, Home Guard from 21st July 1952. The Commission is dated 22nd day of January 1953. With a letter, addressed to Captain P J Woodcock, from the Secretary of State thanking him for his Home Guard Service 1952-1956.
B) Certificate, on board, commemorating his service from 1923 to 1938 in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, (1042978 Colour Sergeant Patrick Jospeh Woodcock).
C) His Certificate of Service book from his re-enlistment, into the Royal Irish Fusiliers, at Omagh 10th November 1923. This dates his service in Egypt, India, Sudan, Palestine and Home.
D) Certificate to CQMS Woodcock DCM confirming his presence at the Presentation of New Colours (R.I.F.) 1st November 1937.
E) A poignant letter, preserved with Sellotape, dated 13th December 1918. There is a transcript of this letter which is from the Captain and Adjutant 6th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and it expresses his congratulations and pride in the DCM award to Woodcock. This letter also mentions that “Cresswell and Graham R got one too”. This refers to the DCMs awarded to 23881 Sjt F Cresswell (Dourleurs) and 21539 Pte R A Graham (Hachette on the 5th) citations Gazetted in the same edition 10th January 1920.
F) A fascinating Kent newspaper’s map of doodlebug attacks dated 1944 – in very delicate condition but extremely interesting.
G) Hand-drawn caricature of Paddy Woodcock in his 22nd London Home Guard uniform with his shooting trophy.
A further selection of photographs and shooting medallions complete this superb and comprehensive collection. Small collection of letters and ephemera regarding his death and funeral.
Mantelpiece clock with plaque and R.I.F. insignia to Woodcock from the Sgt Mess 1st RIF. Plate silver shooting trophy engraved R SECTOR H.G. OFFICERS RIFLES SHOOTING COMPETITION. WINNER LT. P.J. WOODCOCK. 22ND LON. H.G.
