Percy Wood

(1898-1973)

Percy Wood worked as a Leading Seaman during WWll on boats that patrolled the outer Harbour and Rottnest and Garden Islands. He qualified as a Captain in 1968, age 70, after 30 years service at sea. He and his wife Ethel built their home in Whit Gum Valley by hand after the war.

Percival ‘Percy’ George Harry Wood was born 26 January 1898 in Coolgardie. His father, Henry Wood (1870-1938), and mother, Mary Ann Gready (1861-1931) married in Victoria in 1891 and moved to Coolgardie, WA c.1897. In 1910 Henry took the family to Pinjarra, to farm, and that was where Percy was baptised, aged 13, in 1912.

His mother Mary Ann, born in Marlborough, Victoria, had two marriages. The first to Elliott Renfrey in 1884, which produced 5 children (three of whom died young), and two who survived her: daughter Hettie Gertrude Hodge (1887-1970) with whom she lived with until her death, and Samuel Renfrey (1885-1959). After Elliott died in 1889 she married Henry Wood, a farmer in Victoria in 1891. They had two children: Olive May Wood (1892-1983), born in Victoria and Percy Wood in 1898. Mary Ann worked as a nurse in Coolgardie and Pinjarra. Olive May married George H.T. Standing in 1912 and moved to live in Vancouver, Canada in 1920. She had two children- Arnold (1912-1970) and Winifred (1914-1992), both born in Pinjarra.

Percy helped his father farm but came to Fremantle in his 20’s. He was very involved in the Freemasons. In 1922 Percy is mentioned as playing the cornet in a musical evening organised by the Ancient Order of Foresters, in Beaconsfield. (reference)

In July 1923, living at  was 202 Hampton Road, South Fremantle, Percy was initiated into the Fremantle Freemasons- Knights Lodge, raised to Knight Elect in April 1925 and given the Order of Merit in 1927.

In 1928 he organised a meeting for members of the Buffalo Lodge in Pinjarra, held for the purpose of establishing a lodge at Pinjarra. (reference)

His mother died in 1931 but his father lived until 1938 (reference)

In October 1932 he returned from a trip to the Eastern States on the Westralia. (reference)

In 1934 Percy married Ethel Emily Nott (1888-1986) in Fremantle. Ethel was born 7 August 1888 in St Marylebone, London. Both her parents William Nott (1861- 1909) and Annie Maria Gray (1860-1937) came from ‘Clothier’ families; her grandfather was a Livery outfitter and William worked as a Master Tailor. Later in 1902- William worked at the Gutta Percha works, where a latex -like Polymer insulation was produced (used on the underwater Atlantic telegraph cable). He died in 1909 and in 1911 Ethyl (22) lived with her brother Cecil (17) and mother in Lambeth. She had three brothers: William (1886-c 1940) and Herbert (1890-1915) and Cecil (1893-1970).

Ethel Emily immigrated to Australia, arriving in Adelaide, on the P&O Beltana, arriving 8 July 1920 when she was 31. She was single, had travelled third class and gave her occupation as dressmaker.

At age 41 Percy enlisted into the Australian Military Forces on 10th October 1939 at Subiaco. Percy was described as being 5 ft 71/2 inches with brown hair and eyes, with the top joint of his right index finger missing and tattoos on both arms. He was given rank of Bombardier, in the 7th Heavy Brigade. He was discharged in 1942.    

Then on 3rd February 1943 he was mobilised for two and a half years into the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, where he worked on the ‘Leeuwin’ and other coastal patrol vessels.

He was a Leading Seaman until 26th June 1945, when he passed the exam for Petty Officer and on 6th November 1945, he was demobilised.

In a letter of recommendation Percy was said to have “carried out his duties in a thorough and reliable manner as a Leading Seaman acting as Petty Officer, Second in Command and Coxswain of HMA patrol Vessels ‘Avonita’, ‘Margaret’, ‘Pinafore’ and ‘ML.815’. These vessels patrolled the Outer Harbour and other Duties within the areas of Garden and Rottnest Islands.” Roland Smith, Lieut. Commander, RANVR, 7 June 1968

During and after WWll (from 1945-1949) Percy and Ethel lived at 126 Hampton Road, Fremantle.         

In 1947, after the war, building supplies were in high demand and some impossible to obtain. This didn’t stop Percy and Ethel who built themselves a home at 8 Elizabeth Street, White Gum Valley. Percy drew up the plans, Ethel made the bricks herself and Percy laid them.

In 1958 Percy was still working as a garage attendant and mechanic.

By 10 June 1968, at age 70- Percy had served at sea for 30 years and he passed his qualification to become a Master of a River and Harbour Ship- and therefore was able to work as a Captain in the Port of Fremantle and Swan River.

They lived in the house in White Gum Valley until Percy passed away at the kitchen table from his 7th heart attack. Ethyl stayed on until she moved into a nursing home. Percy Died 9th August 1973, aged 75. He is memorialised at the Fremantle Cemetery.

Ethel Emily Wood died in White Gum Valley, 10 June 1986, aged 97 years old. Her ashes were scattered to the winds at Fremantle cemetery.

Olive, Percy’s sister died in 1983 in America.

Research (and photos) by his Grandson Paul Wood 2021