James Currie Wood was born in Perth in 1919 to Charles Thornton Wood and his wife Flora Smith. He had two older brothers: Hugh and Charles; and an older sister, Lizzie.

At about 4.15 pm on November 3rd 1923, James' brother, Charles Thornton Wood junior, drowned in the River Tay, "at a part thereof near the George Hotel, Tay Street." He was 12 years old and his usual residence was High Street, Perth. The body wasn't recovered.

No. 100 Squadron was reformed on 15 December 1942 as part of No. 1 Group, Bomber Command, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, and began operations in January 1943, based at RAF Waltham, Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The squadron formed part of the main bomber force from then until the end of the war, taking part in the last day of Lancaster operations on 25 April, when it provided sixteen aircraft for an attack on Berchtesgaden.

Perthshire Advertiser, 23rd June 1943

“WAR CASUALTIES"

“PERTH AIRMAN REPORTED KILLED"

“Official information has been received that Flight Sgt. J. C. Wood, a Perth airman who was posted missing from a raid over Germany on May 26 this year, was killed."

“He was the youngest son of Mr C. T. Wood, fruiterer, St. John Street, and of Mrs Wood, 69 George Street, Perth and was aged 24. His wife and infant son reside at Lonsdale, Invergowrie."

“F/Sgt. Wood, who was educated at Perth Academy, entered the R.A.F. as a volunteer on his 20th birthday in May, 1939. he flew as a wireless operator-air gunner before being posted as a gunnery instructor and later to radiolocation. Going back on operations, he became a radio officer."

“His brother, H. S. Wood, has been serving as a Flying Officer in the Middle East for the past year and was, in civilian life, a bank accountant in Clydesdale Bank, Crieff.”

Perthshire Advertiser, 8th December 1943

“WOOD.- Previously reported missing, now officially confirmed killed on operations over Germany during May, 1943, Flight-Sergeant J. C. Wood, younger son of Mr and Mrs C. T. Wood, Perth, and dearly beloved husband of Jenny Stewart, Lonsdale, Invergowrie.”

Some time after Charles Wood's death by drowning in the River Tay a body was recovered and it was identified as that of Charles Wood by means of his boots. The newspaper report is included below.