Oliver Holmes Woodward, (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.

Early life

Woodward was born in Tenterfield, New South Wales, on 8 October 1885 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 (1903–04).

First World War

Woodward was made an acting captain on 23 October 1916. On 9 November, the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company took over tunnelling operations under the German lines near Messines and safeguarded two mines, one (Hill 60) charged with 53000 lb of Ammonal explosive and the other (The Caterpillar) with 70000 lb. The mines had been earlier laid by the 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company. At the start of the Battle of Messines, on 7 June 1917, Woodward had the duty of detonating the two mines.

Post-war life

On 3 September 1920, Woodward married Marjorie Moffat Waddell. 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. He was a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy council, and its president in 1940. In 1952, Woodward moved from Adelaide to Hobart, Tasmania and died there on 24 August 1966. He was cremated; a memorial plaque to Woodward and his wife is in the Derwent Gardens section of the Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart.

Awards and decorations

Woodward was awarded the Military Cross and Two Bars, for the following three actions: In the 1956 New Year Honours, Woodward was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for "services to Mining and Metallurgy in the Commonwealth of Australia".

Depictions in fiction

The 2010 film Beneath Hill 60 is based on Woodward's exploits during the First World War with the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company. Woodward is played by Brendan Cowell.