Jack Wood
Date of birth: 14.1.1916
Date of death: 31.1.1942
Area: Knottingley
Regiment: Royal Navy
Family information: Son of William Wood and Sarah nee Walker
Rank: Stoker 2nd Class
Service number: P/KX121557
War Service
He was a Gas Works Labourer before being enlisted. He often wrote home to his sister Dorothy, but was restricted in what he could say. In his letters he always enquired of his brother Sam. The corvette HMS Culver was employed in escort duties, often out to Sierra Leone in West Africa, frequently being attacked by submarines, and sometimes picking up survivors from other incidents.
2nd Class Stoker Jack Wood RN - HMS Culver – was killed in service 31st January 1942 age 26.
HMS Culver, part of Sierra Leone Convoy SL93, was struck by two torpedoes from German Submarine U105 SSW of Ireland and West of Bay of Biscay, and 459 miles WSW of Cape Clear. The first torpedo detonated in Culver’s forward boiler room causing a huge explosion and the second further aft on the port side detonated the magazine, producing a flash clearly seen by HMS Bideford, some 8 miles away. She heeled 45 degrees and broke in two, sinking in a V shape within the space of a minute. 127 men were killed and only 1 officer and 12 ratings survived, being rescued by HMS Londonderry, and taken back to Londonderry.
Jack Wood is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
When Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother unveiled the new extension at Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Sunday 29th April 1953, which included men from World War II who were lost at sea with no grave, his mother Sarah Walker was present.
Family Life
Jack Wood was born on 14th January 1916. He was the son of William Wood and Sarah (nee Walker), who had married on 26th December 1904 at Christ Church, Knottingley.
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
