| Thomas Woodend was the son of Robert John and Matilda Woodend. Robert Woodend married Matilda Pickering on 7th September 1878 in the district of Magherafelt.
|
| Thomas James Woodend was born on 20th November 1892 in Castledawson. He was one of at least nine children.
|
| Family: Robert Woodend, Matilda Woodend, William Woodend (born 26th April 1880), Joseph Woodend (born 5th November 1881), George Woodend (born 31st December 1884), Robert Woodend (born 21st October 1887), Mary Jane Woodend (born 1st July 1889), Letitia Woodend (born 15th February 1891), Thomas James Woodend (born 20th November 1892), Sydney Woodend (f, born 17th February 1896), Arthur Woodend (born 21st June 1897).
|
|
| The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 8 living with the family at house 100 in Castledawson, County Londonderry. His father was an engine man.
|
| The 1911 census lists Thomas James as age 18 living with the family at house 62 in Castledawson. Thomas was employed as a labourer. His father was now a beetler.
|
|
| His father, Robert Woodend, died on 17th April 1914 in the district of Magherafelt. He was 54 years old.
|
| Thomas Woodend enlisted in Belfast.
|
|
| Lance Corporal Overend has now so far recovered as to be able to write a letter with his left hand. In the course of this he says:-
|
| ‘I was very lucky to come out alive. I was also wounded in the leg, but the bullet went clean through and my leg is almost better. Our Battalion lost very heavily, but we took the position we were told to take. The Ulster Division is the talk of the whole army. It was Jonny Evans and Tommy Woodend, of Castledawson, that helped me back about half way, but hey had to leave me there. I am to get fitted with an arm, with which I can write and do light work.
|
| In a letter in August 1916, Lance Corporal Overend describes how Private Thomas Woodend, along with Jonny Evans, helped him after he had been severely injured.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Report mentions Tommy Woodend
|
|
| In a letter to Mrs Overend, Bellaghy, Lieutenant colonel W A Lenox-Conyngham says:-
|
| ‘I learn with regret that your son has been wounded, and has lost his right arm in his country’s service. I trust that he will make a good recovery and come back home in safety. The Ulster Division has done splendidly, and the men have won great glory. We feel proud of them.’
|
| Private Thomas Woodend was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Ypres on Saturday 30th September 1916.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 14th October 1916:
|
|
| WOODEND – Killed in action on 1 October 1916, No 23567, Private Tommy Woodend, 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the fifth and dearly beloved son of Matilda and the late Robert Woodend, Castledawson.
|
|
‘He stood at his post like a soldier brave;
|
|
He answered his Captain’s call;
|
|
He sleeps far away in a hero’s grave,
|
|
For his country’s cause he did fall.’
|
| Inserted by his sorrowing mother, sisters and brothers.
|
| Private Woodend is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, south-west of Ypres near the village of Wulvergem.
|
| Thomas’ brother, Arthur Woodend, also served during World War I and was wounded.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th January 1918: Castledawson
|
|
| Among the soldiers at home on leave over Christmas were the following:- Private Joseph McCombe, Canadian Machine Gun Corps; Private John Sampson and his brother Corporal George Sampson: sergeant William McKenna and Private Arthur Woodend (shortened).
|
| The CWGC record Private T Woodend as the son of Mrs M Woodend of Castledawson, County Londonderry.
|
|
