Brother of Arthur Woof, of Cape Town. Born in Cape Town in 1883. He enlisted as a trooper in the Natal Border Police in July 1902, transferred to the Natal Police in August 1903 and was discharged at his own request on 6 August 1907. He attested at Potchefstroom on 24 August 1915 for service with the 1st S.A. Infantry Battalion. At the time he was unmarried and a tobacco manufacturer. He served in Egypt from 12 January 1916 to 13 April 1916, being present at the battle of Agagiya on 22 February 1916. He suffered severe shrapnel wounds of the spine and finger on 18 July 1916, the fifth day of the battle of Delville Wood, and was hospitalized for almost four months in France and England. He finally returned to his regiment on 6 November 1916, but was again in hospital for long periods during 1917 and 1918. He qualified as a Lewis gunner on 11 September 1918 and he was promoted L/Cpl on 17 October 1918. Two days later he received a gunshot wound in the neck during an attack on the River Selle at Le Cateau.