Percy Frank Pilkington Wood

Commander Percy Frank Pilkington Wood, (4 February, 1894 – 18 August, 1939) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of Percy Wood, Esq., gentleman.

Wood's first ship was Temeraire, in which he served from January 1912 until 15 December, 1914 whenhe was appointed to the destroyer Sparrowhawk of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. He would serve in her through the Battle of Jutland, where he survived her loss in confused close range night combat.

Wood was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 September, 1916, which was later adjusted to 15 June, 1916.

Wood was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 June, 1924.

Wood was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1930.

H.M.S. Bideford was placed under Wood's command on 16 October 1931 for trials. Upon their completion, he commissioned the sloop for service. Due at Aden on 6 January, 1932, he was to proceed to Muscat to relieve the sloop Hastings, exchanging ships with her commander, D. S. McGrath. Wood took Hastings to Malta to join the Mediterranean Fleet for service in the Red Sea Division, there replacing and taking command of Dahlia, which Wood was to bring back home.

In March 1937, Wood was reported to be sick on shore and was diagnosed with asthma. His Service Record is largely filled with medical reports from here on, and it is amazing that he received no fewer than three further seagoing command appointments in 1938.

World War II

Despite his naval career being in full flower on the cusp of a war, his health was in serious jeopardy. A telegram dated 27 April 1939 from Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham reported Wood dangerously ill with heart disease. He died on 18 August.

See Also

• Service Records
• Fourth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Bideford 16 Oct, 1931 – 17 Jan, 1932	Succeeded by Donal S. McGrath
Preceded by Arthur R. Farquhar	Captain of H.M.S. Dahlia Jan, 1932 – 5 Jan, 1933	Succeeded by Frederick R. M. Johnson
Preceded by Donal S. McGrath	Captain of H.M.S. Hastings 17 Jan, 1932 – Jan, 1932	Succeeded by Cecil S. Sandford
Preceded by Renfrew Gotto	Captain of H.M.S. Crescent 11 May, 1932 – 31 Aug, 1934[Inference]	Succeeded by Malcolm Farquhar
Preceded by Harry P. Currey	Captain of H.M.S. Diomede 22 Dec, 1937 – 24 Jan, 1938	Succeeded by Geoffrey C. Fryer
Preceded by Michael A. O. Biddulph	Captain of H.M.S. Dragon 24 Jan, 1938 – 22 Apr, 1938	Succeeded by Charles E. S. Farrant
Preceded by Charles E. S. Farrant	Captain of H.M.S. Calcutta 22 Apr, 1938 – 1 Jul, 1938	Succeeded by Frederick R. M. Johnson
Preceded by Frederick R. M. Johnson	Captain of H.M.S. Cardiff 1 Jul, 1938 – 14 Jul, 1938	Succeeded by Arthur R. Halfhide
Preceded by Richard F. Jolly	Captain of H.M.S. Marshal Soult 14 Jul, 1938 – 20 Aug, 1939	Succeeded by Geoffrey C. L. Dalley