Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Wood, a shoe trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1844 in Hinckley, Leicestershire (son of William Wood, 1809 and Mary Brown, 1807) and his wife Eliza Wood (nee, Foster, married on the 26th March 1882 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley), born in the July quarter of 1851 in Barwell, Leicestershire and baptised on the 12th August 1851 in St. Mary’s Church, Barwell (daughter of James Foster, 1813 and Sarah Needham, 1812), John, a schoolboy was born in the January quarter of 1883 in Hinckley and baptised on the 16th November 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, his siblings were, Albert Thomas, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 16th November 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, Sarah Elizabeth, born in the October quarter of 1886 and baptised on the 16th November 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley and Arthur Samuel, born on the 26th August 1890 and baptised on the 16th November 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, in April 1891 the family home was at Blue Bell Yard, Hinckley.
John’s father died, aged 54 years in the April quarter of 1898 in Hinckley.
In March 1901 John was employed as a dyer’s labourer and was residing in the family home at Blue Bell Yard, Hinckley, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Sarah, a hosiery trade worker, Ellen Maria, born in the October quarter of 1895 in Hinckley and baptised on the 12th April 1897 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley and Arthur, also residing with the family was a family relative, Ernest Foster, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 29th May 1878 in Stoke Golding and baptised on the 6th July 1879 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding.
In April 1911 John, an Army Pensioner was employed as a brickyard labourer, and was residing in the family home at 43, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, together with his wife Ellen Elizabeth Wood (nee Sharpe, married on the 1st October 1910 in The Register Office, Hinckley) born on the 31st January 1892 in Hinckley and baptised on the 5th November 1893 in Holy Trinity Church, Hinckley (daughter of William Sharpe, 1873 and Mary Ann Garratt, 1874) and their daughter, Florence Ann, born on the 7th October 1910 in Hinckley and baptised on the 20th March 1911 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley.
John and Ellen also had the following children, Ernest Alfred, born on the 6th July 1912 and baptised on the 7th October 1912 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley and Mavis Ellen France, born on the 27th June 1916, both the children were born in Hinckley. Mavis died at 4, White Lion Yard, Hinckley, aged 8 months on the 7th February 1917.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 13th August 1901 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 6194. He gave his place of birth as Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 8 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as dyers labourer.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regt. (Militia).
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 13th August 1901 and recorded his birthplace as Hinckley, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 8 months, trade or occupation as dyers labourer, that he was 5-feet 4 inches in height, weighed 115 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his physical development was described as fair. Enlisted at Leicester on the 13th August 1901. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 6194.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years, height 5-feet 4 inches, chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had light brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, fish like mark back of left shoulder. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 13th August 1901. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Eliza Wood, 4, Blue Bell Yard, Hinckley, Leicestershire, his bothers (o) Ernest Wood, (y) Arthur Wood, sisters, Lizzie Wood, Nellie Wood.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 13/8/01.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/8/01.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/12/01.
Granted. Ration Allowance. 13/2/02.
Admitted. To Hospital, Alexandria. 17/9/02.
Discharged, From Hospital, Alexandria. 13/10/02.
Posted. To Guernsey. 15/12/02.
Granted. Good Conduct Pay @ 1d. 13/8/03.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/10/03.
Posted. To Bellary. 24/11/03.
Permitted to extend service to complete 8 years with the Colours. 1/4/04.
Granted. 1st General Service Pay @ 6d. 1/4/04.
Posted. To -?-. 16/4/04.
Posted. To Belgaum. 24/4/04.
Forfeits. 1st Good Conduct Badge. 27/10/05.
Forfeits. 1d Service Pay. 24/3/06.
Reduced. To Class II Service Pay @ 3d. 1/4/06.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/10/06.
Restored. 1d Service Pay. 1/5/07.
Restored. 1st Good Conduct Badge. 11/9/07.
Advanced. Service Pay II Class @ 5d. 12/10/07.
Forfeits. 1st Good Conduct Badge. 4/11/07.
Transferred. 22/2/09.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 12/8/09.
Enrolled. Army Reserve Class “A”. 18/11/09.
Re-engaged for a further period of 1 year from. 13/8/10.
Continued Class “B” Army Reserve. 13/8/11.
Re-engaged. Class “D” Army Reserve. 8/8/13.
Mobilized. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 18/12/14.
Landed. 18/12/14.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field.
Admitted. To 18th Field Ambulance, frost bite. In the Field. 15/2/15.
Admitted. To No.2 General Hospital. 17/2/15.
Admitted. To 14th General Hospital. 19/2/15.
Discharged. From hospital Class “B”. 22/2/15.
Passed. By Board as fit. 1/3/15.
Posted. To Infantry Brigade Depot. Rouen.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 14/3/15.
Joined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 14/3/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 31/5/15.
Deprived of Lance Stripe for misconduct. In the Field. 30/6/15.
Embarked. From Marseilles. 10/11/15.
Disembarked. At Alexandria. 17/11/15.
Embarked. From Port Suez. 23/11/15.
Disembarked. At Basra. 8/12/15.
Proceeded. To India as Servant to Commanding Officer. Per Hospital Ship Sicilia. 16/1/16.
Embarked. From Bombay. 10/2/16.
Disembarked. At Basra. 18/2/16.
Admitted. To Hospital. Basra. 16/9/16.
Transferred to 33rd Basra General Hospital. 2/10/16.
Discharged. To duty. 25/11/16.
Rejoined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 5/12/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 9/3/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 13/8/01 – 23/12/01. 133 days.
Egypt. 24/12/01 – 13/12/02. 355 days.
Home Service. 14/12/02 – 12/10/03. 302 days.
India. 13/10/03 – 23/5/09. 5 years 225 days.
Home Service. 23/5/09 – 17/12/14. 5 years 209 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 18/12/14 – 9/11/15. 327 days.
Expeditionary Force, Persian Gulf. 10/11/15 – 9/3/17. 1 year 120 days.
Total Service. 15 years 211 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 9 Mar-17 - Continued marching till daylight (about 6.00am) when the Brigade halted 1000 yards from SHAWA RUINS and came in touch with the Cavalry. The Brigade took up Headquarters in the ruins and about 7.00am the enemy commenced to shell the ruins and the Cavalry Division who were concentrating in the vicinity. The Battalion was ordered to send forward one Company with a Company in support to locate the enemy position, his flanks and if possible, his approximate strength. “C” Company went forward with “D” Company in support. “A” and “B” Companies remaining in reserve in artillery formation. During the day enemy shelled occasionally, but our guns when they got into action kept the enemy artillery well in hand. Enemy rifle and machine gun fire was heavy. During the day we pushed slowly forward “A” and “B” Companies later taking part. We had no connection on our right or left flanks. The 51st SIKHS and 56th RIFLES had come round some way on the left to turn the enemy right flank, but we did not get in touch with them during the day. In the afternoon the 53rd SIKHS came up to support our right, and at night continued our right towards the 35th Brigade, with whom they made connection. At dusk we straightened our forward line and consolidated the connection on left. On right 53rd SIKHS in touch with 35th Brigade. The whole Battalion was on the front line from left “A”, “C”, “D” and “B” Companies. In support 1 Company of 125th PUNJABIS. One section from a Machine Gun Company was sent up about midnight. Turkish sniping continued until about 2.00am. Casualties during the day 2nd Lieutenant’s HILTON and PALFREYMAN wounded, NCO’s and men 14 killed, 86 wounded. Very hot during the day.
On the 22nd September 1917, John’s widow Ellen Elizabeth Wood of 4, White Lion Yard, Hinckley, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty-two shillings and eleven pence for herself and her two children, commensurate on the 24th September 1917.
[recognitum XI-VI-MMXXIV]