William Wood
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
When William Wood was born in 1891, he had 3 brother and 3 sisters all living at South Parade, Ordsall, Notts, with their parents, George and Louisa Wood. In 10 years, the family had increased by one more daughter, Nellie, and had made a move to Babworth near Retford, residing at Rushey Inn Cottages. In 1909, the mother to the children and wife to George, died. She was 48 years old. The family were now of age to make their own way in life and by 1911, only widowed father, George and youngest daughter Nellie, occupied the family home which was now in Worksop at 13 Beaver Place. Most of the sons and daughters were scattered around Worksop and William was living with his sister, Edith and her husband, Benjamin Garside at 20 Canal Road working for the Britanic Assurance Agency. Later on in that year, William married at Worksop to an 18 year old girl, Lizzie Oxby, taking up residence at 26 Church Walk. Their marriage followed with 2 children, Wilfred on the 11/5/1912 and George on the 7/9/1913. After William’s death, Lizzie was awarded a pension for her and her 2 children and in the following year, she remarried to Chares Hayes in Worksop.
Pte. William Wood Worksop Guardian 31 May 1918 We have this week to record the death of a number of local men lost in the war. Amongst them is Pte. William Wood, of the North Staffordshire Regiment, who resided at 36, Church Walk. Pte. Wood enlisted in 1915, previous to which time he worked at Manton Colliery, and had been in France seven months. He was home in August last. On May 13th he was admitted into a general hospital at Rouen, suffering from shell gas poisoning, and in a letter from the Matron to Mrs. Wood written on that date, she describes his condition as being very critical. A further letter was received from her on April 19th and on the 21st, Mrs. Wood had a telegram informing her of his death. The deceased soldier was a pioneer, and evidently was up the line during a German bombardment. He was smart and active, steady and well conducted, and his death will be much regretted by those who knew him. He was 27 Years of age and great sympathy are expressed with his widow and two little boys aged six and four. His brother –in-Law, Gunner J. Oxby, is in the Canadian Regiment now fighting for the old country. Pte. Wood was a son of Mr. George Wood, Canal row, and his wife is a daughter of Mrs. Oxby, Garden City, Kilton Row.
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. William may have formerly been number 2579 of the Notts Yeomanry. William also had a brother, Frank, who was killed (gassed) in France on the 9th May 1915. Research by Colin Dannatt
