| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Jesse Wood was born in Beverley in Nov 1897, the son of George Wood a butcher. In 1901 when Jesse was three years old, George was a soldier and in 1911 he was a ship platers’ helper, Jesse, aged 13, was a butcher’s errand boy.
Jesse’s photograph, in uniform, appears in the Beverley Guardian dated 25 Mar 1916, with the notation – “At the Front: Pte. Jesse Wood: 5th Yorks Regiment” - but the only details of his military service were found in the records of his life after having returned to civilian life when he joined the Police Force. It is recorded that he enlisted in the forces on 17 Jan 1914, aged 17 years and 2 months that he served with the Green Howards and was awarded the 14/15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medals.
Having survived the war, Jesse was appointed ‘on probation to the Beverley Borough Police Force’ on 21 May, 1921 when he was described as being “5’-11” tall, with blue eyes, dark brown hair, gunshot wound on left arm and scald scar on left shoulder and neck”. It seems likely that the gunshot wound was inflicted during his war service. In Nov 1926 Jesse married Marjorie Abbott in Beverley Minster, they did not have any children.
When the Beverley Borough Police merged with the East Riding Constabulary Jesse transferred, and remained in the police until he retired in Sep 1949 on a pension having attained the rank of Sergeant. Throughout his career in the Police he was repeatedly commended for the manner in which he carried out his duties. He served in Beverley, Withernsea, Bridlington, Welton, Hessle and Brough.
Jesse died in 1970, and Marjorie died aged 94 in 1994.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |