Current Information:

Age-23

3, Wembley Park Road, Wembley

Born-East Grinstead, Sussex

Enlisted-Edward Street, EC1

Agny Military Cemetery, France

At the beginning of April, 1917, 56th (London) Division moved into position in front of Neuville-Vitasse in preparation for the Battle of Arras which began on 9th April. During the night of 2nd/3rd April, the 3rd London battalion of 167 Brigade moved forward to dig an assembly trench that would be used in the attack a week later. They were not helped in this task by a brilliant moon and snow on the ground that revealed their positions to the enemy and soon they were being fired on by both small arms and artillery. They took shelter behind a bank but every attempt to cross this obstacle and commence the task resulted in casualties of which there were over twenty either killed or wounded. To continue would have been suicidal so orders were issued for the working party to withdraw. George Woodgate was one of those who was killed.