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 in March 1891,the eldest child born to Thomas Edward Wood and his wife Jane (nee Fogg). His parents married in 1899 at St Mary's Church, Birkenhead. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 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 35, both parents were born in Birkenhead. Also present in the household are siblings, all born in Birkenhead; Mary 7, John B. 4, Helena 3, Agnes A. 1, Edward 1mth, 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 is 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 13 and Agnes is 11. There is also a boarder living in the household. His parents advise that they have been married for 21 years and have had six children, of whom five have survived. 

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, 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 13^th February 1916, aged 24.

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.

Soldiers Effects to father Thomas Edward, Pension to mother Jane.

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

Thomas Stanley is commemorated on the following Memorials:

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

Birkenhead Civic Memorial.

His parents and three sisters were all living at 29 Oriel Road, Birkenhead in 1919 while his brother, John Boswell Wood, lived at 236 Beckwith Street, Birkenhead.

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.