British Afghanistan War hero who defused more than 50 bombs sells medals for £32k to support twin daughters' future
An Afghanistan War hero has sold his gallantry medals for £32,000 to support the future of his twin daughters.
Bomb disposal expert Captain Gareth 'Woody' Wood defused more than 50 improvised explosive devices and was blown up four times during a six-month tour in Helmand province.
He performed his perilous duties knowing every day could be his last after one of his best friends, Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, was killed defusing an IED.
Captain Wood was awarded the prestigious Military Cross for coming to the aid of a stricken crew of a Mastiff armoured vehicle in March 2010.
The crew were marooned in a minefield and taking heavy Taliban machine-gun fire.
Captain Wood defused the first device then wrenched a second one from the ground with his hands, all while being relentlessly shot at.
His right hand was sliced open and two of his fingers 'broke like twigs' but despite enduring considerable pain he refused to be evacuated.
After being quickly patched up, with his right arm in a sling and fingers in a splint, he used his weaker left hand to defuse three devices in just 20 minutes.
Afghanistan War hero Captain Gareth 'Woody' Wood has sold his gallantry medals for £32,000 to support the future of his twin daughters
His actions enabled the crew to extricate themselves using a route he had plotted under the cover of darkness.
Captain Wood, an ammunition technical officer with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, earned a Military Cross for his actions north of the Nad-Ali district.
The 43-year-old, who retired from the Army last year, spoke to his family about his medals and decided selling was the 'best option'.
Captain Wood, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: 'My daughters have recently reached adulthood, and a conversation was had as to what to do with my medals.
'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 ladder or see them through university.'
Captain Wood was awarded the prestigious Military Cross for coming to aid of a stricken crew of a Mastiff armoured vehicle in March 2010
His medal group went under the hammer today with auctioneers Noonans in London.
They sold for £32,000. With fees added on the overall price paid for them by the winning bidder was £41,200.
Captain Wood commanded the IED disposal team Brimstone 32 during Operation Herrick XI from October 2009 to April 2010.
His rudimentary toolbox included a ceramic knife, a paintbrush and a special electrically fired gun which is used to remotely cut wires.
He was blown up three weeks before the end of his tour, suffering hearing damage which meant he had to be withdrawn from the field.
His lead searcher lost both his legs.
The medals complete with press cuttings and other mementoes
Captain Wood defused more than 50 improvised explosive devices and was blown up four times during a six-month tour in Helmand province
Captain Wood recalled: 'If you're lucky, and I mean really lucky, you will leave Helmand with your team intact - no one killed or injured, no amputees.
'But you know you are going to get blown up, you know you are going to get shot at.
'You just have to hope that luck is on your side.
'But there are only so many rolls of the dice you can have before you get a double six.'
Mark Quayle, medal specialist 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 always conscious of those who had gone before him and not been so fortunate.'
His medal group consists of the Military Cross; General Service 1962-2007; Operational Service Medal 2000; Jubilee 2012; Coronation 2023; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011; Army Long Service Medal.
