Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Wood, a farm waggoner, born on the 14th February 1866 in Gilmorton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 25th March 1866 in All Saint’s Church, Gilmorton and his wife Catherine (Katharine/Catharine) Wood (nee Reynolds, married on the 19th May 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Ashby Magna, Leicestershire), born in the 4th quarter of 1865 in Ashby Magna, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th October 1865 in St. Mary’s Church, Ashby Magna. Charles Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Cotes de Val, Gilmorton and was baptised on the 7th October 1894 in St. Mary’s Church, Ashby Magna, his siblings were, John Henry, on the 9th April 1892 and baptised on the 5th June 1892 in St. Mary’s Church, Ashby Magna and Marian (Marion) Jane, born on the 6th July 1893 and baptised on the 3rd September 1893 in St. Mary’s Church, Ashby Magna, both his siblings were born in Gilmorton, in March 1901 the family home was at Cotes de Val, Gilmorton. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Ashby Magna, together with his father a farm waggoner and his mother.
Charles enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force being assigned to the 5th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion on the 13th January 1915 and was allotted the service number 2039. He gave his place of birth as Cotes de Val, Lutterworth, Leicester, England. His age as 21 years 6 months, his trade or calling as labourer and marital status as unmarried.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Kate Wood, Ashby Magna, Near Lutterworth, Leicester, England.
His medical examination took place on the 13th January 1915 at Liverpool, New South Wales and recorded his declared age as 21 years 6 months. He was 5 feet 5¾ inches in height, weighed 145 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches, his complexion was described as dark, he had blue eyes and brown hair. The following distinctive marks were noted, vaccinations. He gave his Religious Denomination as Church of England.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Embarked at Sydney. Per H.M.A.T. 40 Ceramic. 25/6/15.
Admitted. 15th General Hospital, Alexandria. Sick. 22/7/15.
Discharged. From Hospital, Mustapha. 26/8/15.
Embarked. From Alexandria. Per Karoo for Gallipoli. 30/8/15.
Taken on strength. 1st Battalion. Mudros. 10/9/15.
Embarked. From Mudros. Per Huntsgreen for Alexandria.
Disembarked. Alexandria. 28/12/15.
Charged. Overstaying leave from 11.00pm 28/1/16 till 9.30pm. Tel El Kebir. 29/1/16.
Award. 7 days Confined to Barracks and forfeits 2 days pay. 31/1/16.
Proceeded to join. British Expeditionary Force. From Alexandria. Per Ivernia. 22/3/16.
Disembarked. Marseilles. 28/3/16.
To England. On furlough. 10/12/16.
Rejoined. 1st Battalion from furlough. 16/12/16.
Wounded in action. France. 5/1/17.
Admitted. 36th Casualty Clearing Station. Gunshot wound right thigh, fractured. 6/1/17.
Died of wounds. 8/1/17.
Buried at Sheet Albert. 1-40000 J.13.b.7.5.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Charles’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirty three pages and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 5 Jan-17 – POSSUM RESERVE. 03.00. Two enemy N.C.O.’s captured, brought to Battalion Headquarters, examined and sent to Brigade.
07.45 Major WOODFORDE proceeded up line accompanied by Captain WATSON, M.C. to try and locate suspected enemy works, returned 11.00.
14.00. Heavy shelling for one hour by our artillery, enemy retaliation very slight.
17.30. “C” and “D” Companies proceeded to relief of “A” and “B” Companies.