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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 745

Three: Private G. W. Wood, Vryheid (Wakkerstroom) Commando, South African Forces, who saw varied service in German South West Africa, and later as 'Company Barber' in England

1914-15 Star (Pte. G. W. Wood. Vryheid Cdo.); British War Medal (Pte. G. W. Wood. 4th S.A.I.); bi-lingual Victory Medal (Pte. G. W. Wood. Vryheid. Cdo.), very fine and scarce (3)

One of 220 men who served with the Vryheid Commando during the Great War.

George William Wood was born on 12 February 1879 at West Stanley, Durham, the son of John Wood, a coal miner. He followed his father down the pits and in 1909 emigrated to South Africa where he continued to work as a miner.

Wood attested for the Vryheid Commando on 15 January 1915 and served with 3 Brigade. Following the surrender of German forces at Windhuk, Wood was discharged on 7 August 1915, but re-attested at Potchefstroom in December 1915 with the 4th South African Infantry.

On 24 March 1916, Wood embarked for England and was taken on strength approximately 3 weeks later. A period of furlough followed, from which he failed to return, mainly due to ill discipline. Wood was later admitted to the Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, suffering from venereal disease, and again a month later with osteo myclitis. Appointed Company Barber on 10 October 1916, he served in this role for the remainder of the war, being discharged at Bordon on 15 January 1918. Wood returned home to Natal giving his destination address as the Glencoe Collieries, Hattingspruit, his military character being somewhat remarkably given as 'very good'; sold with copied service papers.

http://gmic.co.uk/topic/45805-ww1-south-african-medals/


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Sold for
£80