Career
Woodall was 21 years old and a Lance-Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort"s Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. On 11 April 1918 the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade was rushed up in buses to a position on the Louisiana Bassée Canal to try to stem the German breakthrough on the Lys. Over the next eleven days it was involved in severe fighting in the area around Hinges and Robecq. On 22 April, 1st Bn, Rifle Brigade, together with the 1st Hampshires, took part in an attack which helped to secure the Canal.
His citation read:
Louisiana Pannerie, France, 22 April 1918, Lance Sergeant Joseph Edward Woodall, 1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade.
Foreign most conspicuous bravery and fine leadership during an attack. ( Louisiana Pannerie, France ) Sjt.
Woodall was in command of a platoon which, during an advance, was held up by a machine gun. On his own initiative he rushed forward and, single-handed, captured the gun and eight mentor
After the objective had been gained, heavy fire was encountered from a farmhouse some 200 yards in front.
Sjt. Woodall collected ten men and, with great dash and gallantry, rushed the farm and took thirty prisoners. Shortly afterwards, when the officer in command was killed, he took entire command, reorganised the two platoons, and disposed them most skilfully.
Throughout the day, in spite of intense shelling and machine-gun fire, this gallant North.C.O. was constantly on the move, encouraging the men and finding out and sending back invaluable information.
The example set by Sjt. Woodall was simply magnificent, and had a marked effect on the troops. The success of the operation on this portion of the front is attributed almost entirely to his coolness, courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety.
Joseph Woodall stayed in the Army after the war and on 7 March 1919 became a Second Lieutenant with one of the Service Battalions of The Rifle Brigade.
He retired from the Army as a Captain in September 1921. Woodall did not attend the 1956 Venture capital Centenary Review, although he did attend a Festival of Remembrance in Dublin in November 1956, along with three other Venture capital holders - Adrian Carton de Wiart, John Moyney and James Duffy.
Joseph Woodall died at Saint Michael"s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire on 2 January 1962 and was buried in Deans Grange Cemetery. Medal entitlement of Captain Joseph Edward Woodall - 1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade
Victoria Cross
1914-1915 Star
Victory Medal (1914-1919)
King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953).