The 1914/15 Star trio issued to 8/228 Thomas Arthur Hood, who landed on Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. and was wounded whilst serving with the Otago Infantry Battalion.

 

Thomas Hood was born 18th January 1893 at Marton, New Zealand. Son of John and Ada Harriett Hood (née Mead). During the early 1900's the family moved to Wyndham in Southland, and at the time of Thomas's enlistment in 1914 he was working at Edendale. Thomas embarked with the Main Body of the Otago Infantry Battalion, and landed at Anzac Cove on the 25th April 1915 with 14th (South Otago) Company, Otago Infantry Battalion.

 

During the bloody battles of May 1915 Thomas was wounded by a shrapnel bullet when a Turkish shell exploded just three yards away from him, knocking him over. He was evacuated to the UK via Malta. He was subsequently classified as unfit for further service and returned to New Zealand for discharge. Thomas later worked for his uncle at Rakaia in Canterbury. On 6th June 1919 he was last seen walking across a paddock. His body was found a few days later in an irrigation stream. There was a kerosene tin full of stones around the neck, and the pockets of his jacket were also weighed down with stones indicating he had taken his own life.

 

All medals are correctly impressed 8/228 PTE. T.A. HOOD. N.Z.E.F. The star is unable to be photographed due to being wired down but is guaranteed to be correctly named in every way. Note, a 15ct gold fob Thomas received on his return from the war was sold at Noble Numismatics in September 2023.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand

Newspaper article describing his death