Born at Exeter of an old Exeter family; his father had practised in that city for many years. At the age of 15 Woodman was sent out to a relative on a ranch in Australia, and he later recorded his experiences in Chips by an Old Chum; or, Australia in the Fifties (1893). On the outbreak of the Crimean War he joined the Turks and served through the campaign, but did not publish further experiences.
After that he entered Guy's Hospital, and, qualifying in 1860, was Obstetric Resident at the Hospital. He then settled in practice in Exeter, was Surgeon to the Dispensary, to the Exeter Diocesan Training College, and also Medical Officer of Health and to the Workhouse. He was one of the originators of the City Sanatorium, and Surgeon to the South-Western Railway Company. He advocated the septic tank method of dealing with the sewage. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Public Health, a Fellow of the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health, Medical Referee for the Workmen's Compensation Act, and Visitor under the Lunacy Act. At one time he was President of the Devon and Exeter Medico-Chirurgical Society, Vice-President of the Branch of the British Medical Association; for some years he was Churchwarden to St Sidwell's Church.
He died at 2 Chichester Place, East Southernhay, Exeter, on June 28th, 1903. He was survived by his widow.
Source: Royal College of Surgeons of England