Sir Henry Evelyn Wood

Charging rebels, he risked his life to rescue a captive man.

Field Marshal Sir Henry Evelyn Wood VC, GCB, GCMG rose from a teenage naval officer wounded in the Crimea to become one of Britain’s most senior soldiers. His Victoria Cross recognised two acts of bravery in India: an almost single-handed attack against armed rebels and the rescue of a captive threatened with execution.

Born at Cressing, Essex, on 9 February 1838, Wood entered the Royal Navy in 1852. During the Crimean War he served ashore with Captain William Peel’s Naval Brigade, fighting at Inkermann and before Sebastopol. On 18 June 1855, he was severely wounded during the assault on the Redan. After returning to Britain, he transferred to the British Army, receiving a commission in the 13th Light Dragoons before joining the 17th Lancers. (gutenberg.org, collection.nam.ac.uk)

In Central India, Wood distinguished himself as a young cavalry lieutenant. At Sindwaho on 19 October 1858, while commanding a troop of the 3rd Light Cavalry, he attacked and routed rebels who had made a stand. On a subsequent occasion near Sindhora, he advanced with a duffadar and a sowar of Beatson’s Horse to rescue Chemmum Singh, a local headman whom robbers had carried into the jungle intending to hang him. His official Victoria Cross citation, published in The London Gazette on 4 September 1860, recognised both actions. (thegazette.co.uk)

Wood’s career continued through regimental command, staff appointments and further campaigns. He graduated from the Staff College in 1864 and commanded Wood’s Regiment during the Ashanti War of 1873–1874. In southern Africa, he fought in the frontier campaign of 1878 and commanded the British left-flank column during the Anglo-Zulu War. After the costly reverse at Hlobane, his force defeated a major Zulu attack at Kambula on 29 March 1879. He subsequently participated in the British victory at Ulundi. (gutenberg.org, victoriacrossonline.co.uk)

Following service in the First Boer War and the Egyptian campaign, Wood became Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, overseeing its reorganisation. During the Nile Expedition of 1884–1885, he commanded the lines of communication supporting operations in the Sudan. His later appointments included command at Aldershot, Quartermaster-General to the Forces, Adjutant-General and command of the Second Army Corps. Promoted to Field Marshal on 8 April 1903, he retired from active service at the end of 1904. (gutenberg.org)

Wood remained involved in public and military life, supporting the Territorial Force and serving as Constable of the Tower of London. He died at Harlow, Essex, on 2 December 1919, aged 81, and was buried with full military honours in Aldershot Military Cemetery. (victoriacrossonline.co.uk)