Hood, Lloyd

Lloyd was born on the family farm and was educated up to the end of Grade 8 at the school just 4 miles down the road. He then worked on the family farm until the age of 16.
He was employed as a truck driver for 2 years carrying livestock, milk, heavy goods and this was his employment up to his enlistment.
He enjoyed reading the newspapers, popular magazines, listening to music, playing softball and football and also skating.

Lloyd went to Kitchener and enlisted into the Canadian Active Service Force at No. 10 Basic Training Centre. Was appointed to the rank of Private.
In his meeting with the Canadian Army officials they felt he was a man of considerable endurance and would be a willing worker. He is deemed to be intelligent and social.
The Quartermaster provided Private Hood with the following kit…..
1 pair web anklets,  1 battle dress blouse,  2 pair ankle boots.  1 beret,  2 pair woolen drawers,                1 pair knitted drab gloves,  1 drab greatcoat,  1 jacket sweater or jersey pullover,  2 angola drab shirts,
4 pair socks, 1 pair battledress trousers,  2 woolen vests, 1 braces, 1 clothes brush, 1 hair brush, 
1 shaving brush, 1 shoe brush,  1 toothbrush,  1 cap comforter,  1 hair comb,  1 set identity discs with cord,  1 field dressing,  1 standard set table utensils,  1 holdal,  1 complete housewife,  1 knife with clasp,  1 table knife,  1 safety razor with blade,  1 dessert spoon,  2 hand towels,  1 waist belt,                                   1 water bottle,  braces we 1 right  1 left,  1 water bottle carrier,  1 breech rifle cover,  1 bayonet frog/web,  1 haversack,  1 steel helmet,  1 helmet camouflage net,  1 pack,  2 basic pouches,                                    1 rifle sling / web,  2 shoulder haversack straps,  2 supporting web straps,  1 mess tin,  1 p/g cape,                                     1 a/g respirator and haversack,  1a/d outfit,  1 a/g ointments,  1 pack of 6 a/g eyeshields,  3 blankets,
1 drinking mug,  1 ground sheet,  1 Lee Enfield Rifle No. 17L2001,  1 bayonet with scabbard, 
1 bottle of oil,  1 pullthrough – single,  50 cartridges SA 303 Mk VII.
November 30, 1941 - to No. 1 District Depot to Trade School – Windsor.
December 24, 1941 – to No. 11  Advanced Driving and Maintenance School in Woodstock – Ontario and attached for Phase III of Driver Mechanics.
On March 6, 1942, Private Hood qualified as a Driver Mechanic - Grade I and Grade III. 
On March 7, 1942, he is posted as reinforcement to the Royal Canadian Artillery Training Centre at Petawawa. He is appointed to the rank of Gunner.
Gunner Hood on March 9, 1942 qualified I.C   Class I   Wheeled   Motorcycle   Grade III.
May 5, 1942 – to 30th Light AA Battery  Royal Canadian Artillery at Debert – Nova Scotia.
July 3, 1942 – received orders to proceed to “G” Force Command  
At No. 11 Advanced Driving and Maintenance School, Gunner Hood either began or completed this course on March 9, 1943.
On July 1, 1943 – to 22nd Anti Aircraft Regiment based at St. John – New Brunswick.
On July 11, 1943 – Gunner  Hood receives 2 weeks furlough.
On December 7, 1943, Private Hood had completed Part I of the Royal Canadian Army Infantry Training Course.
On January 28, 1944, Private Hood either began or completed the Driver Mechanic Course at S17 Technical Training School in Woodstock – Ontario.
On February 16, 1944, Gunner Hood is Taken on Strength sent to No. 12 to Canadian Infantry Basic Training Camp for Central Ontario -  Chatham
On March 10, 1944 – to No. 29 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Ipperwash. Attached to No. 5 Company.
By March 10, 1944, Private Hood had completed Part II of the Royal Canadian Army Infantry Training Course.
Private Hood then completed Part II of the (Advanced) Royal Canadian Army Infantry Training Course on May 4, 1944.
On May 5, 1944 – to No. 5  Canadian Driving and Maintenance School for Driver In Charge Course – Woodstock – Ontario.
On June 16, 1944 – to No. 9  Canadian Armour Motor Mechanical School in London – Ontario
On June 16, 1044 – revers to rank of Private.
On July 29, 1944 – to No. S5 Canadian Driver and Maintenance School in Woodstock  – Ontario.
By August 10, 1944, Private Hood completed…..the Mechanical Carrier Course
                                                                                    the  I.C. C7. III W & UG
                                                                                    the Canadian Driver and Maintenance School
August 11, 1944 – Qualifies as Driver  IC Class III W and Class III for United Kingdom.
Throughout his training he took rifle, Bren gun, light Bren machine gun, PIAT and Sten gun training.
August 14, 1944 – Private Hood is granted two weeks embarkation Leave until August 27, 1944.
August 31, 1944 – Private Hood qualifies as a Driver / Mechanic  Group “C”
On September 13, 1944 – to Debert – Nova Scotia and the No. 1 Training Brigade Group
On October 12, 1944 – Private Hood departs Halifax and Canada.
On October 21, 1944 – Private Hood arrives in the United Kingdom and moves to No. 2 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment.
On November 9, 1944 – to No. 9 Canadian Infantry Training Regiment.
On November 10, 1944 – Private Hood embarks from the United Kingdom.
On November 11, 1944 – Private Hood arrives on the continent in France.
On January 28, 1945 – Private Hood as posted to the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

In the field…..

Operation VERITABLE began of February 8, 1945 by the British 30th Corps under the command of the 1st Canadian Army. The 4th Canadian Armoured Division was still under the command of the 1st British Corps and were now standing by to renew the offensive momentum when the 2nd Canadian Corps entered the battle. 
The Lincoln and Welland Regiment was part of the 10th Infantry Brigade and had fought in the Rhineland during the early months of 1945 and the members of the Regiment who paid the supreme sacrifice are part of the Canada’s “lost generation”. During the first weeks of 1945, the losses of the Regiment numbered 600 men.
In those first weeks of 1945, their involvement in the Battle for the Rhineland was bloody, bitter and intense. In early February, the Regiment was strung out along the Maas River near Tilburg in southern Holland and this time was spent recuperating, bringing their numbers up to battle readiness, training and waiting for their next advance.
On the morning of February 10, 1945, “B” Company and possibly other Companies were involved in a mock training battle and had the support of the tanks of the British Columbia Regiment. There objective was a hill on the mock battlefield.
At 11 am Private Hood along with his Company were advancing toward their object which lay approximately 600 yards away. He had been assigned to 6 Section. Private Hood had arrived at the base of the hill about 25 yards in front of him. The tanks of the British Columbia Regiment were offering support fire while stationary over the heads of the infantry. As he advanced the tanks were behind him and he was struck in the abdomen from the fire from the tanks. Immediate aid was requested by the infantry and the tank radios called for an ambulance. By this time nothing could be done for Private Hood as his wounds would prove to be fatal.
He was quickly taken to No. 15 Canadian Field Ambulance before being moved to No. 32 British Casualty Clearing Station. He could not survive his wounds and Private Hood died on February 11, 1945 at mid day.
It was determined at the Board of Inquiry that Private Hood and “B” Company were not negligent in their actions and as well that the crew members of the support tanks were not negligent.
What was determined was that the support fire from the tanks was striking the ground some distance in front of “B” Company and that one of the bullets ricocheted off the ground and came back to where Private Hood was advancing.

The Hood family received a letter dated February 27, 1945 from Brigadier A.C. Spener per the Acting Adjutant General expressing the condolences and sympathies of the Government of Canada about the loss of their family member.
Private Hood was buried at Goirle – Netherlands on February 12, 1945 and given full military honours and Christian rites by Chaplain McVimis.
The Hood family received a letter dated February 28, 1946 stating that Private Hood had been reburied will military honours and Christian rites that and that his grave would be cared for in perpetuity. This letter was from Colonel C. L.Laurin the Director of Records per the Adjutant General.
The family received a letter dated November 15, 1947 with an enclosed photo of the cemetery where Private Hood had ben reburied as well as a photograph of his grave.
Lloyd’s mother was his Executrix for his estate.
Lloyd had a $1,000 Insurance Policy with North America Life.
The War Service Gratuity for Private Hood was $341.61.
His final monies from his pay amounted to $194.32.
The personal items of Private Hood were sent to the family and included 1 black leather wallet, 1 New Testament, 1 Watermann’s pen/pencil set, 1 blood donor book, 5 negatives, 2 snapshots, 1 Ronson lighter in case, 1 Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp and 1 red “I” disc.