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Local Hero: The Remarkable Story of Undy’s Harry Wood MBE

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German U-Boat (1945) CC BY 2.0 [See Sources]

Did you know that one of Undy’s own sons fought off a German U-boat in World War Two and received the MBE for his courage?

Through detailed genealogical research, I’ve uncovered this extraordinary story about Harry George Wood, who was born in Undy in 1916. His tale of wartime heroism demonstrates the remarkable courage that emerged from a Monmouthshire community during Britain’s darkest hour.

Early Life in Undy

Harry was born on 15th March 1916 at the family home on Vinegar Hill. His father Ernest worked as a storekeeper at Severn Tunnel Junction for the Great Western Railway, while his mother Lucy Florence raised Harry, his sister Joyce Mary, and younger brother Leonard.

Harry attended Magor School, where his academic ability earned him a scholarship to Newport Technical College. However, instead of following in his father’s footsteps, Harry pursued maritime opportunities and joined Cory Brothers shipping in Cardiff as an apprentice. By 1941, despite being only 25 years old, he had already accumulated ten years of sea experience.

The Atlantic Battle: 20th July 1941

U-boat Attack

Harry’s moment of extraordinary courage came while serving as Second Officer aboard the merchant vessel Palma, carrying vital supplies across the Atlantic. 

These were perilous journeys through dangerous waters, where German U-boat ‘wolfpacks’ hunted British shipping with deadly efficiency.  The Palma, a recently built 5,419-ton motor merchant vessel operated by Royal Mail Lines Ltd, was unescorted. At 05:05 on the morning of 20th July 1941, approximately 300 miles off the Irish coast, German submarine U-95 launched a torpedo attack on their ship.

When the torpedo missed its target, the German submarine surfaced and began firing its deck gun at the Palma. Harry, positioned on the bridge, immediately began evasive manoeuvres while under direct enemy fire.

Harry's Heroism

The situation escalated when two German shells struck the Palma. Rather than seeking cover, Harry left the relative safety of the bridge to man the ship’s defensive gun, returning fire against the attacking U-boat.

Despite sustaining shrapnel wounds to both his ankle and shoulder from German artillery, Harry continued operating the gun while his vessel zig-zagged at high speed. After eleven minutes of intense engagement, the frustrated German submarine abandoned the attack and withdrew.

Harry’s courage under fire had directly contributed to saving his ship and the lives of all crew members aboard.

National Recognition and Local Pride

While Harry recovered from his wounds in hospital, news of his heroism reached home. Local Gwent newspapers reported with evident pride: “Second Officer Wood spent some time in hospital as a result of his wounds and was home on leave recently before rejoining his ship.”

On 7th October 1941, The London Gazette officially announced that Harry George Wood of Undy had been awarded the MBE for his exceptional bravery. Local newspaper headlines celebrated: “GWENT MAN’S M.B.E. – DROVE OFF U-BOAT”

The German Submarine's Fate

Research into German naval archives revealed that U-95 was sunk by a Dutch submarine just four months later, in November 1941. The German captain Kptlt. Gerd Schreiber survived and was taken prisoner. Schreiber escaped from his Prisoner of War camp in Gibraltar but was re-captured and sent to London. He remained in the German Navy after the war and died in 2004 aged 91.  So both participants in this remarkable encounter lived to see the war’s end.

Unfortunately, Harry’s ship Palma was not as lucky – she was torpedoed and sunk by another U-boat (U-183)  in February 1944, though Harry was not on board.

Harry's Post War Life

In 1945, Harry married Glenys M. Hughes. They lived at Severn View, Vinegar Hill, Undy, with his parents Ernest and Lucy.  Harry was not the only Wood to help the war effort. According to the records both Ernest and Lucy worked as ARP Wardens.

By 1949, Harry and Glenys had relocated with their children. They eventually settled in Dorset. Harry enjoyed a long life, passing away in 2010 at age 94, with Glenys following in 2011.

Discovering Local Heritage

This remarkable story emerged through systematic research across multiple historical archives, including census records, military files, shipping registers, newspapers, and German U-boat war records. The investigation demonstrates how extraordinary tales of courage often lie hidden within seemingly ordinary family histories.

Share or Research Your Family History Story

Do any residents have memories or connections to the Wood family from this period? I would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who remembers the family or has photographs or documents from Undy’s wartime years.

For those researching their own family history, this case demonstrates how systematic investigation can uncover remarkable stories within local genealogy. Many Undy families likely have equally fascinating tales waiting to be discovered through proper historical research. Please get in touch.

Interested in discovering your own family’s hidden history? Professional genealogical research can uncover extraordinary stories from the most unexpected places – including right here in Undy.

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Other Local Stories

You may like to read more about our local stories:

Genealogical Sources

Cover image: This image was originally posted to Flickr by Reminiscencerestore at https://flickr.com/photos/193481420@N03/51417108617. It was reviewed on 19 September 2021 by FlickreviewR 2 and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

  1. HM Treasury. WW2 Merchant Navy Awards. 07 Oct 1941. WOOD, Harry George [Second Officer aboard ship Palma]; online catalogue. National Archives (GB) collection. T335/19 – Treasury: Ceremonial Branch: Second World War Merchant Navy Awards Files (MN Series). (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10818963 : accessed 29 Jul 2025)
  2. Gazette (Supplement). 1941. WOOD, Harry George, Esq. Gazette (Supplement). 07 Oct p. 5784b; online image. Search Gazette.co.uk. (https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35299/supplement/5784 : accessed 29 Jul 2025)
  3. uboat.net. Allies ship listing for British motor merchant ‘Palma’. Attacked 20 Jul 1941; online database. (https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/3204.html :  accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  4. Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (1941). Steamers and Motorships. Entry 89572 ship Palma; online book. Internet Archive Books. [Image 1178 of 1228]. (https://archive.org/details/HECROS1941ST/page/n1177/mode/2up :  accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  5. Kindell, Don. [n.d.] Naval Events, Jul 1941 (Part 2 of 2): Tuesday 15th – Thursday 31st; webpage. Naval-History.net. (https://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4107-34JUL02.htm : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  6. War Office (GB). Ships’ cards. [1939-1945] Ship: Palma. WO 435/14/66; online catalogue. National Archives collection: WO 435 – Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS) – Ships’ Cards https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C18791714 : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  7. Board of Trade (GB). Medal listing. [1946-2002]. WOOD, Harry George (MBE). Discharge no. R.127844; online image. National Archives (GB) collection: BT 395/1/106912. (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4371973 : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  8. Births index (CR) Wales. Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Q2 1916 . WOOD, Harry George. Vol. 11a. p. 2; online index. General Register Office. (www.gro.gov.uk : 29 Jul 2025); citing General Register Office (England & Wales). 
  9. Marriages index (CR) Wales. Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Q1 1945 . WOOD, Harry G. and HUGHES, Glenys M.. Vol. 11a. p. 15; online index. (www.freebmd.org.uk : 29 Jul 2025); citing General Register Office (England & Wales). 
  10. Deaths index (CR) England. Wimborne, Dorset. 20 Apr 2010 . WOOD, Harry George; online index. Ancestry collection: England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2024. (www.ancestry.co.uk : 29 Jul 2025); citing General Register Office (England & Wales). 
  11. Census records. Wales. Undy, Monmouthshire. 1921. WOOD, Ernest (head). RD 582/1. PN 26013. SN 110. ED 4; online images. Findmypast. (www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025); citing National Archives (UK), RG15.
  12. Register of Electors. Wales. Parliamentary Division of the County of Monmouth, Magor (WW) Polling District, Parish of Undy. 1939. WOOD, Harry George. Voter no. 943. p. 745; Online images. Ancestry. Collection: Site Menu Gwent, Wales, Electoral Registers, 1832-1969. Image 757 of 1248. (www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  13. Register of Electors. Wales. Parliamentary Division of Caerwent, Magor (WW) Polling District, Parish of Undy. 30 Jun 1948. WOOD, Harry G. Voter no. 1001. p. 12 WW; Online images. Ancestry. Collection: Site Menu Gwent, Wales, Electoral Registers, 1832-1969. Image 456 of 694. (www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  14. Register of Electors. Wales. Parliamentary Division of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, Chepstow Rural District, Undy (EI) Polling District, Parish of Undy. 20 Nov 1949. WOOD, Ernest. Voter no. 1001. p. 4 EI; Online images. Ancestry. Collection: Site Menu Gwent, Wales, Electoral Registers, 1832-1969. Image 478 of 506. (www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025).
  15. Register of Electors. England. Wimborne, Dorset. 2002-2011. WOOD, Harry [and Glenys M.]. (11 Byron Road, BH21 1NU); online index. Findmypast collection: UK Electoral Registers & Companies House Directors. (www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025). 
  16. Marriages (PR) Wales. Undy, Monmouthshire. 31 Jan 1914. WOOD, Ernest and HODGES, Lucy Florence. p. 63, Entry 125; Online images. Ancestry. Collection: Monmouthshire, Wales, Anglican Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1551-1994. (www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 29 Jul 2025); citing Archives and Records Council Wales.
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