Oliver Woodward

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.^[1]

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).^[2] 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:^[3]

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."

References

1. ^ Australian Dictionary of Biography Online
2. ^ Newington College Register of Past Students 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 220
3. ^ "Crumps And Camouflets: Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front"; Damien Finlayson. ISBN 978-0-9806582-5-5

External links

• Beneath Hill 60 (ABC North Queensland)
• Oliver Holmes WOODWARD at The AIF Project
• Woodward, Oliver Holmes (1885 - 1966)