Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Whitehead Wood, a concrete works labourer, born in the January quarter of 1874 in Bradden, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 3rd May 1874 in St. Michael’s Church, Bradden (son of Mary Ann Wood, 1852-1916) and his wife Emma Jane Wood (nee Reeve, married on the 11th November 1893 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester), born in the January quarter of 1873 in Leicester (daughter of Daniel Reeve, 1838-1921 and Emma Smith, 1840-1910). Alfred Daniel was a schoolboy and was born in the January quarter of 1895 in Leicester and baptised on the 29th November 1896 in Leicester, his siblings were, William, born on the 30th September 1896 in Leicester and Winifred Beatrice, born on the 29th September 1899 in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Pochin Street, Croft, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at West Street, Blaby, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shoe trade pressman, his mother and siblings, William, a shoe trade worker, Winifred, a schoolgirl, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 17th April 1903 in Blaby and baptised on the 21st June 1903 in All Saint’s Church, Blaby, Edward, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1901 in Croft and baptised on the 30th July 1901 in St. Michael & All Angel’s Church, Croft, Emma, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1905 and baptised on the 8th April 1906 in All Saint’s Church, Blaby, George Harold, born on the 28th August 1907 and Harry, born on the 2nd September 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Blaby, also residing with the family was a cousin, Fred Reeve, a schoolboy, born 1898 in Leicester. Alfred’s younger brother, William, survived the war and whilst serving as a Corporal, service number 14872, with the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the citation reads; For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Accompanied by another man, he constantly patrolled between the lines for wounded, and brought back valuable information, (13/2/17).
Alfred attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 22 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as clicker. He gave his father Geo. Wood of West Street, Enderby, near Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 10 stone 12½ pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was approved as suitable for the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2502 on the 31/8/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and commenced embodied service on the 31/8/14. Admitted to the 1st/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance having been wounded in action suffering a gunshot wound to the third finger on his right hand on the 13/4/15. Admitted to No.8 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul on the 14/4/15. Returned to duty in the field on the 19/4/15. Admitted to the 1st/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance, in the field on the 9/6/15. Admitted to Rest Camp on the 9/6/15. Awarded 7 days Field Punishment No.2 for misconduct on the 11/10/15. Reported missing, presumed dead on or since the 13/10/15. Death accepted for official purposes to have occurred on or after the 13/10/15. Struck off strength of the Battalion from the 13/12/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/8/14 – 1/3/15, 183 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 13/10/15., 226 days. Total service 1 year 183 days. Alfred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Alfred’s father George Wood on the 30th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by John -?-, 231, Melton Road, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, George Wood of 88, Down Street, Leicester. Mother of soldier, Emma Jane Wood of 88, Down Street, Leicester. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Wood, D.C.M., age 24, Edward Wood, age 17, George Wood, age 11, Harry Wood, age 8, all of 88, Down Street, Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Winifred Wood, age 19, Elizabeth Wood, age 16, Emma Wood, age 14, all of 88, Down Street, Leicester. Alfred’s surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Saturday May 1st 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “ENDERBY MAN’S EXPERIENCES.” – Private Alfred Wood, who is one of several of the Enderby lads now serving at the front in the 4th Leicester’s, has sent interesting letters to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Wood, of West Street, Enderby, under date April 9. After thanking them for a parcel received, he says; “We have been in the trenches for four days and I would just like you to see us now! People at home would then realise that we are at war! It’s hell where we have been, without exaggeration; it is above knee deep in water and mud for about two miles. You have heard people say that the German’s can’t shoot! Can’t they! Just hold your cap above the trench for a few seconds, and there’s about twenty bullets through it! I might say I’ve been on listening patrol every night. You crawl out to within 25 yards of the enemy trenches, and lie there for sometimes two hours – according to the relief arranged, one or two hours on and the same off. The other night I went and fell into a trench of water up to my chest, and then stood in the pouring rain all that night and next day! I say again it is absolutely incomprehensible to those at home. We come out of the trenches after four days, and have four days off. Our trenches are now about 50 yards from those of the enemy, but the only German I have seen is a dead one between the trenches. I don’t know anyone in “Ours” who has yet seen a live one! I am well in health, which seems surprising, seeing what we go through. The second letter under the date April 20th, says; I’ve only just received your letter of the 13th. I didn’t come out of hospital until yesterday. I expect you have heard of my lucky escape. My finger is not quite better yet, but they told me to get my own doctor to dress it as they want to keep as much room as possible. I think you have got the wrong Clark who has been killed. It was “Alec,” generally known as “Cobley.” He went to school with me and I was talking to him not many hours before he was killed. He was a nice chap, (This refers to Alec Clark of Blaby). Private Wood was a member of the Wigston Rugby F.C., and a well-known pedestrian, having won numerous prizes in flat races in the district.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Thursday, November 18th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. - THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Pte. A. WOOD, 1st 4th Leicester’s, reported missing, is the son of Mr. G. Wood, West-street, Enderby, and was servant to Lieut. Walters whose death has already been reported. Pte. Wood was a well-known member of the Rugby F.C., and has won many prizes as an athlete. His younger brother, Lance-Corpl. W. Wood is serving at the front with the 9th Leicester’s
On Tuesday, November 23rd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. - LEICESTERS: FALLEN AND MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. A. WOOD, 4th Leicester’s, missing since Oct. 13th. His home is at Enderby.