Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Wood was the youngest son of Scottish parents, John Wood of Highfield, Timaru, and Jessie née Laing, and the only one of their four sons to be born in New Zealand. He was born on 17 February 1882 at Oamaru. John and Jessie Wood came to New Zealand in 1880, with three young sons. The eldest son, Robert Taylor Wood was born in 1877 in Edinburgh, Scotland; the second son, Thomas Laing Wood, was born in 1878 at Alva, Scotland; the third son, John Wood, was born in 1880 in South Australia. Robert was educated at Awamoko, Temuka and Timaru Main schools; Thomas was educated at Temuka and Timaru Main schools, and in Scotland; John was educated at Timaru Main School and in Scotland. In 1881 Mr Wood joined the service of the South Canterbury Education Board and was appointed headmaster of Temuka School. He was next headmaster of Timaru Main School, a position he had to relinquish after some years on account of ill health. At this time, he returned to Scotland. In 1892, however, he was asked to return and fill the position of headmaster at Waimataitai School, which position he held for nine years until retirement. Young James may have attended Waimataitai School, and perhaps a school in Scotland.

James was a shepherd residing at Waimataitai from the early 1900s to about 1908 when he took up farming at Albury. James Wood, Waimataitai, faced a charge of indecent assault in the Supreme Court at Timaru in February 1905, pleading not guilty. The assault had occurred on 19 November 1904. J. Wood, accused’s father, showed that he persuaded his son to make an apology, though he did not know the nature of the complaint against him. He was only told that his son had “insulted” the girl. On a verdict of not guilty being returned, the accused was discharged. In January 1908, James Wood appeared before the Court in Timaru to give rebutting evidence with regards to a sitting of the Conciliation Board at Geraldine. James had possibly acquired a lease of 18 acres from Thomas Hobson, a retired farmer of Temuka who died in October 1907. “Mr James Wood, late of Timaru, employed by Mr Adams, Otaio, was on Sunday severely kicked by a horse whilst removing the cover. Dr. Barclay was sent for and rendered necessary aid, and had the sufferer removed to the Waimate hospital. Constable McClinchy was at St. Andrews at the time, and drove the patient in.” [Timaru Herald, 18 May 1909.] “A young man named Wood, son of a Mr Wood, of Timaru, received a very nastv kick from a horse at Otaio on Sunday last, when taking a cover off it. The injured man was taken to the hospital at Waimate, where Dr Barclay attended to him.” [Timaru Herald, 19 May 1909.] James Wood was fined 10 shillings when he pleaded guilty in June 1911 at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court to procuring liquor while prohibited.

James Wood was medically examined on 25 August 1914. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 65 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-38 inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue, and his hair fair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. His teeth being fair, he required dental attention. He was free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. He had a scar on the upper end of his sternum and two pigmented moles on his left groin. While his address when he enlisted with the Otago Infantry Battalion (26 August 1914) was the Empire Hotel, Christchurch, he was a shepherd for his father, whom he named as next-of-kin – J. Wood, Highfield, Timaru, single and Presbyterian. He had served in the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles for three months. Private J. Wood, Otago Infantry Regiment, was at the Base from mid-September till mid-October 1914.

Private James Wood embarked with the Otago Infantry Battalion of the Main Body, departing from Port Chalmers, Dunedin on 16 [15?] October 1914 and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 3 December. He was fined 7 shillings and sixpence on 15 January 1915 at Zeitoun. He embarked for the Dardanelles at Alexandria on 12 April 1915. Having been admitted to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Lemnos on 13 July 1915, suffering from rheumatism, he was transferred to the Hospital Ship “Gascon” two days later, then disembarking at Malta he was admitted to hospital there on 18 July. He was transferred to All Saints Camp at Malta on 11 August, then embarked for England per Hospital Ship “Ascania” on 28 August. He was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital at Birmingham on 11 September. Leaving hospital on 21 September 1915, he arrived at camp on 5 October. James forfeited 8 days’ pay on 14 October 1915 for absence without leave from Tattoo. Embarking, invalided, for New Zealand on 16 December 1915 per the “Rotorua”, he arrived back in early February 1916. He was discharged on 27 April 1916, no longer physically fit for the military forces on account of a broken wrist. And so, there was James Wood exhibiting at the Fairlie Show in April 1916 – cattle and perhaps farm produce.

James Wood rejoined on 14 November 1916. There had been only a couple of noticeable differences at his medical examination on 12 September 1916 at Blenheim. His sight was poor and there was a slight defect which was not sufficient to cause rejection – an old fracture of the wrist. The broken wrist was given as the cause of his discharge from the NZ Expeditionary Force, Main Body. He was fit. He again named his father as next-of-kin – John Wood, Highfield, Timaru. James, himself, was now residing at Dillons Point, Blenheim, where he was a labourer. Attesting on 30 October 1916, he had given his address as care of Wairau Hospital and occupation as labourer for the Wairau Hospital Board. Private Lance-Corporal James Wood was promoted to Lance-Corporal on 4 November 1916 and posted to the 23rd Reinforcements on 14 November. He reverted to Ranks on 13 January 1917 at his own request. In the next two weeks, further transfers followed.

Rifleman James Wood embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, departing from Wellington per the “Navua” on 16 February 1917 and disembarking at Devonport, England and marching into Sling on 26 April, where he was taken on the Strength of the 22nd Reinforcements. After joining the Rifle Brigade on 7 May, he left for France on 6 June. He marched in at Etaples two days later and rejoined his Battalion in the Field. After detachment to the Divisional Pack Section, he rejoined his Unit on 25 September 1917, only to be admitted to hospital the next day with neuritis (slight). Initially he was reported to be progressing favourably. On 22 October 1917, James Wood embarked for England and was admitted to the Southern General Hospital at Birmingham for a second time, neuritis. He was transferred to No.1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst on 26 November 1917. Having been attached Lieutenant for two weeks from 30 November 1917, he was report at the Base Depot at Codford on 14 December. He was then admitted to No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital at Codford on 21 December 1917, suffering from sciatica. He was discharged to Torquay on 14 January 1918. Classified unfit by the Medical Board on 24 January, he embarked for New Zealand per the “Tahiti” (Draft 149) on 1 February 1918 at Liverpool and arrived back on 19 March.

James headed for Lyndhill Farm, Albury, South Canterbury. He was discharged on 4 June 1918, no longer physically fit for War Service on account of illness contracted on Active Service. He had given a total of three years and 98 days of service in two stints and in three campaigns - Egypt, Gallipoli and Western Europe, attaining the rank of lance corporal. On 30 June 1920, James Wood replied that he wished to receive his 1914-1915 Star and on 30 July acknowledged receipt of same at Lyndhill Farm. He was also issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He had served in the Balkans (Gallipoli and Mudros), in Egypt and in Western Europe. John Wood, his father, had died on 11 July 1917 at his Timaru residence. His widow, Jessie, was the executrix and sole beneficiary of his Will. During his lifetime, John had paid the moneys derived from the warrants issued by the New Zealand Expenses Department in favour of James Wood No. 8/957 22nd Reinforcements, into the account of the late John Wood at the Post Office Savings Bank at Timaru intending to pay the moneys to their said son James Wood upon his return to New Zealand. Mrs Jessie Wood intended leaving Timaru and taking up residence at Whangarei. She applied for the allotments to be transferred to her and made payable at Whangarei. This transfer took effect from 1 July 1917, and James Wood was to be advised accordingly through the paymaster. His mother became his next-of-kin – Mrs Jessie Wood, 35 Seddon Street, Timaru, afterwards Care of P. W. Department, Whangarei, later still Lyndhill, Albury. At the meeting of the Canterbury Land Board held on 31 March 1919, the transfer to James Wood of Section 48, Albury (152 acres) was granted. James married Sarah Winter on 22 January 1919, and together they had five children before James’ death in 1929, all born at Timaru - John Laing (1919), Jessie Laing (1921), William Winter (1922), Cynthia June (1924) and James Muir (1926). John, Jessie and William all started their schooling at Albury.

On 7 March 1928 at the Timaru Magistrate’s Court, James Wood was charged that, on March 6, at Fairlie, while in a state of intoxication, he was found in charge of a motorcar on the main road to Albury. He was further charged with procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, on March 6 and on February 28. Accused. had purchased a bottle of whisky at Fairlie. He had got drunk and while in such a state he had driven his car into a bridge, and had afterwards gone to sleep. He was a man who should not have a driver’s license. Defence counsel said that accused’s lapses had been caused by domestic troubles. Last month these troubles had come to a climax, and had completely unbalanced the accused. Since last October accused had kept off drink, and an endeavour had been made to patch up his domestic worries. Any penalty made would fall on his wife and five children, and it was hoped that for this reason leniency would be extended. The Magistrate said that a fine, would impose a hardship on the family, and therefore, on the first charge accused would be sentenced to 14 days’ hard labour in Timaru prison. On the second charge, he was convicted and ordered to pay costs, 20s; and on the third, was convicted and discharged. Later in March, his drinking problem came to a head, when his wife, Sarah Wood, proceeded against him for a maintenance, separation and guardianship order. Evidence was given that during drinking bouts he had ill-treated his wife and one of the children. He had, on occasion, kept off drink but would start again. “The Magistrate said that the case was a most unfortunate one. The best thing to do would be to put someone in charge of defendant. Information could be sent to the police each time defendant offended, and he could be imprisoned each time. As defendant was not an habitual drunkard under the meaning of the Act, he could not grant an order. At the same time he had every sympathy with the wife and family.” On 4 April following, James Wood was charged with procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, and was fined, in default imprisonment. The situation appeared better in September 1928, when the Canterbury Land Board approved the transfer of Section 51, Block III, Albury settlement from Sarah Wood to James Wood.

On 3 February 1929, the Timaru police were advised of the sudden death of James Wood, farmer, of Albury. “It is understood that the deceased, who was 47 years of age, took ill suddenly yesterday morning, and was brought into Timaru by his housekeeper, Mrs Ross. Deceased was examined by Dr. King, who ordered his immediate removal to Sister McArthur’s Hospital, but he died before admission. It is not known yet whether an inquest will be necessary.”

James Wood died at the Timaru Public Hospital on 3 February 1929, aged 46 years 11 months. An inquest was indeed, held at the Timaru Courthouse on 6 February. The cause of death (Coroner’s verdict) was acute toxaemia, following on from peritonitis which originated from a ruptured gastric ulcer. He was buried in the Timaru Cemetery, his funeral leaving from the Timaru Hospital. His next-of-kin at death was his mother – Mrs Jessie Wood, Lyndhill, Albury, Timaru. Jessie had moved to Lyndhill, Albury, then moved back into Timaru in the mid-1920s.

James Wood had made out his Will in May 1928, appointing a solicitor and an accountant of Timaru as executors and trustees. After making provision to pay for his funeral and testamentary expenses, he directed that his property be held in trust for his children and, if necessary, be put towards their maintenance, education or benefit. His executors produced detail accounts of the estate of James Wood from February 1929 to August 1929 and from August 1929 to August 1932, which included payments to the Presbyterian Children’s Home from January 1930 to March 1932. The three oldest children were admitted to Timaru Main School in March 1929, their guardian being the Orphanage (Presbyterian Home) in North Street. Sarah Wood moved into Timaru after James’ death. When Muir started at Waimataitai School, she was his guardian. At the March 1929 meeting of the Canterbury Land Board, the transfer of Section 48, Tengawai, Albury from the trustees of James Wood, deceased, was approved.

Sarah Winter – beloved wife of the late James Wood - died at Timaru on 23 December 1968 and was buried at Timaru with James. She was survived by their five children – John Laing, Jessie (Mrs Parker), William, Cynthia (Mrs Smith) and Muir. John Laing Wood and William Winter - sons of James and Sarah Wood – both served in World War Two, John (dental surgeon) with the Royal Navy and William (land agent) with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, gaining a commission in 1944. Youngest son Muir (student, Timaru) was drawn in a World War Two ballot. Jessie (nurse) married Leonard Ellis Parker at Trinity Church, Timaru, in 1949. Cynthia (schoolteacher) married Lindsay George Smith at Trinity Church in 1947.

James’ eldest brother, Robert Taylor Wood, who served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One, died in 1918 at Wellington Hospital, his death recorded as a war death. His second brother, Thomas Laing Wood, who had gained a commission with the Liverpool Regiment and served in the South Africa War, afterwards served as Captain of the Supply and Transport Corps in India, where he died, rather suddenly of the plague, at Cawnpore on 13 April 1913. Mr John Wood, “a well read, refined, and highly cultured man”, died in July 1917, survived by his wife, Jessie and three sons – R. T. Wood, in the legal profession at Wellington (“at present on active service”), Jack Wood, in the Public Works Department at Whangarei, and James Wood. Jessie Wood, the widow of John Wood (late schoolmaster Waimataitai School), died at Christchurch on 27 May 1934 and was buried at Timaru with John. Jessie made bequests to the children of her late son Robert, to her son John (her only surviving son), the children of her late son James; and in a codicil to her Will, she made a bequest to a lady in Fendalton who had shown her kindness. Two of their four sons are remembered on their headstone – Thomas Laing Wood who died in India in 1913 and John Wood who died at Wellington in 1952 and was cremated there.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [05 February 2017]; NZ Defence Force Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0124872) [07 February 2017]; NZ BDM Indexes; Timaru Herald, 7 February 1905, 10 January 1908, 18 & 19 May 1909, 9 June 1911, 16 & 25 September 1915, 25 April 1916, 12 July 1917, 4 March 1919, 8 & 29 March 1928, 5 April 1928, 27 September 1928, 4 & 5 February 1929 20 March 1929, Temuka Leader, 11 February 1905, 9 & 11 January 1908, 6 February 1908, 12 July 1917, Otago Daily Times, 16 & 22 September 1914, 12 October 1914, Dominion, 15 January 1915, 15 & 24 September 1915, Press, 13 July 1917, 7 February 1929, Evening Post, 13 March 1918 (Papers Past) [05, 06 & 07 February 2017; 17 September 2020; 19 November 2025]; Timaru Cemetery headstone transcription [05 February 2025]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image & burial record (Timaru District Council) [05 February 2017]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [05 February 2025]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [06 February 2017; November 2025]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [06 February 2017]; Timaru Herald, 4 & 5 February 1929, 28 May 1934, 24 December 1968 (Timaru District Library) [07 February 2017]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WOOD James - newspaper clippings (pdf, 136.2 KB updated 19-Dec-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS