Queens South Africa Medal. Silver issue & 2 x clasps 'Cape Colony' & 'Orange Free State' (2575. Pte. E. Wood. Gren. Gds.)

Died-of-Wounds: Private Ernest Wood, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, is confirmed having been 'Wounded-in-Action' at Biddulphsberg (Senekal) on 29 May 1900, and subsequently 'Died-of-Wounds', at, Senekal, on, 7 June 1900

Biddulphsberg, 29 May 1900 was the 'Black Day' for 2/Grenadier Guards, during the South African War.The Grenadiers suffered an estimated 130 x casualties (killed, died, wounded) and lost more men in action at the the Battle of Biddulphsberg, than in any other action in which they participated during the war.The battle was fought near Senekal, a small town comprising about 25 houses and a church

As the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards advanced on the morning of the battle, they could see no sign of the Boers, but they soon came under a hail of bullets. They lay down on the ground but, being still visible on the open veldt, were an easy target for the enemy. With many men already wounded, the long dry grass suddenly caught fire behind them, the result of a match dropped by a careless Imperial Yeomanry officer. The wind quickly fanned the flames and produced a high wall of fire and smoke. Faced with a hail of gunfire from the unseen Boers in front of them, the Guards were forced to retreat through the flames carrying their wounded, with the result that many of the men were badly burned. Any wounded men who could not be carried were horribly burnt to death where they lay

Total British deaths were 48 men killed or died of wounds as a result of the battle of Biddulphsberg. Of which 41 were from 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards; five from 2nd Scots Guards, one from Driscoll's Scouts and one from the 4th Imperial Yeomanry. All but two men of the Grenadiers are buried in Senekal who died of their wounds at Deelfontein (43 km from De Aar) in the Cape Province. Scores more men of the 2/Grenadiers - estimated to have been 100 were either wounded or badly burned

Commemoration: The life and supreme sacrifice of Private E. Wood, is commemorated in perpetuity on two memorials located within the United Kingdom

Firstly his name and service details are engraved upon the handsome South African War memorial located at the Guildhall, Northampton, Northamptonshire, which handsome stone panel commemorates:

Quote,

In Memory of Brave Men

Inhabitants of this County, and the neighbourhood of Peterborough.

Who gave their lives for their Sovereign and Country during the War in South Africa, 1899-1902.

Their names are recorded on this Tablet.

Unquote.

Secondly the recipient's supreme sacrifice is commemorated on the South African War regimental memorial panels of the Household Cavalry & Guards, located at the Holy Trinity Church, Windsor, Berkshire, England

Medal and clasps verification: The recipient, is confirmed as being entitled to the medal and both clasps per the respective campaign medal roll of, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards (ref WO 100/163) that was compiled and signed in-the-field at, Harrismith, South Africa, on, 21 July 1901, with note under remarks column that the recipient was 'Died of Wounds'. This was the recipients only medal entitlement

Ernest Wood, son of Walter Wood & Wood, was a native of Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, where he was born circa 1871. Ernest enlisted in the British Army in 1890, and was posted to the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. The 1891 National Census for England, records him stationed at Chelsea Barracks, London, England. Ernest had enlisted under a short-service engagement, comprising 7 years 'With the Colours' and 5 x years on the Army Reserve. After returning to civilian life, and posting to the Army Reserve, Ernest returned to Northampton, where he took up the appointment of 'Hospital Attendant'. While on the Army Reserve, he is recorded to have married Ann Gowen, at Northampton, on 1897. Recalled from the Army Reserve in 1899, Ernest was mobilized and posted to his former regiment, the Grenadier Guards, where he joined 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards for deployment overseas during the South African War. Ernest was 'Wounded-in-Action', at Biddulphsberg (Senekal) on, 27 May 1900, and such was the severity of his wounds, that he lingered in considerable pain at Senekal, until succumbing to his wounds, when he s recorded to have 'Died-of-Wounds' on. 6 June 1900
with which unit

A scarce and extremely desirable fatal casualty for the most important action of the South African War for the Grenadier Guards

Condition: About EF

Code: 23416