'Sir Henry Evelyn Wood V.C.', 1882 (c)

Tinted lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day and Son, published by 'The Sporting Gazette and Agricultural Journal', 6 May 1882.

Henry Evelyn Wood (1838-1919) served in the Crimean War (1854-1856) with the Naval Brigade. After being wounded and invalided home, aged just 17, Wood transferred to the British Army, becoming a cornet in the 13th (Light) Dragoons. In 1856, a second deployment to the Crimea as a lieutenant led to Wood contracting typhoid fever. His mother travelled to Scutari and brought the young officer home.

During the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), Wood, serving with the 17th Light Dragoons (Lancers), was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a merchant captured by robbers.

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Wood became a member of the 'ring' of influential officers who served with Sir Garnet Wolseley during the Ashanti War of 1873-1874.

During the Zulu War (1879) Wood commanded Lord Chelmsford's Left Flank Column, and was one of the few British commanders to emerge from the war with his reputation enhanced. Wood served in the Transvaal War (1880-1881) in South Africa, the Egyptian War (1882) and the 1st Sudan War (1883-1885).

Wood went on to serve as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Aldershot Command, Quartermaster General and Adjutant General. He rose to the rank of field marshal in 1903, retiring in 1904.