James Park Woods (1886–1963) was an Australian recipient of the
Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy
that could be awarded to members of the Australian armed forces at the
time. Woods enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1916,
and joined the 48th Battalion in France in September 1917. He
participated in the First Battle of Passchendaele the following month.
In 1918, Woods was hospitalised twice, finally returning to his unit in
mid-August. On 18 September, the 48th Battalion was involved in the
attack on the Hindenburg Outpost Line. During this battle Woods led a
four-man patrol in an attack on a strong German post, inflicting severe
casualties and driving more than thirty Germans from the position. His
actions during this assault and subsequent defence against German
counter-attacks resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross. His
medals are now displayed in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War
Memorial.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Park_Woods>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1809:
The second theatre of the Royal Opera House in London opened
after a fire destroyed the original theatre one year earlier.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Opera_House>
1851:
The New York Times, the largest metropolitan newspaper in the
United States, was founded.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times>
1948:
The Australian cricket team's Invincibles tour of England
concluded; they had played thirty-four matches, including five Tests,
without defeat.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_cricket_team_in_England_in_1948>
2014:
Scotland voted against independence from the United Kingdom.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
Ember day:
(Christianity) Any of the three days within the same week, four separate
sets of which occur roughly equidistant in the circuit of the year, that
are set aside for fasting and prayer. In Western Christianity they are
usually the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following the first Sunday
in Lent, Whitsunday, Holy Cross Day (14 September), and Saint Lucy's Day
(13 December).
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ember_day>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I have to tell you I don't just see this role of women as
caretakers in the world that I cover, I see it in the world I live in.
Slowly, slowly, slowly but definitely, the workplace is becoming a more
humane place because of the presence of women.
--Cokie Roberts
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cokie_Roberts>
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