October 1939
to
May 1940
In October 1939, shortly after his 21st birthday, John leaves his home village of Hankerton in Wiltshire and travels to Okehampton in Devon to enlist in the Royal Artillery. He is posted to 384th Battery of the 142nd Field Artillery (Royal Devon Yeomanry).

Gunner WoodThese first months are spent training in and around the Okehampton area. John qualifies as a signaller in April 1940.

Elsewhere…

·      September 1939: Germany invades Poland & Britain declares war

·      Rationing starts in Britain at the start of 1940

·      May 1940: Germany invades France, Belgium and the Netherlands

·      Neville Chamberlain resigns as British Prime Minister and is replaced by Winston Churchill