15 Facts About Eric Woodward

Eric Woodward graduated and was commissioned a lieutenant on 16 December 1920.

Eric Woodward served in the Greece Campaign from March to April 1941 as a lieutenant colonel on General Sir Thomas Blamey's staff and later served in the I Corps in the Syrian campaign.

Eric Woodward fought in both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 11 February 1943.

Eric Woodward was twice mentioned in despatches for his work in the Middle East.

Eric Woodward then served in various administrative positions until the end of the war.

In 1948 Eric Woodward attended the Imperial Defence College and remained in London as Australian Army representative for the High Commission of Australia in London.

Eric Woodward was invested as a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1956.

Eric Woodward was further promoted as a lieutenant general in December 1953.

When Sir John Northcott's term as Governor of New South Wales drew to a close, the Premier Joseph Cahill sought another Australian-born military officer to succeed him and chose Eric Woodward, who assumed office on 1 August 1957.

Eric Woodward laid the foundation for International House, University of New South Wales on 13 February 1965.

Eric Woodward retired on 31 July 1965 and he and his wife moved to Wahroonga.

Eric Woodward died on 29 December 1967 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown and was given a state funeral with full military honours.

Lady Eric Woodward survived him, as did their daughter and son, Sir Edward Eric Woodward, who became a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

Eric Woodward was cremated with his ashes interred at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, North Ryde.

The Lady Eric Woodward was sold in 1993 and now operates as a privately owned craft in Tin Can Bay, Queensland.