Harry Blanshard Wood

Took command and covered his men as they crossed under fire.

Harry Blanshard Wood was born on 21 June 1882 at Newton-on-Derwent in Yorkshire, the son of agricultural labourer John Wood and Maria Nichol Dey. His family later lived at Strensall, where he attended school, and in York. He worked as a cleaner at York railway station before joining the Scots Guards in February 1903. After regular service, he transferred to the Army Reserve in 1911.

Recalled in August 1914, he went to France with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards that October. He fought at Loos in 1915 and continued serving on the Western Front. At Boyelles railway station on 15 August 1918, he encountered German troops after losing his way near their trenches. He fought his way out and returned with a prisoner carrying important papers. This action earned him the Military Medal.

On 13 October 1918, his company advanced into Saint-Python in France under heavy machine-gun fire. Its task was to clear the village's western side and secure a crossing of the River Selle. When his platoon sergeant was killed, Wood took command of the leading platoon. Snipers controlled the open ground before the ruined bridge. Carrying a large brick forward for cover, he lay behind it and fired at the snipers while directing his men across. He maintained his covering fire until the entire party reached its objective, then helped repel repeated counter-attacks later that day.

His Victoria Cross was announced on 14 December 1918. King George V presented the decoration at Buckingham Palace on 22 February 1919. Wood's final military rank was lance-sergeant. After the war, he settled in Bristol and worked as a commissionaire for the Anglo-American Oil Company. He married Georgina Dorothy in July 1920. That November he was among the Victoria Cross holders forming the guard of honour for the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.

In August 1924, while on holiday at Teignmouth with his wife, a car mounted the pavement and struck her. The regimental account relates that Wood collapsed after the incident and fell into a coma from which he did not recover. He died on 15 August 1924, aged 42, and was buried at Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol. The Scots Guards Association arranged a replacement headstone in 2001. His Victoria Cross and other medals entered the collection of York Castle Museum.

Official Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette, Second Supplement, 14 December 1918, page 14777:

No. 16444 Cpl. (L./Sjt.) Harry Blanshard Wood, M.M., 2nd Bn., S. Gds. (Bristol).

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during operations at the village of St. Python, France, on the 13th of October, 1918.

The advance was desperately opposed by machine guns, and the streets were raked by fire. His platoon serjeant was killed, and command of the leading platoon fell to him. The task of the company was to clear the western side of the village and secure the crossing of the River Selle. Command of the ruined bridge had to be gained, though the space in front of it was commanded by snipers. Cpl. Wood boldly carried a large brick out into the open space, lay down behind it, and fired continually at these snipers, ordering his men to work across while he covered them by his fire. This he continued to do under heavy and well-aimed fire until the whole of his party had reached the objective point.

He showed complete disregard for his personal safety, and his leadership throughout the day was of the highest order.

Later, he drove off repeated enemy counter-attacks against his position.

His gallant conduct and initiative shown contributed largely to the success of the day's operations.