Thursday 8 November 2018

Blackmore. The Woollard Family Remembered: Joy, and father James. On This Day In History 8 November 1943

Joy Kathleen Woollard served during the Second World War and died. She has a Commonwealth War Grave in the family plot in the churchyard of St Laurence, Blackmore.

Joy Kathleen Woollard
War Memorial: Place and inscription
-
Rank:
Aircraftwoman
Regiment:
1st Class Women's Auxiliary Air Force.  Service No: 449799.  [CWGC]
Service Details:
-
Personal and family information:
Daughter of James Robert and Ethel Louisa Woollard, of Blackmore. [CWGC]
Joy Kathleen Woollard was baptised on 8th September 1922 at Blackmore. Her father’s occupation was given as “Flight Sergeant”.  James Woollard served in the Royal Air Force following the First World War.  [ERO D/P 266/1/11]
Family:
James R Woollard. Born 4.4.1894.  Occupation: News Paper. Garage Dealer.
Ethel L Woollard. Born 31.8.1896. Occupation: Shop Assistant. News General.
Mabel L Woollard. Born 13.1.1921.  Occupation: Shop Assistant
Kathleen Joy Woollard. Born 27.7.1922.  Occupation: Shop Assistant [1939 census]
Joy Kathleen Woolard (one 'l' in burial register) was buried in Blackmore churchyard on 14 November 1943, age 21. She was buried in the grave of her sister Ethel Lillian Woollard, of Blackmore, who died 21st September 1923 (buried 27th September 1923), age 4.   Her father, James Robert Woollard (known also as Jim) - a survivor of the Great War - age 67, of Blackmore Cottage, was buried in the same grave on 26th July 1962 (having died on 19th July 1962).  Her mother, Ethel Louisa Woollard, died on 30th August 1972.  Although commemorated on the family grave there is no entry in the Burial Register [Burial Register held in church safe].
The Death Certificate – sent by Pauline Weaver - gives Joy Kathleen Woolard’s (one 'l' in burial register) occupation as “of The Traveller Blackmore Ingatestone U.D. Spinster A.C.W.1  W.A.A.F. 449799, Daughter of James Robert Woolard, a Newsagent”.  She died of leukaemia.
Date of Death:
8th November 1943
Age:
21
Where died:
Southend-on-Sea General Hospital, Essex
Place of Burial or Commemoration:
St Laurence Churchyard, Blackmore
List of Sources:
Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Pauline Weaver, a descendant of the Woollard family.


Her father, James Robert Woollard, served and survived the First World War.

James Robert Woollard
War Memorial: Place and inscription
Blackmore War Memorial. Listed as survivor: Ft Sgt  J Woollard DSM
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Regiment:
Ft. Sgt. J [James Robert] Woollard DSM is listed with those who served in the RAF, though the memorial does not give his regiment, due to loss of space. 
Service Details:
-
Personal and family information:
James Robert Wollard [Woollard] was born on 4th April 1894 [1939 Census] and baptised at St Laurence Church, Blackmore, on 23rd September 1894.  His parents were William Walter and Lavinia Hetzebiah Woollard.  [ERO 266/1/11]
He is named in the Sunday School Admissions Register as “Age 23.9.1894" with surname written Wollard 
The 1901 census records that James was born in Blackmore, along with 2 brothers and a sister.  Brothers George and William, both also on the Memorial, served too, though not in the RAF.
1920 & 1922 Electoral Roll: Recorded residence is in Brentwood Road but is an “Absent voter” [ERO C/E 2/1/3 & ERO C/E 2/1/5].
A daughter, Mabel Constance Woollard, was baptised at Blackmore on 13th March 1921 (born 13th January 1921).  James’ profession is described as ‘Airman’.
When Joy Kathleen Woollard (born 27th July 1922) was baptised on 8th September 1922 his profession is given as ‘Flight Sergeant’.
“When he came out of the RAF he and his wife had a bungalow built not far from the pump [in Brentwood Road, now Blackmore Road]. Next to it he opened a shop and garage”.  [Coller]
Kelly’s Directory 1937: Newsagent, Petrol filling station & motor engineer.  
In 1939 James’ profession is recorded as ‘News Paper Garage Dealer’. He is assisted by his wife, Ethel, as ‘Shop Assistant News General’ and his daughters Mabel L and Kathleen Joy as ‘Shop Assistant’ [1939 census].
Pauline Weaver, whose great uncle was James wrote (28.2.2010), “Jim Woollard went on to be a local councillor hence the naming of Woollard Way”.
James Robert Woollard (known also as Jim) of Blackmore Cottage, died aged 67 and was buried in the family grave in Blackmore churchyard on 26th July 1962 (having died on 19th July 1962).  His daughters, Joy Kathleen Woollard who died in the Second World War was buried on 14th November 1943. She was 21 years old.  Ethel Lillian Woollard died, age 4, on 21st September 1923 (buried 27th September 1923).  James’ widow, Ethel Louisa Woollard, died on 30th August 1972.  Although commemorated on the family grave there is no entry in the Burial Register. [Burial Register held in church safe].
Newpaper report.
Councillor J. Woollard. – A tribute to Councillor J. Woollard was paid at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rural Council by chairman Councillor E. G. Cooke.  He said Councillor Woollard had been a member for 16 years. “Our Council are very much the poorer by the passing of this sincere and conscientious gentleman. The Council will be the poorer by his passing, but I feel sure that we as individuals are richer for having had association with him.” Everyone in the council chamber stood in silence for a few moments.
Date of Death:
19th July 1962
Age:
67
Where died:
Blackmore
Place of Burial or Commemoration:
St Laurence Churchyard, Blackmore.
List of Sources:
Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Essex Record Office, Pauline Weaver: great-niece of James Woollard.


Some further research has established that James Robert Woollard was a highly decorated Royal Air Force serviceman, who rose to the top rank of airman, Warrant Officer (Engineer), before demobilisation in 1935.  His medals were sold in auction in 2011. See https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/lot-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=198490

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