In the Churchyard of St Bartholomew, Newbiggin by the Sea is the Commonwealth War Grave of:-

81582 Private
W. Wood
Royal Defence Corps
12th January 1919

Margaret Burgess has submitted the following:-

William, born Bedlington in 1890, was the son of James and Margaret Wood. In 1891 they were living at Institute Row Bedlington. In 1901 the address was 23 Institute Row, West Sleekburn. In 1911 James, now a widower, was still living at 23 Institute Row with his son John. William had married Ethel in 1910 and in April 1911 they were living at West Sleekburn, Choppington. Their son James was born 10th May 1911. Prior to enlisting he worked at Woodhorn Colliery, Ashington.

William enlisted at Ashington 31st August 1914 and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 10/15403. He went to France in 1915 until October 1916 and then again in 1917. He was wounded a number of times.

In March 1918 he was transferred to the Labour Corps and in June 1918 to the Royal Defence Corps.

William died aged 29 at 20 Oswald Road, Newbiggin by the Sea, the home of his aunt and uncle Robert and Jane Isabella Barber, in January 1919 from bronchopneumonia and heart failure.

His cousin Thomas Barber was also killed in WW1.

William Wood is remembered at West Sleekburn on W34.01 and his widow Ethel moved to Blyth and there is a W. Wood at Blyth on B42.24