WOODUS Ronald Ernest

Appears on the Army casualties list for Worcestershire.

A letter from H.J. Winnington, Honorary Secretary of PCC, St James Church, Wollaston dated 17th December 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that Sergeant Ronald E. Woodus, South Staffordshire Regiment be added to the county roll of honour.

The following information has been researched by John Barry:
1939 Register
2 Cobden Street, Stourbridge
George Woodus, born 24th June 1883, Spade Maker Heavy Worker
Ethel A. Woodus, born 4th July 1883, Unpaid Domestic Duties
Francis R. Woodus, born 21st June 1910, Builders Delivery & Estimating Clerk
Gladys E. Woodus, born 24th January 1912, Machinist Seamtress
Eric J. Woodus, born 12th March 1920, Bakers Roundsman

The following additional information has been researched and transcribed by The Black Country Society:
Ronald Woodus enlisted in the Staffordshire Territorials and joined the 1/6th Battalion in the 59th Division.  This Division was part of the follow up force in the 1944 Normandy campaign.  The Staffords crossed the Channel in late June and by the 1st July had moved to the front line facing Caen.  The city was fiercely defended and earlier attempts to outflank it had been frustrated by continued German counter attacks.  Montgomery had, therefore, decided on a frontal attack preceded by heavy aerial bombardment.  On the 8th July a strong attack was launched on a broad front and by the 9th most of the city had fallen.  The Staffords moved quickly south to the bocage country.  From the 16th to the 18th major attacks were put in at Brettevillette and at Bordel near Noyers.  Both were defended strongly and only taken at the cost of a large number of casualties.  Private Ronald Woodus was killed in action on the 18th July.