TOPIC:

A superb Defense of Mafeking Prisoner of War Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Orange Free State, Defence of Mafeking, Transvaal awarded to Trooper A.F. Wood, Protectorate Regiment Frontier Force who is confirmed as having taken part in the defense of Mafeking which lasted from 13th October 1899 through to 17th May 1900 as well as on operations in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, he was taken Prisoner of War after going out into the open to tend to his wounded brother, Trooper A.J. Wood, Protectorate Regiment, he would later be released on 26th December 1899.

Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 3 Clasps: Orange Free State, Defence of Mafeking, Transvaal; (102 TPR. A.F. WOOD. PROTECT: REGT F.F.)

Condition: contact wear throughout, Very Fine

A.F. Wood saw service as a Trooper (No. 102) with the Protectorate Regiment – Frontier Force and is confirmed as having taken part in the defense of Mafeking which lasted from 13th October 1899 through to 17th May 1900 as well as on operations in the Transvaal and Orange Free State. He joined the regiment on 18/08/1899 and was discharged on 31/10/1900. His brother, 103 A.J. Wood (Alfred Joseph) joined on the same day and was KIA on 26/12/1899 in the attack on Game Tree Hill. Arthur Frederick Wood was captured trying to guard and help his wounded brother; he was later released on 26 December 1899.

The action at Game Tree Hill, 26th December 1899. "Two squadrons Protectorate Regiment, supported by armored train and Bechuanaland Rifles, were ordered to attack enemy's works from left flank under Major Godley, while three guns and a maxim prepared the way from the right front of the work. On pressing home, the attack a heavy fire killed or wounded most of the officers and leading troops. These succeeded in gaming the parapet, but the work was found to have been strongly roofed in and so closed as to be impregnable". The British losses were this time very serious. Captain R J Vernon, Captain H C Sandford, Lieutenant H P Paton, and 21 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, Captain FitzClarence and 22 men wounded, and 3 missing. Colonel Baden-Powell said "If blame for this reverse falls on any one it should fall on myself, as everybody concerned did their part of the work thoroughly well and exactly in accordance with the orders I had issued. Both officers and men worked with splendid courage and spirit".

Azyeoman,

A really nice medal for Mafeking. Congratulations on adding a Mafeking prisoner to your collection.

This is his entry from the draft Mafeking book:

Arthur Frederick Wood.

Born in Bethnal Green, London, 5 July 1871, son of Thomas C and Hannah A Wood. Older brother of Alfred Wood. Enlisted in the PRFF 18 August 1899 and posted to C Squadron. Age 29. Nationality: English. Trade: Chemist. NOK: Mother, 29 Trelawney Road, Hackney, London. Taken prisoner, 26 December 1899, on the day his brother was killed. 'Two brothers named Wood ran away from home to seek glory on the field. They were both in the fight. One of them was wounded: the other returned when the fight was over and stood guard over him until arrested by the Boers and dragged away from his injured brother, who subsequently died.' (Neilly, Chapter 12). Served PTC 12 June to 11 October 1900. Discharged 31 October 1900. Character very good. Address after discharge: c/o P J Peterson & Co, Barrack Street, Cape Town. He married to Lilian Isabel Parrett, 25 March 1903 in Wynberg. Worked as a commercial traveller based at 'Mafeking', 20 Abinger Road, Pokesdown, Bournemouth, c 1911. A tea dealer in Christchurch, Hampshire in 1939.

Charles Christopher Wood was killed on 26 December 1899 but he was not the brother of Arthur. Arthur's brother was Alfred Joseph Wood.

Best wishes
David

Azyeoman,
A cracking DofM casualty medal and congratulations on getting the final clasp!

David,
Is there any indication of launch date for the new Mafeking book as yet?

Cheers Steve

Steve,

I was hoping for September but I am not sure that this fits with Token's schedule.

Best wishes
David

In 1921 he was still living at "Mafeking" and working as a "Commercial Traveller for Tea Merchants". The Tea Merchants in question being R R MacLeod of 42 Upper Thames St, London.

I think this is his death registered in the Christchurch district in the first quarter of 1960 when he was aged 88 - see last entry below.



You could say the family moved back to England between 1905 & 1910 based on the ages of his children as the eldest was born In SA and the youngest in England.

Finally a 1928 R R MacLeod invoice currently on sale on eBay for £14.

Here are some photos of interest re Wood and his brother.
The first photograph is one of what is left of the fort. The second is of the Obelisk in Mafeking and the third is of the panel that has Wood's brother A.J. listed as one of the dead.