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Graven Hill Remembers

WO2 Charles Wood

WO2 Charles Wood

Street: Wood Crescent
Rank: Warrant Officer Class 2
Full Name: Charles Henry Wood
Nickname: “Charlie”
Born: Middlesbrough
Age: 34
Date of Death: 28 December 2010
Location: Khushdal Kalay area, Helmand River Valley, Afghanistan
Operation: Operation HERRICK 13
Unit: 23 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps - 518 Pioneer Squadron
Role: Advanced Search Advisor
Service History: Joined 1994; Iraq (2003), Bosnia (2007), Afghanistan (2010)

About WO2 Wood

Section titled “About WO2 Wood”

WO2 Charles Henry ‘Charlie’ Wood was killed by an IED blast on 28 December 2010 while leading a route clearance operation in the Helmand River Valley. He was an Advanced Search Advisor coordinating IED detection efforts to increase freedom of movement and safety for the local population.

Full Biography

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WO2 Charles ‘Charlie’ Wood deployed on Operation HERRICK 13 on 6th November 2010 as an Advanced Search Advisor. Trained to coordinate all aspects of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, he was assigned to lead the clearance of a route through the Khushdal Kalay area of the Helmand River Valley to increase the freedom of movement and safety of the local population. In the early afternoon of 28 December 2010, with the task nearing completion, Warrant Officer Class 2 Wood was caught in the blast from an IED and killed.

“Charlie,” aged 34, joined the Army in August 1994 and moved to 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC, then part of the Queen’s Division. His leadership abilities were recognised early, and he gained rapid promotion and subsequent postings to the more prestigious and demanding jobs in his field. Operationally experienced, he completed deployments to Iraq in 2003 and Bosnia in 2007. He was posted from the Army Training Regiment Pirbright to 518 Pioneer Squadron as Sergeant Major in June 2009 and volunteered to lead his Squadron through their search training and on to their deployment to Afghanistan. A talented and successful Warrant Officer with masses of potential, he had Late Entry (officer) commissioning firmly in his sight.

Personal Life & Legacy

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An ardent supporter of his hometown football club, Middlesbrough, he also represented his Regimental team on numerous occasions both on the pitch and, more recently, behind the scenes as trainer and manager. He was a successful fundraiser and raised many thousands of pounds for forces charities.

Following his death, a full military funeral was held in Middlesbrough, attended by family, friends, and comrades. His wife, Heather, described him as having “a heart of gold” in tributes shared with the media.

A road is named after Charlie in his hometown of Middlesbrough, ensuring his legacy lives on in the community he loved.

He leaves behind his wife, Heather, his mother, Barbara, his father, John, and his sisters, Samantha and Amanda.

Further Reading & External Links

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“For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”