73502 William Roland Errol Hood
Private, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Was born 17 February 1897 in Springburn Canterbury, son of John and Margaret Hood nee Johnstone (both from early settler families – John Hood aged 10 arrived on the “Mersey” September 1862, and Margaret Johnstone aged 5 on the “Brother’s Pride” December 1863). Errol was their youngest in the family of 8 surviving children.
Ashburton High School Old Boy’s Register 1912
“Hood William Errol: From Mt. Somers, Brother of No. 447. A fine footballer and athlete. Was a member of the first XV 1912-1915 and Captain 1915. Won the Senior Athletic Championship in 1914 and 1915 and the Gymnastic Championship in 1915. In 1915 he passed Public Service Entrance and gained the Fooks Memorial Prize.”
He joined the Lands and Survey Department in Christchurch but later entered the office of National Mortgage & Agency at Ashburton where he became Cashier.
He was called up to the 2nd Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment and left New Zealand with the 38th Reinforcements, was severely wounded in France at Mormal Forest following the battle to liberate the town of Les Quesnoy, on November 4th 1918, and died on 7th November 1918 (just 4 days before the Armistice).
Link: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C7136
Story provided by Pam Wilson
