Wilfred Wood VC

Wilfred Wood was born in Hazel Grove on 2nd February 1897 and was a private from the 10th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers, and was awarded the Victoria Cross on 28th October 1918 for his bravery and initiative at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy which took place between 24 October to 3rd November 1918 and was seen as a decisive victory that contributed to the end of the War.

His selfless actions whilst under fire caused hundreds of enemy soldiers to surrender. He returned home to Hazel Grove working for London and North Western Railway (LNWR) for 46 years, and was married to Bessie for 57 years.

Wilfred Wood died in Stockport on 3 January 1982 and was cremated at Stockport Crematorium on 8th January, 1982 and his ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.

Wilfred Wood’s citation

On 28th October 1918, near Casa Van, Italy, when a unit on the right flank having been held up by hostile machine guns and snipers, Pte. Wood, on his own initiative, worked forward with his Lewis gun, enfiladed the enemy machine-gun nest, and caused 140 enemy to surrender. The advance was continued till a hidden machine gun opened fire at point blank range. Without a moment's hesitation Pte. Wood charged the machine gun, firing his Lewis gun from the hip at the same time. He killed the machine-gun crew, and without further orders pushed on and enfiladed a ditch from which three officers and 160 men subsequently surrendered. The conspicuous valour and initiative of this gallant soldier in the face of intense rifle and machine-gun fire was beyond all praise.

Wilfred Wood’s commemorative service will be held Sunday 28 October 2018 at 10:30am at Hazel Grove War Memorial, laying wreaths and unveiling the paving stone will be The Mayor of Stockport, the family of Wilfred Wood, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and The Royal British Legion.