BX August 24, 1921
A Pathetic Search for a Brant Boy – Aged Couple Walk Streets of London Looking for Their Lost Soldier-Son
(Special Dispatch to The Expositor)
MONTREAL, August 24 – A pathetic quest, for their missing soldier-son is being made by an old couple. Mr. J.P. Wood and his wife, who arrived in London, England, from Toronto a month ago, according to a special dispatch from that city. Daily they have made weary pilgrimages through London streets and spaces peering anxiously at passersby in the hope of finding their boy.
When too fatigued to accompany her husband, Mrs. Wood has spent her time sitting at a front window of her hotel in Welbourne Place. The missing man, Lewis H. Wood, who is now 25, was assisting his father in a prosperous business when he joined the army at Brantford, Ontario in 1916. When in England and France he wrote regularly to his parents and his beautiful girl wife until 1919, when the correspondence ceased. The last known of him by the Canadian militia authorities was that he was given leave at Buxton in September, 1919. Later his parents received a letter in which he said he had been sentenced to imprisonment in connection with a robbery of which he was innocent. He added that when he arrived in London a friend called Frank took him to a dinner party after making him change from uniform to evening dress. On their return the police arrived to search for jewelry missing from the host’s house. “We all laughed when they started their mission,” said Wood, “but the jewelry was found in the room, and as Frank and his friend denied all knowledge we were all charged and sent to prison.”
Prolonged search by Scotland Yard and the prison authorities have satisfied the Canadian Militia authorities that no such robbery took place nor a man answering Wood’s name or description been found.
The old couple are determined not to return home until they learn the fate of their son. “He was a model boy when he left home,” they say, “and no matter what misfortune may have over taken him we will welcome him with joy if he is found.”
BX June 20, 1966
Lewis Howell Wood
Lewis Wood, 71 of 101 Queen Street, died today in the Brantford General Hospital. He was born in St. George, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Howell. Mr. Wood was a former salesman at Brant County Motors and a representative for Grolier Society in Northern Ontario. He had resided in Porcupine previous to taking up residence in Brantford nine years ago. He was a representative of Dumont Aluminum Company of Brantford and a member of the North Park Community Chapel. He was a veteran of the First World War with overseas service. Surviving besides his wife, the former Jennie Cummings, are one daughter, Mrs. Gordon (Margaret) Dawson of St. George; one sister, Miss Rachel Wood of Hamilton; and four grandchildren. Mr. Wood is resting at the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home until Wednesday, for service at 3.30 p.m. Interment will be in the Soldiers’ Plot at Mount Hope Cemetery.
