Coming from a musical family, Woodward built a distinguished career as a cellist, performing with several orchestras across England, including the Eastbourne Municipal Orchestra and the Duke of Devonshire’s Private Orchestra, the latter of which advanced his career. He was recognised for his refined musicianship and eventually joined the C. W. & F. N. Black agency, which supplied musicians to major ocean liners. He was one of five Titanic musicians who had previously played on ships. From then on, Woodward became an eager traveller, with his work frequently taking him abroad. He visited many countries, and as an avid photographer, took numerous pictures of scenes that seemed exotic to the British. Prior to joining the Titanic, he gained experience on transatlantic voyages with the White Star Line, including service aboard the RMS Olympic when it was involved in a collision with HMS Hawke in September 1911—a prelude to the disaster that lay ahead. Despite his accomplishments, little personal recognition followed Woodward as a musician beyond his professional circles. At the time of his final voyage, he was engaged to be married, leaving behind a fiancée who never saw him return.