World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his actions as a private in the 10th Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers of the British Army on October 28, 1918 at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy at the end of World War I. Born in Stockport, Cheshire, England, he was a railroad worker before joining the British Army in 1916. After the end of the war, he was discharged and returned to the railroad, working as a fireman and then a driver, before retiring in 1960 as a supervisor. He died in Stockport at the age of 84. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative on 28 October 1918, near Casa Van, Italy, when a unit on the right flank having been held up by hostile machine guns and snipers, Pte. Wood, on his own initiative, worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine-gun nest, and caused 140 enemy to surrender. The advance was continued till a hidden machine gun opened fire at point blank range. Without a moment's hesitation Pte. Wood charged the machine gun, firing his Lewis gun from the hip at the same time. He killed the machine-gun crew, and without further orders pushed on and enfiladed a ditch from which three officers and 160 men subsequently surrendered. The conspicuous valour and initiative of this gallant soldier in the face of intense rifle and machine-gun fire was beyond all praise."
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his actions as a private in the 10th Battalion, The Northumberland Fusiliers of the British Army on October 28, 1918 at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy at the end of World War I. Born in Stockport, Cheshire, England, he was a railroad worker before joining the British Army in 1916. After the end of the war, he was discharged and returned to the railroad, working as a fireman and then a driver, before retiring in 1960 as a supervisor. He died in Stockport at the age of 84. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative on 28 October 1918, near Casa Van, Italy, when a unit on the right flank having been held up by hostile machine guns and snipers, Pte. Wood, on his own initiative, worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine-gun nest, and caused 140 enemy to surrender. The advance was continued till a hidden machine gun opened fire at point blank range. Without a moment's hesitation Pte. Wood charged the machine gun, firing his Lewis gun from the hip at the same time. He killed the machine-gun crew, and without further orders pushed on and enfiladed a ditch from which three officers and 160 men subsequently surrendered. The conspicuous valour and initiative of this gallant soldier in the face of intense rifle and machine-gun fire was beyond all praise."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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