A BARROW sailor who kept supply lines open during the Second World War and served during the D-Day landings has passed away, aged 95.

Henry Wood died on December 30 after a short illness. His son Tony Wood, 56, of Newby Terrace, Barrow, has paid tribute to his father, speaking of his remarkable life at sea which saw him face German U-boats, almost lose his life in a torpedo attack, and sweep the Atlantic for enemy mines.

Mr Wood said: "We spent many happy years together. He was married for 40 years to my mum. And he was one of those guys that never gave in. He had his knockbacks but he never gave in."

In 1939 when he was aged only 17, Henry Wood joined the Royal Navy. During the war he worked as a gunner inside the turrets of battleships, and by the end of the Second World War, had been promoted to the rank of able seaman, also serving as a quartermaster.

One of his first tasks at sea was to embark on the incredibly dangerous 'Wolf Run' from the British Isles to the Arctic. During Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union, this supply line was vital to keeping the Russian war effort alive. However, British ships faced constant threat of attack from 'wolf packs' of German submarines.

Mr Wood said: "Eighty-five merchant vessels and 16 Royal Navy warships were destroyed on this route."

During the war he served on a range of vessels, including the battleship HMS Revenge, destroyer HMS Verity, and the frigate HMS Whitaker.

Like many men who served, he was fortunate to make it home. In November 1944 HMS Whitaker was torpedoed off the Irish coast. The bow of the ship was totally destroyed, the part of the ship Mr Wood usually slept in. He escaped certain death only after deciding to smoke on deck with his comrades.

Tony Wood said: "He decided that instead of going to the bow, where his hammock was situated, he would go and have a cigarette with one of his mates. That split second decision saved his life as seconds later the whole of the bow was blown up."
He was pitched into the freezing waters for several hours until finally being rescued by an allied ship.

After the war he returned to Barrow, married Leonora Wardle, of Dalton, fathered two children, Tony and Gary, and went on to have two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Mr Wood's funeral will take place at 10.45am, on Wednesday January 10, at Thorncliffe Crematorium, in Devonshire Road. Family flowers only, but donations to the British Heart Foundation are welcomed.

Mr Wood added: "He was entirely my hero, my dad."