Lt Maurice Herbert Wood RFC

[shaymen]

Anyone give me any info on

Name: WOOD, MAURICE HERBERT

Initials: M H

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps

Unit Text: 59th Sqdn.

Secondary Regiment: Lincolnshire Regiment

Secondary Unit Text: and 4th Bn.

Date of Death: 13/04/1917

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL

Interested in finding out how he lost his life - He married a local Stansted Essex girl 2 months before he met his death. He was billeted in the village of Stansted whilst with the Lincolnshire Reg.

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks

Glyn

[Dolphin]

Glyn

Lt M H Wood (formerly 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment) was flying as observer in RE 8 A3190 of No 59 Sqn RFC, piloted by Capt James Maitland Stuart (formerly 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusilers), as escort to a photographic reconnaissance mission when they were shot down near Vitry-Brebieres on 13 April 1917. The victory over A3190 was credited to Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen of Jasta 11; it was the 41st of his eventual 80 victories. A photograph of Lt M H Wood, from Under the Guns of the Red Baron, by Franks, Giblin and McCreery [iSBN 1 898697 27 2] is below. The book describes the action in considerable detail.

13 April (in the month known as 'Bloody April' to the RFC) was a terrible day for No 59 Sqn, as the unit lost 5 aeroplanes, with all 10 crew members being killed. The squadron was based at La Bellevue aerodrome at the time.

I hope this is useful

Gareth

[shaymen]

Gareth

What can I say - Marvellous

Many Many Thanks

Glyn

[Stebie9173]

Gazette entries:

LG 21-6-1916

Lincoln Regt.

2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) M. H. Wood to be Lt. 17th Oct. 1915.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

LG 27-6-1917

Lincolnshire Regt.—Lt. M. H. Wood to be Capt., with precedence as from 1st June 1916, next below Capt. A. H. Clark. 13th June 1917.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Steve.

[shaymen]

Steve

Thanks for that info

When it comes to the Gazette - you are the man

Glyn

[jim_davies]

Shaymen,

Wood is one of the Stamford men I've been researching.

He's commemorated on the Stamford School War Memorial and the main town memorial. Prior to the war he was a "master" at Stamford GrammarSchool.

He landed with the 4th Lincs in March 1915, and as Steve shows, promoted and Mentioned in Despatches during his time at the front. Went through the attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt without injury.

On 27 Apr 1917-Stamford Mercury records him as appearing in a list of wounded. Some brief bio info-2 years assistant master at Stamford School. Educated at London University, member of OTC. Joined Lincs TF "soon after arriving in Stamford".

In Oct 1917-the Stamford Mercury carried an article recording the changing of his status from missing to killed. Mentions his marriage in April & that his "fine historical library" being donated to Stamford School.

Would be interested in any info on his marriage.

Jim

[shaymen]

Jim

Thanks for the additional info - great stuff.

I came across an article (attached) in my Local Herts and Essex Observer archive newspaper.

As I am currently writing a book about those from Stansted I just happened to check Lt Wood on ODGW and found out he had been KIA - hence my questions.

Hope the article may be of use.

Glyn

[jim_davies]

Thanks Glyn,

Much appreciated.

Jim