Harry Wood (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Major Harry Alison Wood was a World War I flying ace
credited with six aerial victories. He studied civil engineering prewar at Toronto University. After joining the Corps of Guides
as a lieutenant, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He trained in the United Kingdom, and joined No. 34 Squadron at Netheravon
. He transferred to No. 34 Squadron, then to No. 24 Squadron in early summer of 1916. On 18 June 1916, on his first combat sortie, he attacked four encroaching Germans and broke up their reconnaissance patrol. He went on to down six Germans, and be shot down twice by ground fire. He became a Flight Commander before March 1917, when he was assigned back in England on Home Establishment. He was awarded the Military Cross on 4 June 1917, and promoted to Major in March 1918. After the war ended, he never again set foot in an airplane. He went to work for Canadian National Railway
, ending up as Chief of Development. He retired from that post in March 1959. Shortly after joining another firm in Montreal, he died of a heart attack.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with six aerial victories. He studied civil engineering prewar at Toronto University. After joining the Corps of Guides
Corps of Guides
The Corps of Guides was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. -Formation:Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Brereton Rivers, a former officer cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada was one of the first of a small band of Canadian Military Intelligence officers serving in an organization that...
as a lieutenant, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He trained in the United Kingdom, and joined No. 34 Squadron at Netheravon
Netheravon
Netheravon is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, about north of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.-Notable people:The writer Frank Sawyer , although born in Bulford, spent most of his life in Netheravon as river keeper River Avon and died on the banks of the river near the parish church...
. He transferred to No. 34 Squadron, then to No. 24 Squadron in early summer of 1916. On 18 June 1916, on his first combat sortie, he attacked four encroaching Germans and broke up their reconnaissance patrol. He went on to down six Germans, and be shot down twice by ground fire. He became a Flight Commander before March 1917, when he was assigned back in England on Home Establishment. He was awarded the Military Cross on 4 June 1917, and promoted to Major in March 1918. After the war ended, he never again set foot in an airplane. He went to work for Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
, ending up as Chief of Development. He retired from that post in March 1959. Shortly after joining another firm in Montreal, he died of a heart attack.