Thomas Jacob Wood was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Wood and his age would indicate that he was the twin brother of John Henry [see also] but he states that he was born c.1895 in Eltham, while John Henry was born in Footscray. When he enlisted on 23 February 1916 he gave his occupation as engineer and stated that he had done his apprenticeship with Johnston & Sons, engineers of Melbourne. He had served one year with the Senior Cadets, 62B, Carlton; 2½ years with the Citizens Forces with the 7th Field Company Engineers, Domain, Melbourne; and three months with the Royal Australian Engineers on Swan Island and was still serving. He nominated his father as his next of kin who, at the time, was living at 18 Berry Street, East Melbourne. He was appointed to the 10th Field Company Engineers with the rank of sapper and sent to Seymour for training.
Thomas embarked on 20 June 1916 aboard HMAT Runic and disembarked at Plymouth on 10 August 1916. He was hospitalized two weeks later suffering from diphtheria. This lasted two months. On 4 January 1917 he was transferred to 3rd Division Engineers from the Engineers Training Depot. He was appointed a driver with Mechanical Transport Services on 28 February, 1917. He was admitted to hospital in Codford on 11 October 1917 after falling off his motor bicycle while despatch riding, breaking his tibia in two places. This time he was in hospital for four months. He was promoted to Temp/Sergeant on 1 November 1918 and employed as a driving instructor. He was promoted to ER (Engineer)/Sergeant a year later.
He married Jessie Isabella Masterton at St. Clement’s, East Dulwich on 1 March 1919. On his marriage certificate he gives his father’s occupation as inspector.
He left England with wife and child for return to Australia on 22 January 1920, and disembarked at Melbourne on 9 March 1920