Monica Foggin

My step-gt-grandfather was a William Henry Woodward, who was a private in the RMLI - here is his biography:

William Henry Woodward was born on 23 May 1864 at Sherborne St, Lechlade, Gloucs. His parents were Henry, a farm labourer, and Mary Ann Woodward nee Selwood.

Enlistment date and place unknown, but was stationed in Plymouth, Devon where he married a widow, Alice Adele Harvey nee Payne on 21 Dec 1890 at the Plymouth Registry Office. At the time William was aged 26 and Alice was 30. They were both living in Gilwell St. They had two sons, both bn in Plymouth: Albert Edward, bn 24 Sept 1891 and Frederick Charles bn 9 Dec 1892. Both boys attended the Royal Marines School in Stonehouse.

At some time during the next 6 years, William was sent to Australia with his regiment, where he was stationed on the cruiser, HMS Katoomba. William later served on HM guardship Steam Reserve, from which he deserted on 9 Jan 1899. He is listed in "Ships' Deserters 1852-1900" by Jim Melton as "Private, RMLI, bn in England, about 33 years of age, 5ft 5 1/4ins high, brown hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion"

Nothing further is known. Would you have any info on William re his enlistment etc?

Regards, Monica Foggin. Eastwood, Sydney, Australia.

mailto:foggin@matra.com.au