Australian Victoria Cross Recipient
Private James Park Woods
Unit
48th Battalion
Born
2 January 1891 at Gawler, South Australia
Date of action
18 September 1918
Place
Le Verguier, near St Quentin, France
Details
During a patrol a small group of Australian troops found an enemy post to be strongly defended by the Germans and from it the enemy commanded excellent fields of fire. The position obviously required a concentrated attack, but while it was being organised Woods and his small party attacked it. Once in the position Woods killed one German and the rest, at least thirty, fled leaving four heavy and two light machine guns. Although one of the small party was wounded the Australians held the trench against determined counter-attacks. Woods retaliated by climbing on to the parapet and lying there, throwing bombs passed up to him by his comrades. He kept this up until help arrived and the captured post was consolidated.
Died
18 January 1963
Buried or Commemorated
Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth
Current location of the VC
Australian War Memorial