Afghanistan veteran's Military Cross auctioned to help daughters buy a property

A former British Army bomb disposal expert is selling his Military Cross to help fund his daughters' first steps onto the property ladder. 

Gareth "Woody" Wood of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, who was described as a specialist in every sense of the word, served as an Ammunition Technical Officer in Nad e-Ali in Afghanistan,

During his six-month tour, he defused more than 50 bombs and was blown up on four occasions. 

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"My daughters have recently reached adulthood, and a conversation was had as to what to do with my medals," Mr Wood said. 

"As I do not wear the originals and they are twins, it was decided that selling was the best option. 

"They decided that they would benefit more by selling and investing the money to help them with their step onto the property or see them through university."

The 43-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent, who retired in February 2024, received the Military Cross following an incident on 30 March 2010 when Captain Wood and his team were flown in to rescue soldiers from 1st Battalion  The Royal Welsh, whose two Mastiff armoured vehicles had become stuck in an improvised Taliban minefield. 

Capt Wood worked quickly to defuse one of the five explosive devices, as there were only four hours of daylight remaining, and he was under continued Taliban small arms fire. 

He later broke two fingers and cut his hand while removing the second improvised explosive device (IED). 

His colleagues told him to go back to the base for medical attention, although he carried on with one arm in a sling and his fingers in a splint.

In the end, Capt Wood neutralised five IEDs, meaning the Mastiff crews could get themselves out of the minefield. 

The eight medals awarded to the now-retired soldier are expected to reach a price of between £20,000 and £30,000 at the Noonans auction house in central London. 

Mark Quayle, a medal specialist and associate director at Noonans, said: "'Nerves of steel' has become an overused phrase – but never was it more applicable than in the case of Captain G D 'Woody' Wood, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment. 

"With countless bombs defused – 'Woody' undertook 'the lonely walk' in Afghanistan, regardless of how many times he was blown up, and [was] always conscious of those who had gone before him and [had] not been so fortunate."

The medals are being sold with a selection of contemporary documents, including letters, newspaper articles and invitations. 

The medals group includes the Military Cross, General Service 1962-2007; Operational Service Medal 2000; Jubilee 2012; Coronation 2003; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011 and Army Long Service Medal.