Name
Ernest George Wood
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/02/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4037
East Surrey Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE
II. L. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Central Methodist Church Memorial, Letchworth, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Norton, Willian Village Memorial
Pre War
Ernest George Wood was born in 1894, but the location is not clear; SDITGW records Hitchin, but the 1901 census stated St Pancreas, London and the 1911 census gives Kentish Town, but he was christened on 6 January 1895 in Holy Trinity Church, Haverstock Hill: Clarence Way, Camden. His parents were George Walter and Matilda Wood (née Rollins), who married on 13 February 1888 in Edworthy, Bedford, Bedfordshire.
In 1901 the family were living at 28 Boscawen Street. Deptford, London. Present were both parents: George (35) and Matilda (35), with George working as a carriers horse keeper and groom. Their children were: Beatrice (9) and Edward (presumably a mistake and Ernest, 5)
There are some workhouse records around this time for a Matilda Wood, but we believe they apply to someone else.
By 1911 the family were living at The Terrace, Willian, Hitchin. Present were both parents, George now working as a farm labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 23 years with 5 children, of whom 1 had died. The children present were Ernest George, now 16 and a farm labourer, Mildred Mary (6) and Phyllis Edna Matilda (1). Also present was Isaac Rollins (72) a the father in law.
In 1921 George, Matilda and Mildred were living at 60 Ridge Avenue, Letchworth.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War (SDITGW) database records that he was born in Hitchin, Herts. and enlisted in Hitchin. The evidence suggests that he was not born in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
There a records suggesting that Ernest was wounded on 20 September 1916 and that, as a result, was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe".
The Letchworth Gazette dated March 2nd, 1917, reported That Ernest had been home to Ridge Avenue on leave about a month before but that now news had come that he had died.
In conveying these melancholy tidings to his mother and father, the chaplain, the Rev. G. D. B. Pull stated that “death came instantaneously in the trenches on February 7th. He added I know all his comrades, especially the machine gunners, would wish to join in this message. He is buried in the military cemetery, behind the trench, and his grave will properly marked with a cross. May he rest in peace and may God comfort you in this great trouble.”
Lieutenant Stevens also wrote saying that private wood was “both a bright and good lad.” Sergeant Hyde, of Baldock wrote “He was a member of my platoon, and I found him an excellent, good soldier - one who was ever ready to do his duty – and a loyal comrade we, one and all, miss him very much and are sorry at losing him; but you and we are consoled by the fact that he laid down his life for his country.”
Additional Information
After his death £10 11s 0d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother, Matilda, on 25 May 1917. Later a war gratuity of £8 was authorised to be paid to her on 23 October 1919.
His pension cards record his mother as Mrs Matilda Wood and dependant, living at 60 Ridge Avenue, Letchworth, Herts. It also records their children as (b ) and (b ).She/He was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919.
Acknowledgments
Dan Hill, Ellen Barnes, Jonty Wild
