Thomas Clinton Stuart Wood was born at Courtenay, BC on November 6, 1914. He was single and employed as the Local Superintendent Vancouver Island Utilities Ltd as an Electrician. He was the son of Clinton Stuart Wood, of Courtenay, BC, occupation Professional Engineer and Mary Jan Mouat originally from Salt Spring Island BC. His brothers were James Arthur Wood, Norman Mouat Wood, and Gavin Wood. Stuart Wood joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Special Reserve at Vancouver, BC on June 17, 1941. His permanent address for the past five years was Campbell River, BC. He was educated at Courtenay Public School from 1922 to 1927; Courtenay High School 1927 to 1932, and at the University of British Columbia 1932 – 1933, and 1934 – 1935.

His basic and aircrew training were taken at Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta; Winnipeg, Paulson, and Rivers Manitoba; and Lachine, Quebec. Pilot Officer Wood arrived in England on July 30, 1942 and received further training at 3(O) AFU (Advanced Flying Unit) at RAF Halfpenny Green Staffordshire; and 23 OTU (Operational Training Unit) at Pershore, Worcestershire. On November 10, 1942 he was transferred to RAF 196 Squadron, a Night Bomber Squadron flying Mk III & Mk X Wellingtons in No.4 Group, Bomber Command, located at Driffield, Yorkshire. No. 196 Squadron then moved to Leconfield, East Yorkshire in December, 1942. The squadron carried out “Gardening” (minelaying) operations and on the night of 4/5 February 1943 conducted their first operational mission of many raids on enemy ports and industrial centres in Europe.

Flying Officer Thomas Clinton Stuart Wood, Air Observer, 196 Squadron, and his aircrew were shot down on February 15, 1943 during a mission over Cologne, Germany. Stuart was the Bomb Aimer and Co-pilot of his Wellington aircraft. His remains were never found and his name is engraved on panel 175 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England. Honours and Awards: A/O (Air Observer’s) Badge.

A memo from No. 196 Squadron R.A.F. Station Leconfield, East Yorkshire to the Under Secretary of State, Air Ministry (P.4. Cas.) London W.C.2 dated 18 March 1943 stated that Wellington X aircraft HE 169 captained and flown by Flight Lieutenant R.F. Milne was detailed to attack Cologne on the night of 14/15th February, 1943. This aircraft took off at 1824 hours carrying two 500 lb. H.E. bombs and six S.B.C’s (90 x 4), also 750 gallons of fuel, which allowed 7 to 8 hours flying time, and has not been heard of since. Pilot, F/Lt. R.F. Milne; Navigator, P/O M.D. Fox; Bomb Aimer, F/O T.C. Wood; WO/AG, Sgt G.G. Clark; Air Gunner, Sgt. J.D. McIntyre.