Pte 58057 Horace Wood

• Age: 21
• From: Keighley, Yorks
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 9th June 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Horace Wood was born on the 12th April 1896 in Bingley the son of Parkinson Wood and his wife Lucy Alice (née Hey) who were married on the 25th January 1896 at St John's Church, Ingrow and Hainworth, Keighley. Parkinson was a 22 year old quarryman of Cross Roads, father John a farmer, whilst Lucy was aged 21 also of Cross Roads, father Smith Hey, a comber (wool prep). Horace was baptised on the 11th August 1891 at St James, Crossroads cum Lees, Haworth, his father a quarryman of Balcony Terrace, Cross Road. 

The 1901 Census shows 4 year old Horace living with his mother and father at 26 Keighley Road, Haworth. His father is a stone quarryman born in Bingley in 1874. His mother was born in Shelf, Yorkshire in 1875. 

By 1911 the family have moved to 34 Barcroft, Cross Roads, Keighley and 14 year old Horace is now a shoe makers apprentice. His father is aged 37, a quarryman, mother is 35, and Horace has a younger brother John Albert born in Haworth in 1902. 

Horace enlisted in London, joining the Army Cyclist Corps as Private 16364 and following a transfer was serving in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment when was killed in action on 09th June 1917, aged 21. 

The 17th Battalion diary gives details of his loss:

SUPPORT TRENCHES PEPERINGHE - ABEELE AREA

8TH -9TH

Battalion in Front and Support lines.(B & D Coys. in front line).

11.30 PM Relief commenced by 2nd Bn R.S.F. Battalion less one coy. marched to Vlamertinghe, and entrained for Poperinghe. Detrained at Poepringhe and marched to Billets in Area between Poepringhe and Abeele.

6.30 AM  Arrived in Billets. ("B" Company remained in Front Line attached to 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regt).

Casualties 8/9-6-17 killed 4 O.R. Wounded 11 O.R. 

Horace Wood was one of the 4 O.R. killed in action.

His death was reported in the Bradford Daily Telegraph on Monday 25 June 1917;

LOCAL HEROES.

Pte Horace Wood, Lees (killed).  

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £2 12s 2d, £5 War Gratuity and Pension to his mother Lucy Alice, 5 Gordon Street, Lees.

On the 1921 Census at Gordon Street, father Parkinson is aged 47, a store keeper, mother Lucy is 47, John Albert 19. Also present is Ada Ann Hey 39, probably Lucy’s sister.

The family grave at Haworth Cemetery reads:-

In Loving Memory of 
ADA ANN HEY, 
of Cross Roads, 
Died Aug. 16th 1929, Aged 47 Years. 
Also HORACE, Dear Son of 
PARKINSON & LUCY WOOD, 
Killed In Action at Zillebeke 
June 9th 1917, Aged 21 Years. 
Also the above 
PARKINSON WOOD, 
Died Oct 21st 1952, Aged 78 Years. 
Also of LUCY ALICE, 
His Beloved Wife 
Died Dec. 29th 1955, Aged 80 Years. 

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