James Woodards
Main details
| Reference number | 2001/34500 |
|---|---|
| Name | James Woodards |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Completeness | 37% |
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Biography
Attribute Value Biography James Woodards (known as Jim) was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on 13 March 1886, the son of Joseph and Ellen Woodards; his father was a labourer.
After leaving school, Jim worked for some years as a salesman and driver for Edwick's, corn merchants of Cheshunt. Many years later, Newton Edwick, in a letter to Jim's widow, remembered him as 'a good chap' who '...always put the best he had got into the job...'
In 1912, Jim married Solange Grove, whose father owned a successful laundry in Tottenham; his new wife's mother was originally French, but had left her native country during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. They moved in with Solange's parents at 369 Seven Sisters Road, where they were still residing in 1917.
Jim and Solange had one son, Norman, born in 1915.
Upon marriage, Jim left Edwick's and joined the LGOC, where he became a bus driver, based at Cricklewood garage.
Following the outbreak of WW1, probably in early 1915, Jim joined the ASC (Army Service Corps), serving in the 319th Motor Transport Company*. He drove lorries in France, where he was subsequently awarded the Military Medal. He also received the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Allied Victory Medal.
It is believed that Jim returned from war service in 1919/20, resuming work for the LGOC. He received 15 safe-driving awards between 1931 and 1950.
He retired on 4 December 1951, when he was based at Tottenham garage. Although he received a fulsome letter of thanks from the Operating Manager (Central Road Services), he was not entitled to a pension or gratuity from LT.
The exact date of Jim's death is not known, but it is clear from the letter from Mr Edwick referred to above, that he had died by October 1962.Employment Driver, Buses,Role Staff,