William Henry Wood aka William Hood

First Name: 
William
Middle Name: 
Henry
Last Name: 
Wood
Mother's Name: 
Elizabeth Wood
Date Enlisted: 
Friday, August 6, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Lieutenant
Unit: 
Machine Gun Battalion
Company: 
12th
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Details: 

William Wood was born in Bulli, N.S.W. around 1894. William enlisted in Newcastle using the name William Hood (Service No 3793).  William stated he was 21 years of age; he was single and worked as a farmer.

William embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A29 Suevic with 13th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement on 20th December 1915.  He arrived in Egypt and was transferred to 45th Battalion on 6th March 1916 but was then transferred to 12th Machine Gun Company on 26th March and arrived in France with them on 11th June 1916.

William was promoted to Corporal on 6th August 1916 and saw service on the Western Front as a machine gunner.  On 31st July 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant, having been selected for Officer Cadet School on 29th May 1917. 

On 19th August 1917 William submitted a statutory declaration advising his true name (William Henry Wood).

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 5th October 1917 and posted to 4th Machine Gun Battalion that same day.  William received his final promotion, Lieutenant, on 5th January 1918.

On 8th May 1918 William was recommended for the Military Cross for his actions at Villers Bretonneux however this was not awarded. 

On 18th June 1918, William was wounded in action but was able to remain on duty.  On 4th July 1918, during the successful battle for Hamel, William was wounded in action, having received a gun shot wound to his right thigh. He was evacuated to hospital dangerously ill but eventually recovered.

William was returned to Australia in June 1919, and discharged on 21st September 1919.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, WOOD W H