Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Cyril Gordon Wood was born on 16th September 1893 in Dorking to wine and spirit merchant and clerk accountant Charles Herbert and Susannah/Susanna Grace (nee Shearburn). He was baptised on 19th October 1893 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 96 High Street in Dorking.
Cyril’s father Charles was born about 1855 in Dorking to grocer and tallow chandler Thomas and Fanny. At the time of the 1861 Census, the family lived on the North Side of High Street and Charles’ father Thomas was employing seven assistants and three boys in the Grocery and three tallow chandlers. The family also had three servants.
Cyril’s mother Susannah was born on 30th November 1856 to builder William Joseph and Mary. Susannah was baptised on 14th January 1858 at St Paul’s church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at South Street in Dorking. During the 1871 Census, the family still resided there and employed two servants. Charles married Susanna in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in the Strand in London.
Cyril had three siblings: Frances Grace, Herbert Edward and Gladys May.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 96 High Street in Dorking and comprised of Charles, who worked as a wine and spirit merchant, Susannah, who was a grocer and looked after their children Frances and Herbert. The family also employed a servant.
Charles Herbert appears to run a joint business with his father Thomas: as a Thomas Wood, grocer and wine seller, of 96 High Street, in Dorking, applied in 1893 for an additional excise licence to sell beer to be consumed off the premises.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family still lived at 96 High Street, in Dorking. Apart from Charles, a wine and spirit merchant and his wife Susanna the household consisted of their children, Frances, Cyril and Gladys. The family employed also one servant.
Cyril was educated at the Christ’s Hospital School.
Sixteen year old Cyril, signed on 28th April 1910 in London, a four year apprentice indenture in the merchant navy. Cyril was bound to Andrew Weir & Co, Glasgow.
Firstly, Cyril served on the Thornliebank owned by Mr Weir, as an apprentice and 3rd mate. He commenced on 28th April 1910 until 28th November 1913.
By the time of the 1911 Census, the family moved to 38 Rollscourt Avenue, Herne Hill, Lambeth in London. Charles was working as a clerk accountant; his wife Susannah was at home; their daughter Frances was working as a secretary to an electrical engineer; their son Herbert was working as a clerk for insurance brokers; and Gladys was still at school. The family was looked after by a servant. The accommodation had nine rooms.
Since 17th January 1914 until 6th of June 1914, Cyril served as the 4th mate on the SS Luceric.
On 5th August 1914 Cyril received the Masters and Mates Certificate issued at the port of New York, USA. It was a Certificate of Competency as second mate of a foreign going square rigged ship in the Merchant Service. Cyril served at sea for three years, eleven months and twenty days. At the time of receiving the certificate Cyril lived at 31 Holmdene Avenue, Herne Hill. He was 6 feet and 3 inches tall, had grey eyes, brown hair and fair complexion.
According to the 1915 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, at the outbreak of the war, Cyril was first on the list of volunteers at the British Consult Office, NY, where his vessel was in port. Once in England he was given commission as Lieutenant of the 6th Battalion the East Lancashire Regiment. His brother Herbert was the Captain of the same 6th Battalion the East Lancashire Regiment.
LIEUT. C. G. WOOD DIES FROM WOUNDS
We regret to hear that Lieut. Cyril Gordon Wood, second son of Mr. H. Wood, late of Dorking, who was wounded in the Dardanelles, has died from his injuries.
Cyril Wood Death Notice Dorking Advertiser Ancestry.co.uk
Cyril left Aldershot for the Dardanelles on 13th June 1915. He disembarked in Gallipoli in June 1915. Cyril was wounded on 9th August 1915 at Sari Bair in Gallipoli, Dardanelles. He died either on 19th or 20th of September 1915 from his injuries in Malta.
Pieta Military Cemetery Roll of Honour
© CWGC
He is buried at the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. His grave registration number is: B.XIII.2.
Cyril is also commemorated at the Dorking South Street Memorial and the St Martin’s Church Memorial.
Around the time of Cyril’s death his family lived at 3 Fairholme Road in West Kensington and at 16 Stanwick Road at West Kensington.
In 1915, Cyril’s father received £59, 16s and 6d and £10, 7s and 11d in Soldier’s Effects.
Cyril Gordon Wood was awarded the British War and Victory Medals and the 1915 Star.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles Herbert and Susannah Grace (nee Shearburn) Wood of 96 High Street, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 19th September 1915 | |
| Place of Death | Malta | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 22 | |
| Cemetery | Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta |
