In the Empire's Cause.
For some months the Dominion's troops were in a comparatively quiet section of the fighting line in France, casualties were in consequence light, and our immediate district was temporarily spared the grief attending the loss of any of its young men in the Empire's struggle. With the recent Allied attack, grief has unfortunately been widespread, and in one week we are called upon to record the death of no less than four young soldiers — Edgar Wood, Jim Anderson (Pembroke), Lawrence Smith (Bannockburn), and Arthur Clark (formerly of Lowburn). It is one of the heaviest shadows of sadness from the great war cloud that has yet been cast over the district, and we take this opportunity of extending our sincere sympathy to the bereaved families. The present list adds two more names to the terrible roll of honor which the Lowburn school has suffered, Edgar Wood and Arthur Clark being two of the ex-pupils.
Corp. Edgar Woods, who had attained his 25th year, was the youngest son of the late Thomas and Mary F. Wood, and had served three years in the forces. A native of Lowburn, he was educated at Lowburn school, and on attaining manhood worked on his parents farm property in that district. He enlisted in April, 1915, and entered camp in May, attached to the first battalion, Rifle Brigade, and sailed on his 23rd birthday, October 9th, 1915. Landing at Suez, he spent six months in Egypt on patrol and other duties and later went to France. He was severely wounded in the big Somme offensive but recovered after about twelve months treatment in England. Returning again to France he was transferred to the transport battalion, but evidently the need for infantry in the recent attack caused him to be placed in the front line. Numerous letters received of late were bright and cheery, but in the midst of this he has made the great sacrifice. In his district the deceased was extremely popular, and in Rugby circles was a leading member of the Lowburn football club, having also won his way into the county team. A memorial service was conducted at Lowburn yesterday afternoon by Mr A. L. Witheford, deceased having formerly been an office-bearer in the church, and fitting reference was made to his death. -Cromwell Argus, 16/9/1918.
Edgar Wood was wounded during the Rifle Brigade's action in the Somme offensive, receiving a gunshot wound to the groin. The attack was a grueling one, supported by tanks for the first time. The Brigade reports the clearing of a French village and the taking of German prisoners, when a German machine gun fired into a mixed group of New Zealanders and their prisoners. After that, no prisoners were taken.
By August 26th, the German Spring Offensive had failed and the German Army was retreating but standing its ground where it could and making the Allies fight for every ridgeline. The French town of Bapaume was one place where they made a stand, and it was liberated at a high cost. Edgar Wood was killed in action on the first day of that attack.
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