Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of four to Major J. H. Wood, Durham Light Infantry

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Capt., Durh. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) nearly extremely fine (4) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Durham Light Infantry and associated units.

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John Hardy Wood was born in Winchfield on 12 April 1877, son of Arthur Hardy Wood, J.P. of Duddleswell, Sussex and educated at Stubbington House School, Fareham. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 15 January 1900 and was promoted Lieutenant on 23 September 1901. He was then employed with the West African Frontier Force, January 1905 to May 1910, being promoted to Captain on 2 June 1909. In the Great War he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war with the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 8 September 1914. He was promoted Major on 7 October 1915, was wounded, and on 22 June 1916 he was placed on Half Pay because of ill-health, only returning to Full Pay in March 1918. For his wartime services he was awarded the O.B.E. (London Gazette 3 June 1919). After the war he was employed at the Infantry Records Office at Hamilton, November 1919-March 1921, being placed on Retired Pay in June 1923. Sold with copied research.