John Owen Woodcock
Date of birth: 6.4.1922
Date of death: 22.9.1944
Area: Crofton
Regiment: King’s Own Scottish Borderers (7th (Airborne) Battalion)
Family information: Son of Charles and Annie Baldwin Woodcock of Crofton
Rank: Private
Service number: 1148730
War Service
John and his best friends, Lawrence (Lal) Cook and Levi Brear, were called up in 1942. John joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 7th Airborne Battalion and became a despatch rider.
At Oosterbeek in Holland on 22nd September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem, John was killed in action. He was 22 years old. He is buried at the Oosterbeek Military Cemetery, Arnhem. Stanley and his wife visited the grave several times, including in 1994 for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
Family Life
John was born on 6th April 1922 and lived at Pengram Cottage, Slack Lane, Crofton with his parents and younger brother Stanley.
John was tall and slim and had a lovely personality. He was much admired by the younger children, who were Stanley’s friends. After leaving school John worked as a machinist at British Ropes Company ltd in Wakefield.
Oosterbeek Military Cemetery, Arnhem
