Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant F. J. Wood, Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy, killed in action 16 January 1941

British War and Victory Medals (Gnr., R.N.); Royal Humane Society Medal, small, bronze, successful, unnamed, with buckle; Italy, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed, last with edge bruising, nearly very fine; others good very fine (4) £240-280

Frederick James Wood was born on 7 March 1892 at Ware, Hertfordshire. A Farm Boy by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on H.M.S. Ganges on 7 January 1908, being advanced to Boy 2nd Class in September the same year. His first sea-going appointment was in September 1908 aboard the armoured cruisers, Cressy and then Sutlej. As a Boy 1st Class he was on the latter ship when she provided aid following the devastating Messina Earthquake. His name is listed on the roll (see Angels in Blue Jackets) as having landed and being entitled to the Messina Earthquake Medal. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman aboard Implacable in March 1910 and to Ordinary Seaman aboard the same vessel in April 1911.

Wood was advanced to Leading Seaman in September 1913 when on Actaeon and Petty Officer in August 1915 when at Pembroke III. Again on Actaeon, Petty Officer Wood and a C. R. Walker jointly rescued a man from the sea and were each awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze with Certificate. The citation (R.H.S. Case No. 43050) reads, ‘At 11.30 a.m. on the 20th November, 1916, a man fell overboard from his vessel in the Estuary of the Thames, the sea being choppy and the vessel going 12 knots. Frederick J. Wood, Petty Officer, and C.R. Walker at once jumped after him and kept him afloat till they were picked up’. Wood was appointed an Acting Gunner in March 1917 and was confirmed in that rank on 12 June 1918. Wood was appointed Chief Gunner in March 1927 and Lieutenant in February 1938.

During the 1920’s he was lent to the Royal Australian Navy. In January 1941 he was again lent to the Royal Australian Navy and was appointed to a R.A.N. Minelayer about to be commissioned. His papers state ‘Presumed killed in action, 16th January 1941’ - probably killed on his way to take up his appointment. His ‘ship’ was stated to be H.M.A.S. Cerebus II - the London/Washington R.A.N. Depot.

With copied service papers.