Personal information

Alexander Wood was first trained in Chatham Dockyard, served some time on the China Station in HMS Kent and did the delivery voyage of HMS Leander to New Zealand where he became a boys instructor at Tamaki Naval Base in Auckland. On the outbreak of the war he was sent to HMNZS Achilles and was in the Battle of The River Plate. Upon his return to New Zealand he made his way back to the UK and served in the sloops under Capt. F.J. Walker in the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He received the MBE for great skill and resource in doing everything possible to save HMS Woodpecker.