Kenneth John Woodcock

Rifleman
Royal Winnipeg Rifles
Killed in Action – March 30, 1945

Service Summary

Kenneth John Woodcock served as a Rifleman with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles during the final campaigns of the Second World War.

Wartime Experience

Kenneth took part in the fierce fighting of March 29–30, 1945, during the Allied advance through Germany toward the liberation of the Netherlands.

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, part of 7th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division, were tasked with fighting through the German city of Emmerich.

Heavy enemy counterattacks caused intense urban combat that largely destroyed the city.

Kenneth was killed in action on March 30, 1945, at the age of 24.

By the following days, the route into Holland had been opened.

Commemoration

Kenneth is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

In 1981, a northern Manitoba lake was officially named Woodcock Lake in his honour.

His brother Harvey Woodcock had also been killed in action in 1943.

Medals & Honours

• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp

• Defence Medal

• 1939–45 Star

• France and Germany Star

• War Medal 1939–45