Mt Morgan miner changed the war

THE true story of Captain Woodward’s role in changing the course of World War I has been developed into a film, Beneath Hill 60, and will be released tomorrow.

Oliver Woodward, who worked at Mount Morgan pre-war, was involved in mining a German position. Picture: Australian War Memorial

COLD, dark, bloodied tunnels 30 metres underground served as a silent Belgian battlefield for Mt Morgan miner Oliver Woodward and his men before they unleashed an explosion that was said to be felt as far away as London and Dublin.

The untold true story of Captain Woodward’s role in changing the course of World War I has been developed into Australian feature film, Beneath Hill 60, and will be released in cinemas tomorrow.

Oliver Woodward spent time working as a mine manager in Mount Morgan in 1913 before enlisting in the AIF.

In 1916 he was commissioned and posted to the number one company of the new mining battalion and sailed to France.

A year later Captain Woodward led a tunnelling company that was responsible for loading about 24,000kg of explosives in one mine and about 31,700kg in another on Belgian soil.

At 3.10am on June 7, 1917, Captain Woodward’s mine was one of 19 that were detonated, allowing the second army to begin a barrage on enemy lines and killing 10,000 Germans instantly.

After the war Woodward returned to Mt Morgan, where he worked for some time before moving to South Australia.

Woodward later wrote of his experiences and it is these writings that the film is based on, with the plot centred on his life.

In the film, Captain Woodward is played by Brendan Cowell, who is most famous for his role in the pay TV drama series Love My Way and his role of Todd on SBS’s Life Support.

The Mt Morgan Historical Museum has been credited for its historical contribution and its supply of a Mt Morgan letterhead that is used in the film.

Many Mt Morgan men enlisted and gave their lives in the first World War and Mt Morgan locals are proud for one of their own to be recognised.

David Tank, project officer for Mt Morgan Promotion and Development, is hoping to hold a special screening of the film in Mt Morgan to coincide with Anzac day.

“We’re hoping to arrange a special screening to honour the Mt Morgan connection to our World War One diggers,” he said.

Originally published as Mt Morgan miner changed the war