Woodward, Norman, 1912-1941

Person

Woodward, Norman, 1912-1941

1912-1941

Woodward, Norman, son of Benjamin Douca Woodward of New Jersey, USA; b. 6 Jan. 1912; adm. Sept. 1925 (G); left July 1928; PO RCAF; killed in action over Holland Sept. 1941.

Norman Woodward was born at 60, Craigie Road, Perth, Scotland on the 6th of January 1913 the younger son of Benjamin Duryea Woodward, a banker, and Gladys (nee Piver) Woodward of 26, Pembroke Gardens in London W8, later of 41, Royston Park Road, Hatch End in Middlesex and of 7, Rue des Alpes, Geneva, Switzerland. He was educated at Mr Gibb’s School, London from 1921 to July 1925 and at Westminster School where he was up Grant’s from September 1925 to July 1928. He was a member of the 3rd Rowing VIII in 1928 and served as a Private in the Officer Training Corps from 1926 to 1928. He also took part in swimming and field athletics whilst at school. His hobbies included sailing, shooting and photography. On leaving school he worked as a reporter for the Press Association in London from 1930 to 1932 and as a sound recordist for Gainsborough Studios in London from 1932 to 1935. He worked as manager of the Lawns Club at Usk, Monmouthshire from 1935 to 1936 after which he emigrated to the United States where his mother had been born. He moved to San Francisco where he began work as an assistant editor on the Shipping Register in 1936 which was published by his mother’s family. He lived at 635, Montgomery Street in the city.
He attended an interview with a view to joining the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 13th of November 1939 but was probably considered to be too young. He enlisted for the duration of the war as an Aircraftman 2nd Class at the Royal Canadian Air Force Recruiting Centre at Vancouver, British Columbia on the 12th of July 1940. At a medical examination, which took place on the same day, it was recorded that he was six feet and one half of an inch tall and that he weighed 171 pounds. It was also recorded that he had a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
A letter of reference in support of his application was written by Robin Kinkead of Reuters: - “Dear Sir, I have known the bearer of this letter, Mr. Norman Woodward, for six years. I first met him in London, in the latter part of the year in 1933, while I was working with Reuters Ltd. I have found Mr. Woodward to be a young man of unusually sterling character. I have had an opportunity of observing his conduct under various conditions, both in England and later here in San Francisco, where I have known him fairly regularly since 1937. I can attest in all sincerity to his presence of mind, sobriety, quick-wittedness, and ready understanding. I might add that his sense of humour is well developed, whether or not that may be considered as an asset. I should say his distinctive character trait is a strong sense of initiative and responsibility, together with a more than average intelligence. I have always found him a friend to rely upon, and can certify my profound conviction that he has what it takes.”
He was posted for training on the 16th of August 1940 and joined No. 2 Initial Training School at Regina on the 1st of September 1940. He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman on the 12th of October 1940 and was posted to No. 3 Air Observers School at Regina on the 19th of October. On the 6th of January 1941 he was transferred to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan and was promoted to Sergeant on his qualification as an Air Observer on the 16th of February 1941. He embarked for service in England on the 6th of April 1941.
He disembarked on the 19th of April 1941 and was posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Uxbridge until the 28th of April when he joined No. 10 Operational Training Unit at RAF Abington. Having completed his training he was posted to 77 Squadron on the 17th of July 1941.
On the night of the 6th/7th of September 1941, Bomber Command dispatched 41 Whitleys, 27 Wellingtons and 18 Hampdens to attack a chemical plant at Huls. The weather was clear and the returning bombers claiming good results with their bombing.
Norman Woodward and his crew took off from RAF Leeming at 7.54pm on the 6th of September 1941 in Whitley Mk V Z6824 KN-W for the operation. While flying near Amseterdam the aircraft was coned by searchlights and was attacked and shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf110 flown by Oberleutnant Hans-Karl Kamp of 8./NJG 1. The aircraft crashed at Haarlo, near Borculo in Holland at 11.15pm with the loss of all but one of the crew. Theirs was one of an eventual twenty three victories for Hans-Karl Kamp before he was killed in action on the 31st of December 1944.
The crew was: -
Squadron Leader Alexander John Hannigan (Pilot)
Sergeant David Thomas (2nd Pilot) (POW No. 9578 Stalag 357 and Stalag VIIIB)
Pilot Officer Norman Woodward RCAF (Observer)
Sergeant Charles Max Evans (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Ernest Charles Edward Myers RCAF (Air Gunner)
Theirs was one of seven aircraft which were lost during the operation.
His mother received the following telegram dated the 3rd of October 1941: - “Regret to inform you that information received through the International Red Cross Society states your son Pilot Officer Norman Woodward is reported missing and believed to have lost his life as the result of air operations on 6th/7th September 1941. Any further information will be immediately communicated to you.”
2nd pilot David Thomas was the first member of the crew to bail out of the aircraft and was the only one to survive when the aircraft exploded in mid air soon after he had left it. In a letter from prisoner of war camp dated the 9th of November 1941 David Thomas wrote the following on the events that night: -
“Dear Sirs, As regards your enquiry about P/O Woodward, I’m afraid I can give little information. On the night of Sep. 6 we were attacked by a night fighter off Amsterdam. The aircraft burst into flames, and I as second pilot, was the first to abandon the aircraft. At the time of the attack P/O Woodward was in the front turret. After having been captured I was told the aircraft had exploded in the air – whether P/O Woodward was killed during the attack, or whether he was killed by the subsequent explosion, I’m afraid I don’t know, but he did not leave the aircraft, because I was the only one seen to leave the aircraft. The time of the accident was about 2300 hours British Summer time. Would you please be kind enough to forward my deepest sympathies to his mother in her great loss.”
He is buried at Borculo General Cemetery Plot U, Collective Grave 1-5.

Pilot Officer J/4759; 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force

GB 2014

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition

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Full

Prepared for import into AtoM by Westminster School Archive staff, 2019-2020. Updated by Bethany Duck, Archives Assistant, September 2022.

The Record of Old Westminsters: A biographical list of all those who are known to have been educated at Westminster School from Play 1919 to Election 1989, Volume 4, compiled by F.E. Pagan and H.E. Pagan, Padstow, 1992.

Westminster School Second World War Memorial by John C. Hamblin, 2022.