Oliver Woodward
| Oliver Holmes Woodward | |
|---|---|
Captain Oliver Woodward c. 1917
|
|
| Born |
8 October 1885 Tenterfield, New South Wales |
| Died | 24 August 1966 (aged 80) Hobart, Tasmania |
| Allegiance |
 Australia
|
| Service/branch |
 Australian Army
|
| Years of service | 1915–1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 1st Australian Tunnelling Company |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Military Cross & Two Bars Mentioned in Despatches |
| Other work | President of the Australian Mining and Metals Association (1952–1954) |
Captain Oliver Holmes Woodward CMG, MC & Two Bars (8 October 1885 – 24 August 1966) was an Australian metallurgist, mine manager and soldier noted for his tunnelling activities at the Ypres Salient during the First World War.
Woodward was born in Tenterfield, New South Wales to a pioneering family of Scottish ancestry who had been among the first settlers in the district. He was educated at public schools and for two years at Newington College (1903–1904).
Woodward was made an acting Captain on 23 October 1916. On 9 November 1916 the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company took over tunnelling operations under German lines near Messines and safeguarded two mines, one (Hill 60) charged with 53,000 pounds (24,000 kg) of Ammonal explosive and the other (The Caterpillar) with 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg). The mines had been earlier laid by the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. At the start of the Battle of Messines, on 7 June 1917, Captain Woodward had the duty of detonating the two mines.
On 3 September 1920, he married Marjorie Moffat Waddell (d. 30 July 1978). They had a daughter and two sons.
Woodward later had a distinguished civil mining career. In 1935 he became the general manager of North Broken Hill, and was appointed to the board of directors in 1944. He retired as general manager in 1947, but was a director until 1961.
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