Pte 16879 Thomas Stanley Wood

• Age: 24
• From: Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 13th February 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: O.16

Thomas Stanley Wood was born in Tranmere, Birkenhead on the 02nd March 1891, the eldest child born to Thomas Edward Wood and his wife Jane (née Fogg) who were married on the 10th September 1889 at St Mary's Church, Birkenhead. Thomas senior was a 24 year old stoker of 311 Bank Street, his father, John Boswell, was a tobacconist, whilst Jane was aged 24 of 178 Oliver Street, her father, Thomas, was a labourer. Stanley was baptised on the 10th May 1891 at St John the Evangelist Church, in Birkenhead, his father, was a stoker.

On the 1891 Census the family are living at at 178 Oliver Street where Jane’s mother is a boarding house keeper. Widowed, Mary Fogg, is aged 63, born in St. Helens, his mother, Jane, is aged 27, his father, Thomas, is aged 26, a sailor, with newborn son Thomas S.(all born Birkenhead).

The 1901 Census shows the family have moved to 95 Brougham Street, Birkenhead. Thomas Stanley, is aged 10. His father, Thomas E. is a 35 year old, general labourer whilst his mother, Jane, is aged 35, both parents were born in Birkenhead. Also present in the household are siblings, all born in Birkenhead; are Mary, aged 7, John B., aged 4, Helena, aged 3, Agnes A., aged 1, Edward, aged 1 month, and Jane's mother Mary Fogg who is shown as a widow, aged 71.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 29 Oriel Road, Birkenhead. He is shown as Stanley, aged 20, and is employed as a stevedore’s clerk living with his parents and four siblings. Mary is aged 17, John, is a 14 year old errand boy, Helena, is aged 13 and Agnes, is aged 11. There is also a boarder living in the household. His father, Thomas, is a 45 year old fireman, his mother, Jane, is also aged 45, and they advise that they have been married for 21 years and have had six children, of whom five have survived. 

Prior to enlistment Stanley was a clerk at Arthur Wigdahl and Co., stevedores, 4 Canning Chambers, Strand Street, Liverpool.

Stanley enlisted as Thomas Stanley Wood at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02^nd September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16879. He gave his age as 29 years and 178 days, and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5' 7 and a half inches in height", weighed 122 lbs, with a 34" chest. He was of a fresh complexion, with grey eyes and brown hair. He stated that his religion was Church of England. He gave his next of kin as his mother, Jane Wood, of 29 Oriel Road, Tranmere.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He served in France from 07^th November 1915, earning his 3 medals.

He was admitted to a Field Ambulance for an operation on his knee on 26^th January 1916. He was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16879 when he was killed in action on the 13^th February 1916, aged 24.

18th Battalion War Diary 

CARNOY.

11th Feb. - Relieved 2nd Yorks in trenches.

12th Feb. - In trenches. Intermittent shelling by enemy. 

13th Feb. - In trenches. Intermittent shelling of CARNOY and Battn. Headquarters by enemy. 

Casualties killed 18/16879 Pte T. S. Wood.

On the 19th February his pocket money was sent to the Base Cashier at Rouen (65ct French). 

His death was announced in the Birkenhead News on Wednesday 23rd February 1916

South-End “Pal” killed.

Sniped Whilst cleaning His Rifle.

The first South-end “Pal” to fall is Pte. Stanley Wood, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Wood, who reside at 29, Oriel-road, Rock Ferry. Pte. Wood, who was 24 years of age, joined the second battalion soon after its formation, and he went out with it to France four months ago. Before joining he was employed as a clerk at the offices of Messrs. Wigdahl and Co., stevedores and cotton porters, of Liverpool. The following letter has been received by the family from Capt. Guy Ravenscroft: “It is with much sorrow that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Stanley, which occurred early yesterday morning, Feb. 13th. He was cleaning his rifle in an advanced sap[trench] when he was shot through the neck by a German sniper. We buried him this morning (14th) about a mile behind the firing line, a few of his particular friends and myself being present. Please accept our most sincere sympathy for yourself and family in your bereavement.”

[Captain Ravenscroft also lost his life, on the 17th October 1916]

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £2 7s 7d and £6 War Gratuity went to his father Thomas Edward, Pension to his mother Jane.

He now rests at Carnoy Cemetery, Grave O 16, France.

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

Personal items returned:- 2 discs, cigarettes, parade service book, gospel, tobacco pouch, pipe, lighter, shoulder badges, leather pocket case cont photos, packet of letters and photos, cap badge.

His death was also reported in the Birkenhead News on Saturday 30th December 1916;

Fallen in the War.

Like all other centres of population in the kingdom, Birkenhead and district has suffered the loss of many gallant sons who have fallen in the war during the year. The list following is not represented as a complete one, but we do not think that many names will be found to have been omitted.

Stanley Wood, 2nd K.L.R.

On the 1921 Census at Oriel Road, his father, Thomas, is aged 55, a boiler fireman at Lever’s, his mother, Jane, is aged 55, with daughters Mary, aged 27 and Agnes, aged 21.

On the 1939 Register, Thomas, date of birth the 09th October 1865, is with wife Jane, date of birth 17th November 1863, and daughter Helena.

His mother died, aged 87, in 1951 and his father, aged 87, in 1953.

Thomas Stanley is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 32 Left

Birkenhead Civic Memorial.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Stanley Wood, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.