Marine Philip Wood 41 and 42 RM Commandos

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 04/01/2019 22:34:56

It is with much sadness that we advise you of the recent death on the 25th December 2018 of Philip Wood, aged 93, a veteran of 41RM and 42RM Commandos, having taken part in both the Normandy landings with 41RM Commando, and the Battle for Hill 170 with 42RM Commando.

Our condolences to all his family and friends.

Rest in peace Philip.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/01/2019 22:06:16

Joining as a Royal Marine, Philip volunteered for Hazardous Service and was selected for Commando training and dispatched to Fort William in Scotland where he was taught the dark arts of being a Commando. He was super fit, you had to be because a regular training exercise was running up and down Ben Nevis, run the 12 miles back to camp at Achnacarry, then shoot a rifle accurately, all with a 60 pound pack on your back. Philip applied to become an officer but his application was rejected when it was discovered that he was red green colour blind.

One of his first actions in service was guarding the North Atlantic convoys as Germany tried to stop the re-supply of Russia, or torpedo alley as it was known. Churchill referred to it as the most dangerous journey in the world with huge rates of attrition. As well as receiving his British Medal he was in recent years awarded the Ushakov medal on the orders of Vladimir Putin. In true Philip style he did not want any fuss and sent his then 11 year old grandson, Josh, to collect the medal on his behalf from the Russian Embassy in London.

On D Day Philip landed on Sword Beach with 41 Commando at 9.25 in the morning. His commanding officer was first off the landing craft, who promptly sank in 10 foot of water and had to be rescued. Philip was in W Troop who were tasked with the job of getting off the beach, fighting their way a few miles inland to a heavily protected chateaux that housed a radar. The chateaux had to be taken and the radar, after revealing its secrets, had to be destroyed. Mission accomplished, Philip was transferred to 42 Commando and sent to Africa. For his services to France Philip was awarded their highest honour, the Legion DHonneur.

He could have had his medal officially presented but elected to receive it by post. For his service in Africa he was awarded the Africa Medal.

From Africa he was sent to India where he was to join an Indian troop ship. He said the smell of curry was unbearable and his uniform became impregnated with the smell and his mess tins and tin mug with the taste. He said after that his mug of tea always tasted of curry. He never ate a curry for the rest of his life. The troop ship took him to Kangaw Burma, where British troops were pinned down by the Japanese. The Japanese occupied the high ground or more precisely, Hill 170 and were able to accurately guide their artillery to British positions as well as destroy any supplies or reinforcements. It was vital that Hill 170 was captured and defended. 42 Royal Marine Commando, together with numbers 1 and 5 Commando fought valiantly and captured Hill 170. An estimated 700 Japanese shells landed on the hill on the last day of the battle. Many determined Japanese counter-attacks were made, with much of the fighting hand-to-hand, but Number 1 and 42 Commando repulsed and themselves counter-attacked the waves of Japanese infantry.

The following night the Japanese simply melted away back into the jungle allowing the Allied push to begin. After the battle Lieutenant General Sir Philip Christison stated that the battle of Kangaw had been the decisive battle of the whole Arakan campaign and that it was won very largely due to the magnificent defence of Hill 170. Philip spent his 20th birthday on Hill 170. He then fought alongside the Gurkhas pushing the Japanese back through the jungle until V J Day. He was awarded the Burma Star.
He was then posted to Hong Kong where 42 Commando protected the colony against Chinese raiding parties out to steal food and medicines. He went to Singapore where he was demobbed. Philip would rarely talk about the war so it is important, with the fast dwindling number of war veterans, that his story is at last told.

Philip was a strong family man, always fiercely loyal to them and much loved by all. He liked nothing more than a get together, surrounded by all of his family. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was not afraid to laugh at himself. His commando spirit and ethics lived with him throughout his life. Not so long ago, at a family gathering, he decided to burn the bonfire of garden waste and got it going with petrol (he was always impatient and could not wait for slow ignition). As he struck the match the petrol vapours ignited and whoosh he was engulfed in flames, the onlookers gasped and some rushed forward to pull him away. As the flames abated Philip stood there without eye brows, hair smoking, laughing his head off.

Philip leaves behind his true love Angela (Ange) his wife of 46 years whom were very rarely apart from each other; Angela nursed him in the last months of his life and their love for each other was unbreakable to the very end, despite Philips impatience and frustration at losing his mobility. Philip often described Ange as his rock, the love of his life and was not afraid to tell his family how much he loved her and how he could never live without her.

Fathering 2 x daughters (Jenny and Tricia) and 1 x son (Nick), Philip also had 8 grand children and 6 great grand children, all of whom he loved equally and will all miss this true legends passing to the Bottom Field in the sky.

A brave man, well liked and respected by those that knew him, a greatly loved family man, Philip Wood will be sorely missed.

Rest easy Royal -!-