Edward Joy Morris Wood, Jr. (Morrie) was born in 1892 to Loretta and E. J. Morris Wood, Sr. Morrie’s father was named for Edward Joy Morris, a Pennsylvania Republican who served in the 36th United States Congress along with John Wood, Morrie’s grandfather (and my great-great grandfather). Morrie’s mother was the former Loretta Hahn of Hanover, Ontario, and as a child Morrie and his two younger brothers spent their summers with their maternal grandparents in Canada. During these visits, and time spent with his mother’s family, led to Morrie’s identification of himself as a Canadian (in spirit if not in citizenship).

 

In 1915 when it came time to enlist, Morrie joined the Canadian Militia’s Machine Gun Section, and served for three years. He was awarded the Silver Medal in recognition of his service to the British Army. This is also reflected on his tunic.

 

An article in his hometown paper showed that the three Wood brothers served for three different countries, with Jack John Hahn Wood) serving as an ambulance driver in the French Army (awarded the Croix de Guerre) and Babe Francois Xavier) in the US Cavalry. From stories they told me as I was growing up, their time in the Great War would be the focal point in the lives of Jack and Babe. I imagine the same was true of Morrie, although I was only 5 when he died and have no memory of having met him.

 

From Jack’s scrapbook, we see that by Christmas of 1919, Morrie had joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Western Ontario Division. It is interesting to note that the RCMP stationery used for his 1919 holiday card predates the reported date for the merger of the RNWMP and the Dominion Police, forming the RCMP in 1920. Morrie’s tunic would have been among the very last of the RNWMP-designated uniforms.

 

In his first full year, according to the documentation, Constable Wood served in Northern Canada out of headquarters in Edmonton Barracks. My favorite quote of his is; 

 

“the great beauty of that vast wild is beyond description, gorgeous scenery, the solitude and magnificent calm which hangs over it continually like a pall has a lure which drives a person on and on, gives ample opportunity to meditate on the immensity of a country yet uninhabited. “ 

 

I believe this gives some insight into Morrie’s personality, and in what inspired him.

 

At some point he also served out of the Regina Barracks. His time of service extended into 1925, and the cause of his leaving the force is unknown to me. A few years ago I contacted the museum at Regina and they did confirm his service, but I did not ask for or receive any details. You may be able to find out more about him, if you would like. 

 

I do not know what occupation filled his years from 1925 until his death in 1962. As far as we know he did not marry and had no children. Of the three Wood brothers, only one had a child, and she was my mother. I received “Wood” as my middle name and so passed that to my son. We are the last male descendants of the Wood family. 

 

Thank you for your interest in Morrie, and I am so glad that his story will live on in some way, and especially that his serge tunic will be back in Canada. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

R, Wood Forrest