Born on 4 January 1886 at Two Wells, Sth Aust, Enlisted 29 September 1916 age 30, vigneron. Nok Parents deceased. Served in England and France in 1917 he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation reads: ‘On 18 September the 48th Battalion attacked the Hindenburg outpost line near Le Verguier, north-west of St Quentin. It took its objective, but British troops on the Australian flank were held up and a company of the 48th was sent in support. Ordered on patrol, Woods and two companions discovered a German post comprising six machine-guns and over thirty troops. Without waiting for the force which was being organized to assault the strong-point, Woods led his small party against it. One German was wounded, another was captured and the rest of the garrison fled. The Germans then counter-attacked. Despite heavy fire, Woods climbed onto the parapet and, while lying there, held off successive attacks by throwing bombs handed to him by his companions. So effective was his defence that, when Australian reinforcements arrived, they were easily able to secure the post.’ In 1921 he married Olive Adeline Wilson and over the years resided at Caversham, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Claremont. James Woods died on 18 January 1963 and buried in Karrakatta cemetery. Award and service medals: VC, BWM and VM. For a detailed biography see Woods, James Park (1886–1963) Extracts from Matthew Higgins for the Australian Biographical Dictionary.
