Subject

Leading Fireman killed as a result of an air raid on Old Palace School, Bow, E3 on 20 April 1941. The photo shows Woodlands as a private in the Royal Army Service Corps during WW1.

Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Leading Auxiliary Fireman Walter John Woodland was born on 16 October 1899 in Camberwell, younger son of Bowden Woodland and Matilda Kate Woodland née Horn. His father was a Butcher. The 1901 census shows the family living at 72 Denmark Road, Camberwell and they were still there at the time of the 1911 census. On 13 September 1915 he enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps, service number SS/16642, but was discharged on 16 June 1917 for reasons of sickness having served overseas and was issued with a Silver War Badge. He was subsequently awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. Post war electoral registers show him still living at 72 Denmark Road, Camberwell but by 1928 these registers show the family had moved to 37 Playfield Crescent, Camberwell.

In 1932 he married Doris Sylvia Bray in Lambeth and electoral registers show that they were living with her family until at least 1934 at 72 Bavent Road, Brixton. The 1939 England and Wales Registers list him at the A.F.S. Station, Standard Bank Sports Club, Stanhope Grove, Beckenham, Kent and records his occupation as a Solicitor's Conveyancing Clerk, whilst his wife is listed at their home at 68 Links Way, Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent with both their widowed mothers. Her occupation was given as a Solicitor's Stenographer. He died when a German bomb landed on Auxiliary Fire Service Sub Station 24U, which was housed in Old Palace LCC School, St. Leonards Street, Poplar, aged 41 years, on 20 April 1941. He was buried at Beckenham Cemetery and Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TD. Probate was granted to his widow and his effects totalled £1,609-6s-7d.