Wilfred Wood

He stormed enemy posts and silenced guns to protect his men.

Wilfred Wood was born at Stockport in 1897 and worked for the London and North Western Railway. He enlisted in 1916 and served in France before joining the Northumberland Fusiliers in Italy.

Near Casa Van on 28 October 1918, enemy machine guns and snipers blocked the advance. Wood moved forward with his Lewis gun and enfiladed a machine-gun position, causing a large number of troops to surrender. When another concealed gun checked progress, he attacked it alone despite close fire and forced further surrender. His Victoria Cross recognised his initiative and determination.

After demobilisation he returned to railway employment and married Bessie, raising a son. He remained interested in railways and veterans’ affairs throughout his later life. After retirement he suffered declining health, including a stroke and cataracts. He died at Stockport on 3 January 1982 and was cremated there.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative on 28th October, 1918, near Casa Van, Italy, when a unit on the right flank having been held up by hostile machine guns and snipers, Pte. Wood, on his own initiative, worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine-gun nest, and caused 140 enemy to surrender. The advance was continued till a hidden machine gun opened fire at point blank range. Without a moment’s hesitation Pte. Wood charged the machine gun, firing his Lewis gun from the hip at the same time. He killed the machine-gun crew, and without further orders pushed on and enfiladed a ditch from which three officers and 160 men subsequently surrendered. The conspicuous valour and initiative of this gallant soldier in the face of intense rifle and machine-gun fire was beyond all praise.

Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 26 November 1918. 27 November 1918, Numb. 31034, p. 14040