SAPPER JOHN WOOD
15443 – Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company
The 1891 Census of Workington, England records James Armstrong Wood, a 30-year-old Lift Engine Driver, living at 15 Derwent Row, Workington with his 29-year-old wife Jane and son John aged 2 years.
The 1901 Census records James living at 58 Cumberland Street, Workington with Jane and John and new additions to the family; Jean G. aged 9; Margaret Ann aged 8; Joseph aged 6; Thomas Graham aged 4; Mary aged 2 and William Russel aged 10 months.
In 1911 the Census records the family living in the 5-room residence at 60 Cumberland Street, Workington. James is a Winding Machine Man at the coal pit. At 16 years of age, Joseph is a general servant to farmer William Poole and his family living at Hallsenna Holmrook, Cumberland. By 1911, John appears to have left home.
John Wood signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service abroad’ and the Oath to ‘well and truly serve’ on 29 February 1916 in Melbourne, Victoria. He stated he had been a member of the R.G.A. (Territorial Force) for 18 months in 1909 until he left England.
A medical examination on the same day recorded that he was 27 years and 4 months of age, stood 5ft 4½ins tall and weighed 162 lbs. He had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He was of the Presbyterian faith. His address was 20 Sturt Street, Newmarket, Victoria.
He recorded his trade as Engineer and had been an apprentice for 6 years at Workington Engineering and named as his Next-of-Kin his father Mr. James Armstrong Wood of 60 Cumberland Street, Workington, England.
His training began at the Engineer Reinforcements Camp at Seymour, Victoria. On 16 May he was promoted to Lance Corporal rank. On 18 May he was promoted to Corporal and on 21 June to Sergeant rank.
At the Engineer Depot, Moore Park on 26 July 1916, he was appointed to the September Reinforcements, Field Company Engineers.
John embarked on HMAT A40 Ceramic from Sydney on 7 October 1916 with the Field Company Engineers - September Reinforcements.
The Reinforcements embarked on October 7, 1916 on board the transport HMAT A40 Ceramic from Sydney, NSW. The ship arrived at Durban on October 25 and left on October 28, 1916. Cape Town was the next port-of-call on October 30 and departed on November 1, 1916. Docking at St Vincent on November 13 the transport refuelled and sailed the same day. After a voyage of forty-six days their destination at Plymouth, England was reached on November 21, 1916 under the Master of the Ship, John Stivey and the Officer Commanding Troops, Colonel J.W. Macarthur-Onslow.
The Reinforcements marched into the Australian Details No.3 Camp at Parkhouse the next day for further training for the front.
The Immigration and Labour Bureau, Melbourne, wrote to Base Records on 14 November 1916 requesting Johns’ exact regimental number and address. The information was provided on 24 November.
John was transferred to Tunnellers Details at Perham Downs on 21 November and on 22 November he joined the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC) at Sergeant Rank. On 1 February 1917 he reverted to Corporal rank and on 23 February again reverted to Sapper rank.
He marched in to the Engineers Training Battalion at Brightlingsea on 24 March 1917.
At Brightlingsea John was Absent Without Leave (AWL) from midnight 25 May until 7 p.m. on 26 May 1917. He was awarded 48 hours Field Punishment No.2 and forfeiture of 4 days pay.
John proceeded overseas to France on 17 June 1917. He was attached to the AEMMBC on 3 September 1917 and taken on supernumerary strength on 1 August 1918.
On 27 March 1918 he received an accidental wound to his forehead and was admitted to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station (CCS). Discharged from the CCS, he rejoined his unit on 3 April.
John was granted furlough from 8 to 20 January 1919, rejoining his unit on 21 January.
He marched out to England from the Australian General Base Depot on 19 March 1919. John was granted Non-military Employment (NME) leave from 26 March to 26 August 1919 with pay only to attend Workington Iron and Steel Company, Oldside Works, for general engineering training.
John was in hospital from 25 April until 16 May 1919, costs were to be paid from the allowance he drew whilst on NME.
He reported to Headquarters on 27 August and was granted leave until 25 September. He failed to report until 10 October, had his lateness excused, and reported to Depot for return to Australia and demobilisation.
John left London on 15 November 1919 on board Ypiranga, disembarking in Melbourne on 4 January 1920. A medical examination recorded he had no medical problems from his war service.
He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 18 February 1920, entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The British War Medal was received on 10 June 1921 and the Victory Medal on 15 August 1922.
The 1924 Electoral Roll records John, an engineer, and Doris Josephine Wood living at 20 Sturt Street, Newmarket. The 1931 & 1936 Electoral Rolls record John, an engineer, and Josephine Doris Wood living at Sandown Road, Flemington.
The Victorian Death register records that Jack Wood died at Flemington, Victoria in 1940 age 52, the son of James Armstrong Wood and Jane Graham.
In 1942 Josephine is living at 9 Ascot Street, Ascotvale.
© Donna Baldey 2013