British War Medal 1914-20 : Lieutenant W G Woodger, 4 Battalion AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Medal issued to William George Woodger, born Queanbeyan, NSW on 12 December 1887, who was married at Woollahra on 27 September 1913 to Elsie Barton Dawkins. Employed as a stock and station agent in Queanbeyan when he enlisted on 30 August 1916 at Sydney, he was assigned to 2 Battalion under service number 7314 and attended No 16 NCOs School of Instruction, La Perouse, NSW which finished on 5 January 1917.

Appointed acting Sergeant on 1 February Woodger embarked on 24 April 1917 from Sydney aboard the transport 'Suffolk'; he served as acting Ship's Orderly Room Sergeant for the duration of voyage, receiving extra pay. The ship disembarked at Plymouth on 17 August; five days later Woodger was transferred to 4 Battalion and reverted to the rank of private.

He trained for active service at 1 Training Battalion, Darrington where he served as acting Corporal from 19 September. He was then attached to No 3 School of Instruction at Candahar Barracks, Tidworth from 31 December 1917 to 9 February 1918 where his performance was rated as 'very good' with a score of 86%. From 1 to 25 March he served as extra duty pay (EDP) corporal before reverting to the rank of private and proceeding to France, He joined 4 Battalion in the field on 2 April 1918 just as they were moving from Tournai Camp in southern Belgium to northern France. By 6 April the Battalion had reached the Amiens area. The Germans launched Operation Michael on 9 April. Woodger's Brigade moved to Borre on 13 April, digging a defensive position on the high ground defending Strazeele. Although the Germans took Meteren on 16 April, their assault on the Brigade's positions failed and Strazeele was saved. The German offensive was checked and the battalion was relieved on 28 April. Woodger attended 15th Corps Gas School, France in early May and was appointed Lance Corporal on 20 July.

Over the June-July period, 4 Battalion moved in and out of the front line in this northern sector before moving to Merris on 5 July where their active patrolling resulted in the capture of over 40 prisoners and a successful assault on German lines. They acted as reserves to 4 Division during the major allied offensive of 8 August, where the Corps advanced over 12 kilometres, driving the surprised Germans before them. On 23/24 August the Battalion formed part of 1 Division's assault on Chuignes, where they captured Fontaine les Cappy. At Roisel on September 10/11 they assaulted German positions at Hill 140 but suffered heavy casualties, forcing a reorganisation of the Battalion. They took the hill a week later, also capturing the village of Hargicourt, their last action of the war.

On 14 October Woodger was detached to join Cadet Battalion, 1st Training Battalion in England to qualify for his commission. The Commanding Officer, Colonel T M Mullen, reported, 'This Cadet Officer was only a fortnight in this Battalion, but during that time he showed promise of becoming a good Officer & carried out his duties satisfactorily.' Appointed a probationary Second Lieutenant on 6 January 1919, Woodger returned to his battalion in France. From 22 to 28 February he took leave to undertake an 'inspection of the Local Industries'. He was promoted to lieutenant on 6 April. He embarked for Australia aboard the 'Wiltshire' which departed England on 4 July. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 19 September 1919.

Upon his return to Queanbeyan district in 1920, he formed a partnership with his brother Thomas and friend Harold Calthorpe under the company name Woodgers And Calthorpe, initially incorporated in Queanbeyan but later expanding to Canberra and the southern tablelands. The company was responsible for conducting the first auctions of non-government land in the newly formed Federal Capital Territory. 'WG', as he was known, was actively involved in community and veteran activities. His wife Elsie died in 1965, prompting his retirement. He died on 25 January 1979, aged 91.

• Victory Medal : Lieutenant W G Woodger, 4 Battalion AIF