Still Waters Run Deepest

Bill Woodbridge (95) was laid to rest yesterday and his wake was held in the Sports Bar. Many of you will have come across “Old Bill”. He loved to sit on the bench at the 10th during comps and greet members crossing from the 9th green to the 10th tee. Last summer he would wait for the seniors to come through and often would jump in a buggy and play a few holes with them. He was always cheerful and lived and breathed golf at Witney Lakes.

Yesterday I found out something about this frail, slight old man who would struggle to bend down and pick up his ball and certainly had difficulty in lining up a put. He was in fact a GIANT of a man because on the 6th June 1944 that frail man was a 18 year old Royal Marine Commando and was one of the first to step forward on Gold beach.

June 1944

The first operation No. 47 (Royal Marine) Commando was involved in was Operation Neptune the Normandy landings better known as D-Day 6 June 1944. No. 47 landed at Gold Beach at 09:50 hours 6 June near the town of Asnelles. Five of the Landing Craft Assault carrying the Commando ashore were sunk by mines and beach obstacles with the loss of 76 of the 420 men in the Commando. These losses delayed No. 47's advance to their primary objective the port of Port-en-Bessin. Leaving the beaches after noon they fought through La Rosiere and dug in around Escures for the night prior to their planned assault on Port-en-Bessin on the 7 June.

His family didn’t know, they found out when clearing his things finding his medals and memoirs, I guess he just kept it to himself.

Next time you’re in the bar, raise a glass to him, or spare him a thought as you cross from the 9th to the 10th. I’m guessing his spirit won’t be far away!

RIP Bill, it was a honour to have known you.

Rod Bools

Seniors Captain