EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Charles Hood was born in Kettins by Coupar Angus, on 11th April 1898. In 1901 the Hood family were living at Nether Ballunie Farm House, Kettins: Father, Charles (Farmer) (43); Mother Grace (57); and Son, Charles (3). Also living at this address was Janet Duncan (General Servant Domestic) (15). Charles was educated at Perth Academy and was a Student in Arts at Saint Andrews University from Martinmas 1916 to Candlemas 1917.

SCOTTISH TERM DAYS

Scottish term and quarter days mark the four divisions (terms and quarters) of the legal year in Scotland. The term days are Whitsunday and Martinmas, and together with Candlemas and Lammas they constitute the Quarter Days. Charles Hood would have been at St Andrews University from November 1916 to February 1917.

WAR SERVICE

Charles Hood was a Corporal in the Wiltshire Regiment and then transferred to 1/7th Battalion, Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).

Extract from the Battalion History of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders:

“Just beyond the village of Iwuy, north of Cambrai, lay a small village called Lieu-St. Amand. It was strongly fortified by machine-guns hidden on the roofs of the houses. The village was sited at the foot of a hill, the crest of which had to be crossed by the attackers"

"In order to take it. On 12th October, 2 companies tried to storm the village but were driven back. The next morning, 13th October, the remaining 2 companies made the same attempt. On the ridge 2 officers and 16 men were killed and 96 men wounded. The survivors reached a point 100 yards from the village and had to remain there all day before being able to withdraw after dark.”

While there is no definitive record of how and when Charles Hood lost his life, it is likely that he was one of the men who died during this action. He was 20 years of age.

Charles Hood is also commemorated on the Kettins Parish War Memorial; the Kinnettles, Forfar, Parish War Memorial; and the University of St. Andrews War Memorial.