Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Wood was born in Bendigo, the son of William and Minnie Wood.    His father was well known as the Secretary of the Bendigo Stock Exchange, but had died at some time prior to 1915.    His mother married Charles Frederick Durham in 1915, and lived at 54 Hargreaves St, Bendigo.    Charles Wood completed a 3 year apprenticeship as a Draper with R. O. Henderson of the Beehive Stores, and was employed as a salesman in the dress department.

On 7th July, 1915, Charles Wood Enlisted for service in the A.I.F., aged 19.    There are no details of the following months included in his Service Record other than his appointment to the 5th Reinforcements of the 24th Battalion, with Service No. 2453.    He probably qualified as a Signaller during this period.   On 29.9.15 he embarked on “Osterley” for service abroad.

He Disembarked in Egypt and joined the 24th Battalion on 10.1.16.    At this time the Australian Troops were in the process of re-organization, with specialist units being formed.   Charles Wood was transferred from the 24th Battalion to the 6th Machine Gun Company.   On 19.3.16 he embarked for France.

In a letter to Mr. J. M. Carmichael, of the Beehive Stores, Charles Wood wrote:- “France, 31/12/16 – When acknowledging the parcel I received from the Beehive thought I had better do so through you, as you happen to be the only one left in the department I worked, so will leave it to you to thank everybody for the way they have thought of us fellows over here.   You do not know how it brings back old memories to receive anything from our friends in Australia, besides cheering us up.   I can tell you we need something to cheer us, when living under the present conditions, with mud in places over one’s knees, but still the boys are pretty happy.   I noticed by the memo enclosed that there are still a good number of the old hands I worked with going strong.   I also want you to thank the ones I do not happen to know for thinking of us over here, . . . .  We spent a very quiet Christmas in reserves, but both sides were very active with their artillery.   Our fellows gave Fritz a busy time, and occasionally he opened up on us.   We had the bad luck to lose one of our best gunners, also a few wounded.   I will leave it to you to convey my appreciation and thanks to all concerned.”   

 [Bendigonian   1 March 1917]

On 13.7.17 Charles Wood was Wounded, sustaining a Gun Shot Wound to the 4th toe on his left foot.   He was taken to the 5th Field Ambulance and then transferred to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station.   The Wound was stated to be self-inflicted, which was later adjusted to ‘Wounded, self inflicted without negligence.’    He was tried at a Court Martial on 14.8.17 and found to be Not Guilty.    (N.B. A Self-inflicted wound was a “crime”)

“AN INTERESTING SOUVENIR

In one of the Beehive windows in Pall Mall is shown a belt with water bottle attached, taken from the body of a dead German in France by Signaller Charles Wood, who, previous to enlistment in the Australian Imperial Forces, was a salesman in the Beehive dress department.   The belt is studded with the crests and badges of many famous British regiments, also found on the battlefield, and is a tragic memento of the great war.   The belt has been four months in transit from France to his mother in Bendigo, and since its despatch Signaller Wood has, unfortunately, been reported among the wounded.”

[Bendigonian   20 September 1917]

He was granted 10 day’s Leave to England on 17.8.17.

In a letter to Mr Geo. Trevean, of the Beehive Stores, Charles Wood wrote: “France, 29/9/17. – Just think of it, two years since I left the shores of Australia to-day.   What a lot has happened in that time.   One cannot realise what he has been through and what he has seen, only hope it will not be another two years; Fine weather has favoured us these last few weeks, and I can tell you our fellows have made the best of things and given Fritz some hurry up.   The Australians have done marvellous work, as you will observe by the daily papers.   You can get far more news from them than what I am permitted to write, owing to having to deal with the censor.   Have partaken in two stunts since I returned from my English leave, and each time the Australians have always gained their objectives.   The same can also be said of the other British regiments who took part.   The Scotties have done great work.   You will always find the Jocks and Australians where there is anything doing. . . . .   The Jocks will always do the Australians, and well they have found it out since they have been in France.   The first stunt we were in was our own division, and another Australian division.   Before our fellows went over our artillery opened up with a most tremendous bombardment, which no doubt put the wind up Fritz.   All objectives were taken, and very soon afterwards prisoners came streaming back, going as fast as their legs would take them.   Others had to carry their guns out, but our fellows finished the day by adding another victory to their list.   Fritz counter-attacked three or four times, but got his knock back each time.   Next time we were in two fresh lots for 48 hours, quite enough too, as he put his big shells over thick and heavy.  A big number of prisoners was again taken.   You have no idea how our artillery is pasting Fritz.   We think he is giving us a rough spin, but it is really nothing to what he is getting.   Our fellows have far the upper hand in everything.   We will be having another stunt in a few more days.   It’s the only way to break Fritz’s backbone; give him no rest at all, and, take it from me, he is not getting it day and night.   Even if the infantry are not at him.   Our artillery never stops.   It’s one continuous bombardment.   I only hope the weather keeps good.   Though it means harder times for us it will hasten the end of this business.   Our fellows have got to do all they can before the wet weather sets in again.   Once the weather breaks and we begin to get the mud, everything comes to a standstill.   You cannot imagine the noise the guns make when they open up.   One cannot hear himself talk.   The other evening, after we had been relieved and returned to our bivouac, witnessed one of Fritz’s planes try to destroy one of our balloons.   When he got within firing distance he opened up with his machine gun on it.   Our fellows, thinking the bullets were coming too close for their liking, came out in their parachutes.   Just then our anti-aircraft and machine guns, specially mounted for that work, opened fire on the plane.   Fritz not liking his position turned and went for his life back to his own lines, and our balloons were afterwards brought to the ground in safety.   The observers also landed alright as far as we know.   At present it is moonlight, so of course Fritz makes the best use of it and sends his planes over in bombing raids each night.   Just about 10 p.m. you hear a thud, thud, then the antis opened up and a few lively minutes pass, but it is very hard to get on to a plane at night, being too hard to pick up.   Of course the searchlights come into use.”

[Bendigonian   13 December 1917]

During one of the ‘stunts’ mentioned in his letter, Charles Wood was Recommended for the Military Medal.

“Aus. Bde.  2nd Aus. Divn.  1st Anzac Corps

Date of Recommendation 25.9.17.

Recommended by J. Paton, Brig, Gen’l, Commdg 6th Aust. Inf. Bde.

Honour or Reward   M.M.

Action for which commended :   2453 Pte. Charles WOOD.

At Westhoek during the attack of the 20th Sept., 1917, this man on three successive occasions and under very heavy shell fire repaired his broken telephone lines thus maintaining the necessary communications between the Group Commander and the three batteries.

Owing to Signaller Wood’s promptness and lack of regard for personal risk loss of communication was in each instance only a matter of a few minutes.

N. M. Smyth Maj. Gen’l Commdg.  1st Aust. Divn.”

The Award was confirmed on 31.10.17.         

(Promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette no 66, 2nd May 1918)

“Word has been received in Bendigo to the effect that Signaller Charles Wood, of the 6th Battalion [sic], has been awarded the Military Medal.   Signaller Wood is the son of Mrs. Durham, of M’Crae-street, and the late Mr. W. J. Wood, who was a well-known Bendigo sharebroker.   Prior to enlisting he was employed in the dress department at the Beehive stores.”

[Bendigonian   3 January 1918]

“That her son, Signaller Charles Wood, Machine Gun Company, 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, had been awarded by his Majesty the King a Military Medal for bravery in the field, was the pleasing intelligence received by Mrs. M. Durham, 54 Hargreaves-street, Tuesday morning.   The recipient is a son of the late Mr. W. Wood (formerly chaiman of the Stock Exchange) and Mrs Durham, and has been away on active service for nearly three years, just missing the Gallipoli campaign, but seeing most of the fighting in France.   He was employed at the Beehive prior to enlistment.”

[Bendigonian   6 June 1918]

Charles Wood was detached for Duty at the Brigade Signal School on 3.2.18.     He then returned to the 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion.  For his actions on 4.6.18 he was again Recommended for a decoration.

“2nd Aust MG Btn.   2nd Aus. Divn, Aust. Corps

Date of Recommendation  17.6.18

Recommended by C.O. 2nd Aus. M.G. Btn

Honour or Reward       Bar to M.M.    

Action for which commended: 2nd Aus M. G. Btn. A.I.F.

2453 Pte Charles WOOD M.M.

At TREUX near ALBERT on the morning of 14th June, 1918, this man showed great courage and devotion to duty while repairing telephone lines.   Eight breaks were mended despite an extremely heavy enemy bombardment.   While testing the line at MARRETT WOOD, Section H.Q., a shell buried an officer and two men.   Pte Wood although badly shaken obtained help from the nearest gun crew, and after assisting in extricating the officer, he again proceeded to establish communication.   He had to go out again and mend two new breaks, displaying great coolness and disregard of danger.

(Sigd) C. Rosesthal, Maj. Gen’l.  Commdg. 2nd Aus. Divn.”

On 12.7.18 Charles Wood was Awarded a Bar to the Military Medal.

(Promulgated London Gazette  21 October 1918)

                        “SOLDIER HONORED.

                        BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL.

The parents of Signaller C. Woods, M.M., 6th Australian Machine Gun Co., have received word that their son has been awarded a bar to his Military Medal, which was awarded him about 12 months ago.   Previous to enlistment, Signaller Woods was employed in the Beehive dress department.”

[Bendigonian   24 October 1918]

He was granted English Leave from 28.8.18-14.9.18.    On his return to France he was detached for duty at the School of Instruction (20.9.18).   He embarked for England on 12.2.19 and entered the 2nd Training Battalion Camp at Codford.     He was Absent Without Leave from midnight on 3.3.19 until 20.30 on 5.3.19, for which he was awarded 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 and the forfeiture of 4 days’ pay.     He embarked on 13.4.19 for Return to Australia.

“Members of the Beehive Staff who Served in the Great War”: Larna Malone

Charles WOOD

Charles Wood’s family was one of the earliest on the Goldfields  arriving in Bendigo in 1851. His grandfather was also Charles Wood a miner originally however, then a successful Bendigo merchant and his father William was the Secretary of the Bendigo Stock Exchange.

Address; 54 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
Marital status: Single
Age at enlistment: 20
Next of kin: Mother, Mrs M Durham, 54 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo

Charles arrived too late in Egypt to serve at Gallipoli. 

He was transferedr to the newly formed Machine Gun Company in March 1916, as the AIF 'doubled' and established the supporting Arms needed on the Western Front, and embarked for France with his new unit.

The public of Bendigo first read about Charles’s war in September 1917: - ‘In one of the Beehive windows in Pall Mall is shown a belt with water bottle attached, taken from the body of a dead German in France by Signaller Charles Wood, who, previous to enlistment in the Australian Imperial Forces, was a salesman in the Beehive dress department. The belt is studded with the crests and badges of many famous British regiments also found on the battlefield, and is a tragic memento of the great war. The belt has been four months in transit from France to his mother in Bendigo, and since its despatch Signaller Wood has, unfortunately, been reported among the wounded’.[1]

In December 1917, they read a rather long and informative letter from Charles written to a colleague at the Beehive store: -    ‘Mr. Geo. Trevean. of the Beehive Stores has received the following letter from Signaller Chas. Wood, of the 2nd Australian Division, who, prior to his enlistment two years ago, was a junior salesman in the dress department of the Beehive. He writes from France as follows :----

"France, 29/9/17. Just think of it, two years since I left the shores of Australia to-day. What a lot has happened in that time. One cannot realise what he has been through and what he has seen, only hope it will not be another two years. Fine weather has favored us these last few weeks, and I can tell you our fellows have made the best of things and given Fritz some hurry up. The Australians have done marvellous work, as you will observe by the daily papers. You can get far more news from them than what I am permitted to write, owing to having to deal with the censor. Have partaken in two stunts since I returned from my English leave, and each time the Australian's have always gained their objectives. The same can also be said of the other British regiments who took part. The Scotties have done great work. You will always find the Jocks and Australians where there is any thing doing. John Carmichael has every reason for being proud of his countrymen. The Jocks will always do the Australians, and well they have found it out since they have been in France. The first stunt we were in was our own division, and another Australian division. Before our fellows went over our artillery opened up with a most tremendous bombardment, which no doubt put the wind up Fritz. All objectives were taken, and very soon afterwards prisoners came streaming back, going as fast as their legs would take them. Others had to carry their guns out, but our fellows finished the day by adding another victory to their list. Fritz counter-attacked three or four times, but got his knock back each time. Next time we were in two fresh lots for 48 hours, quite enough, too, as he put his big shells over thick and heavy. A big number of prisoners was again taken. . . You have no idea how our artillery, is pasting Fritz. We think he is giving us a rough spin, but it is really nothing to what he is getting. Our fellows have far the upper hand in everything. We will be having another stunt in a few more days. It's the only way to break Fritz's backbone ; give him no rest at all, and, take it from me, he is not getting it day and night. Even if the infantry are not at him. Our artillery never stops. It's one continuous bombardment. I only hope the weather keeps good. Though it means harder times for us it will hasten the end of this business. Our fellows have got to do all they can before the wet weather sets in again. Once the weather breaks and we begin to get the mud, everything comes to a standstill….."[2]

Finally in January 1918, Bendigo would the good news on Charles heroics in France: -  ‘We hear Word has been received in Bendigo to the effect that Signaller Charles Wood of the 6th Battalion, has been awarded the Military Medal. Signaller Wood is the son of Mrs Durham, of McCrae-street and the late Mr. W. J. Wood. who was a well known Bendigo shareholder. Prior to en listing he was employed in the dress department at the Beehive stores.’[3]                                                           

[1] Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918)  Fri 14 Sep 1917  Page 5

[2] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 13 Dec 1917  Page 4  LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS.
[3] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 3 Jan 1918  Page 8 SOLDIERS HONORED. AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL.

Military Medal

'At WESTHOEK during the attack of the 20th September 1917 this man on three successive occasions and under very heavy shell fire repaired his broken telephone lines thus mantaining the necessary communication between the Group Commander and the three Batteries. Owing to Signaller Wood's promptness and lack of regard for personal risk loss of communication was in each instance only a matter of a few minutes.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918
 

Bar to Military Medal

'At TREUX near ALBERT on the morning of 14th June, 1918, this man showed great courage and devotion to duty while repairing telephone lines. Eight breaks were mended despite an extremely heavy enemy bombardment. While testing the line at MARRETT WOOD, Section Headquarters, a shell buried an Officer and two men. Private WOOD, although badly shaken obtained help from in extricating the officer, he again proceeded to establish communication. he had to go out again and mend two new breaks displaying great coolness and disregard of danger.'