6th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Cyril was born in 1894 and lived with his parents, Samuel and Ann Woodhead, and his six siblings in West Grove, Sale. Prior to enlisting in the 6th Battalion in August 1914, he was employed as a solicitor’s clerk.
The 6th Battalion mobilised for war on 10 1914 September and arrived in Egypt later that month. After several months’ garrison duty the Battalion moved to the Balkans, arriving in Gallipoli on 6 May. Almost immediately the Battalion was involved in heavy fighting in what became known as the Battles for Krithia village. It is likely Cyril was killed in action in one of these engagements on 31 May 1915; he was 21.
According to the online Manchester Regiment Group Forum, a number of soldiers from the same regiment were killed during the digging and improvement of trenches on May 31. They included two from B Company: Sergeant William Taylforth (who played rugby for Sale) and Corporal Cyril Woodhead. Both were originally buried near the trench.
Cyril’s death is recorded on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey and commemorated on our War Memorial at St. John’s.