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Topic: seeking info on M/Cpl Jeff Wood killed 21 July 1983 (Read 883 times)
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ndenton
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A colleague in Ottawa is working on updating the 7th Book of Remembrance that is located in the Peace Tower. This book contains the names of all Canadian servicemen/women who have died on duty since 1947.
While many names have been checked for inclusion in the book, there are about twelve names that cannot be verified. This is mainly due to privacy issues. In order for the files to be opened, LAC and VAC need to have some benchmark information, such as full name, place of birth and date, place of burial and, most importantly, the service number (or SIN).
One of these twelve appears to have been from the Woodstock area. The known details are:
Master Corporal Jeff Wood. He is shown as dying about 21 July 1983. He was a member of the RCR and was killed in a military parachute jump during training. The place and date of the accident are unknown. He is said to have been from Woodstock, Ontario.
All attempts to date to find out more information about Wood have come up empty.
Any help locating friends or kinfolk or details on his death would be most appreciated.
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towgunner
Gene Russo
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Mcpl Jeff Wood was killed in a grenade accident in Sennalager Germany on July 21, 1983 along with Cpl Victor Wedell.
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Cpl Russo ER SSM Ret.
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Abe Doney
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I was there that day. My mother sent me an article about it from the Hamilton Spectator which I gave to the padre. I still have clippings about the accident from Der Kanadier (our newspaper) which I can dig out from a ton of memorabilia if you would like to see it.
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towgunner
Gene Russo
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Hey Abe good afternoon.
It was a a sad day, a shitty exercise. Alot of crazy things happened that excercise. Bad Grenades, bad Tow missles and some .50 cal incidents as well. Will always remember Jeff and Vic well they are in my thoughts alot. Dean Turner came by last week and we were just talking about those guys and many others. Its good we can communicate with each other and remember the days gone by.
Gene
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Cpl Russo ER SSM Ret.
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Mike Blais
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I can tell you lads that Jeff was interned in fine Regimental fashion by a 1 RCR honour guard led by Sgt Greg Starky. Does anybody have any pictures of Jeff that we could put up here? Abe, if you could scan the stuff for us and get Tony to post it on this htread, i would aprpeciate it. Same for Victor Wedell, who perished in the same accident. He and I were kind of close when MIke Company arrived in 79.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
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Abe Doney
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Mike:
I've already posted a couple of pics of Jeff from the trip to Italy. I'll post the newspaper clippings once I dig them out.
Abe
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ndenton
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I want to thank all of you for your help so far. M/Cpl Jeff Wood is not listed in the Virtual Memorial as nobody can access his records without permission and the VAC needs his records opened to add him in. They need proof he died etc., They supposedly have the details but can't release them without permission and can't contact the next of kin because they can't access the records to ask the next of kin to come forward!!!
I don't really think I needed to explain THAT to veterans!
If anyone knows of his next of kin that would be helpful to the VAC Memorial people as well.
I'm personally not a member of the Armed Forces. I'm one of the very few members of my family who has not served in all of Canada's wars. I truly appreciate the sacrifices you and the others before you have made. As a military historian and genealogist I've learned a lot of about the services. My job is to make sure nobody forgets you and men like Wood and Wedel.
I'm forwarding this page to the people who will do the memorials so they will have more to work with.
P.S. I'm not familiar with this site. Where are the pictures posted?
Lest We Forget.
Nelson Denton
Hamilton Ontario
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Dave Brydon
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I believe there may be some confusion here: not sure about Jeff being from Woodstock. Jeff Woods and I spent a lot of time together, and, although I don’t know where he may be originally from, I do know for a fact that I would drive Jeff to Brantford ON, almost every weekend to see his parents, on my way to Hamilton.
Additionally, the original post, talked about a parachute accident. We had a Wood, in ADP who died during a civilian jump in Baden. This bothers me, as I always called him Woody, and I cannot remember his first name. This may be the Wood from Woodstock? If I can get a hold of Brad Haight, he’ll know his first name. It’s my understanding, that Woody, bought the chute from another ADP guy, who was posted out that summer, and this guy was part of the Baden Jump club, and he always packed his own chute…he sold the chute to Woody. Again, it’s my understanding, that Woody never repacked the chute, and on his first jump with it, it candle-sticked and never opened…Woody never attempted to open his reserve.
Hope this helps.
Dave
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"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
-George Patton
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Mike Blais
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One thing is certain, Dave.
As I attended the funeral, I can assure you he was interned at Woodstock and, though things are a bit hazy 24 years later, I seem to recall that it was his home town. Hmmmm, now that I think iof it, perhaps it was his wife's home town?
Abe, do you have any pictures of Victor?
Nelson, Jeff was survived by a wife who may be listed on his obit. Perhaps you can track her down through the obit and get further information. I'm sure that she, like the rest of us, wants Jeff included.
Thanks for your effort, BTW. Your a good man.
PS Private Victor Wedell, RCR, died in the same incident. Is he listed at the virtual memorial?
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
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Abe Doney
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Mr. Denton:
In the news clipping from Der Kanadier, which I will have posted later today, Jeff Wood is from Brantford, and Victor Wedell from Sardis B.C. You may want to go down to the Central Library here and access the microfiche to see the article I mentioned from the Hamilton Spec. I'm from Hamilton too.
Abe
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Thanks for what you do Nelson, and i hope this will finally allow these heros their rightful place in the 7th Book of Remembrance...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Tony Giacomelli
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 info by Abe
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Mike Blais
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Abe sent me this last night re: spectator article.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ndenton
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Here is the list below that I was given with the names of the 12 unconfirmed men who were "killed on duty".
Three are listed as being with the RCR. As you can see the details are rather skimpy in some cases.
Private Hoovier
1978 RCR
Master Corporal Smith, Jeff
1983 The RCR. Killed during training accident on a grenade range.
Master Corporal Wood,
1984 The RCR. Killed in military parachute jump during training. Location of death unknown.
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Remaining Names to be Confirmed for 7th Book of Remembrance – 10 February 2008
Ser Ranks and service number when known Name and Date of Birth when known Date of Death & Unit and Details Surrounding Death
1 Private
(Not SD 190794) Riel, (Initials may be J. L.) 1949/51 R22eR. Para accident at Ancienne-Lorette airport near Quebec City, QC.
2 Rank and service number unknown Name unknown 23 May 1950 408 (Photo) Squadron. Lancaster FM 217. One crewman who perished has not been identified. Could this have been Chapman? DFS has not recorded this crash which is noted on page 342 of Canada’s Air Force Vol 3.
3 Rank and service number unknown.
Doirion, Peter 25 April 1952 RCAF Station Summerside. Report on crash of 1 ANS Lancaster KB893 at Summerside indicates four crew killed plus one on the ground. We have four crew names: F/Ls Burnett and Lussier and F/O Carter and Cpl Lachaine who were KB 893 crew members. The Toronto Star reported in April 26, 1952 that AC1 James Peter Dorion was seriously burned. Dorion was part of the rescue crew and may have died of his burns.
4 Flying Officer Mallory, Paul Mark 16 May 1953 1FIS . B-25 Mitchell DFS 093-KL155. Killed near Valois, QC on IFR trip Chatham, NB to Trenton, ON.
5 Corporal Milton, Kenneth
CLF August 1960 1 Provost Platoon.
6 Lance Corporal Budney,
CLF July-August 1965 3 Provost Platoon. Killed during a military vehicle accident at Camp Gagetown during a summer concentration night training exercise for 3 CIBG.
7 Captain Demny 1966 CIL. Name was provided from a newspaper clipping no details.
8 Captain Pilon, A
15 September 1977 VS 880 Squadron. Killed in the crash of CP-121 Tracker Serial 1579 (12179)
9 Private
Hoovier,
1978 The RCR. Killed during training accident on a mortar range.
10 Lieutenant
Allen, D. C. 17 August 1982
450 (Transport Helicopter) Squadron. Killed in a ground fire accident during refuelling at Rankin Inlet in CH-147 147002. With Cpl/Pte Vadnais, J. Y. & MCpl Deschamps, G. Y.
11 Master Corporal Smith, Jeff
1983 The RCR. Killed during training accident on a grenade range.
12 Master Corporal
Wood,
1984 The RCR. Killed in military parachute jump during training. Location of death unknown.
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aldi
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You may be able to get help from other sites like this one.
The names at numbers 2,3,4,8 and 10 are former airmen and the Air Force Assocation of Canada (contact@airforce.ca) is your best place to start.
Numbers 5 and 6 are members of the Canadian Provost Corps and they have a site at http://home.primus.ca~cproc.mp.
Number 7 is a member of the Cadet Instructor List and you should be able to get information from the Royal Canadian Army Cadets at www.armycadethistory.com.
I hope this helps.
aldi
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Abe Doney
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Ptes House (not Hoovier) and Dore were killed in a mortar accident in Germany in March of 1978. Your colleague in Ottawa should be able to access the details of these deaths under the Access to Information Act from NDHQ archives in Tunney's Pasture.
Abe
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Dave Brydon
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This discussion has presented some concerns: primarily – why does the regiment not have solid historical data on each member who has died, while serving in the regiment? Regardless of how a soldier dies, while serving with the regiment, all the circumstances should be recorded within the yearly regimental diary, and/or regimental historical data presented for archival retention each year.
Relying on individual accounts, years later, although a valuable asset(s) from which to draw upon – can also present unintentional miss information.
While serving with 1 RCR in London, around 1977, I once asked my Sgt a similar question about past members of the our regiment – he stated that every time the battalion marched on parade, all those members who died while serving in the battalion where also on parade. I asked if he meant in a higher state, as in our thoughts. He then told me that (I apologize for not knowing the proper name) the staff, which the drum major carries on parade carries the names of those who have died. He further stated that; the top of the staff unscrews, and inside the staff is a scroll, with all those who have died.
I recall walking away, believing this to be true, and thought it was a wonderful remembrance to all those soldiers who served the battalion, and died. Can you imagine; if you died while serving with the Battalion/Regiment, you would always be on parade with the lads, each and every time the battalion marched on. I thought this was absolutely brilliant!
Several years later, I mentioned this to someone, just prior to marching on parade, and he laughed, and said, what BS – there is no scroll in that staff. I was very saddened to learn this and almost wished I had never been told….I wanted to believe.
Regardless, two points need to be addressed:
1) Each member of our Regiment, who, regardless of circumstances, died while serving should be accounted for, and the circumstances recorded in detail; and
2) I would like to introduce the idea mentioned above: that a scroll of those who have died while serving, be encased within each Battalions staff, and updated as required.
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"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
-George Patton
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Mike Blais
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I really think that is a great idea, Dave. Two great ideas, in fact. Pro Patria.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hmmm, yes, can it be done? Sounds very good to me...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Tony Giacomelli
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 Info by Abe
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Abe Doney
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Just goes to show what a little research can do.
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Wayne OToole
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Hi Dave.
When the 4 Patricias tragically died by friendly fire in Afghanistan, I was following things pretty closely on the news. The story you just told is fairly accurate. I read in the Montreal Gazette I believe at the time of the ceremony that was held the story that the Drum Major from the PPCLI core of drums unscrewed the cap on his Mace and on a scroll added the names of the 4 soldiers to the war dead.
I also believe the Drum Majors' name was Tom Seggie (spelling). I instructed with him in Cornwallis in 85.
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Wayne O'Toole
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Wayne OToole
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For Dave Bryden,interesting read here. Go to setion 6 article 316. What you said about the mace was 100% correct. Hats off to the Sgt who told you because he had his sh_ _ together.
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Wayne O'Toole
http://www.ppcli.com/files/Chapter%203.pdf
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Dave Brydon
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Wayne,
Thank you very much; your research has restored my faith – Bravo Zulu - I owe you a beer!
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SECTION 6 – DRUM MAJOR’S MACES
Housed in the head of each Drum Major’s Mace in use by the Regiment is a copy of the
Roll of Honour listing all those members of the Regiment killed in action.
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Do we do the same?
Dave
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"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
-George Patton
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Wayne OToole
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I'm not sure Dave. I'll ask our Drum Major good old Teddy Stonham when I get the chance. When I read your post it rang a bell, because I knew I read it before.
Bud lite (gots ta watch the figure)
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Wayne O'Toole
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ndenton
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Success!! Wedel and Smith will be going on the Honour Rolls.
10 more to go.
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