Pte. H.A. Wood

Pte. H.A. Wood

Horace was the third son of the late Mr. Alban and Mrs Mary Lavinia Wood, of 27 South Beech Avenue, Starbeck.

He worked at the Harrogate Hotel in Starbeck, before joining the Army on the outbreak of War. He sailed to France in the Spring of 1915 and served continuously until his death, aged 21, at the Battle of Passchendaele.

He was killed by a shell explosion and his body was never recovered. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

At the time of Horace's death, one of his brothers had already been killed, his eldest brother was at home recovering from his second wound and his youngest brother had been called up the week before.

Mrs Wood received a letter from a member of Horace's signal section which read:

Dear Mrs Wood,

It is with very great regret that the necessity has arisen for writing to you. Doubtless by this time you will have heard from official sources that your son Horace has met his death in the field.

I am writing to you on behalf of the lads in the section, whose comrade Horace was, to express to you our very deepest sympathy in the awful blow which has befallen you. .....

....We have lost one of the best comrades it was possible to have - cool in danger, resourceful at all times, helping to ease the hardships which always accompany this life; in fact proving himself every day one of the best of chums......

..... I am glad to be able to tell you that he suffered no pain, for he was killed instantly by a shell which also grievously wounded many more of the section......

.....We are only ordinary Tommies, but still we have feelings, and I can tell you that we shall for ever cherish his memory as a true comrade and friend. On behalf of all the boys, believe me, yours in deepest sympathy,

T.K. Winfield.