Early life -Birth and Family

Harry was born on 21st June 1882 in Pocklington, Newton on Derwent near York. His father John Wood was an agricultural labourer and his mother Maria Nichol Dey.

Career

Harry enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in 1903 and at 37 years old was a Corporal during the First World War. On 13th October 1918 at Saint-Python, France when the advance was desperately opposed and the streets of the village were raked by fire, Corporal Wood’s platoon sergeant was killed and he took command of the leading platoon. The River Selle had to be crossed and the ruined bridge gained, although the space in front of it was full of snipers, so the corporal carried a very large brick into the open space, lay behind it and firing continuously on the snipers, covered his men while they worked their way across. Later in the day he repeatedly drove off enemy counter-attacks.

Official VC citation: [London Gazette, 14 December 1918]. St Python, France, 13 October 1918, 16444 Corporal (Lance-Sergeant) Harry Wood MM, 2nd Bn, Scots Guards.:-

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during operations at the village of St. Python, France, on 13 October 1918. The advance was desperately opposed by machine guns and the streets were raked by fire. His platoon sergeant 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 covered by snipers. Corporal 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."

He later achieved the rank of Lance-Sergeant. 

He was in the Scots Guards (1903 – 1918.

He returned home a hero and was chosen, as one of Britain's bravest men, to be part of the guard of honour for
the burial of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey in 1920.

Tragic death

His nerves were badly affected by his wartime experiences. Whilst on honeymoon in Bristol, he was walking with his wife when a vehicle mounted the pavement and headed towards them. She pushed her husband out of the way but herself was pinned against a wall. He had a seizure and slipped into a coma where he passed away 6 weeks later in Bristol Mental Hospital (which is now a museum).

Buried on 20th August 1924 at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Soldiers Corner Grave 1738.

Harry’s Victoria Cross in on display at York Castle Museum.