The 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment formed part of the 6th Division and were contained in the 18th Brigade comprising of the following battalions; 11th Essex Regiment, 2nd Durham Light Infantry, and the 14th Durham Light Infantry.

The Division sailed from Southampton on the 7th September 1914, eventually arriving at St. Nazaire, France on the 9th, disembarkation taking place early on the morning of the 10th. The battalions first action was on the Aisne Heights later in the month where, the battalion suffered considerable casualties. At the time of William's death, the battalion was in positions around the much fought over area of Hooge, Belgium. The battalion itself for much of the month, had been involved in various actions in support of other battalions within the Division. This was interspersed with considerable lengths of time holding the front line. It is in one of these periods that William lost his life.
The following extract is taken from the local press in September, 1915: 'Local Roll Of Honour - Harrogate Man Killed In Action. Another of Harrogate's sons has fallen in the defense of his country. We refer to Pte. W. H. Hood of the 1st West Yorks. Regt. who was hit in the head by a bullet whilst on sentry duty last Tuesday and killed. The sad news was conveyed to his wife, Mrs. Hood, of Cambridge Place, Harrogate, by means of a letter from one of his comrades, Pte. C. White, of the same regiment. Pte. White also mentioned the incident in a letter to his wife:-

August 24th,1915

"To Mrs. Hood, - It is with my deepest sympathy that i let you know that Billy has been killed. He was hit at 4 o'clock this morning as we stood on sentry. I was standing by the side of him when he was hit by a bullet, which killed him. All his comrades send their deepest sympathy to you, as he was well liked by all of us". - C. White.

August 24th, 1915

"Dear Wife and Children, - Just a line to you. You will be very sorry to hear I lost my pal "Billy" Hood, out of Ship Yard, this morning. He was killed at 4 o'clock. I was stood at the side of him on sentry when he was hit at the back of the head. He was talking to me at the time and had just said, "We will have some coffee when we go off," as i had said we will make some tea. I said "all right" just as the bullet hit him, and he never spoke again. He only lived about three minutes after he was hit. Give my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Hood and family. All his comrades send their deepest sympathy, as he was well liked by all in the company. I cannot write anymore just now, dear, for i am upset too much. We had often said what we would do when we got back to the Ship Yard. - From your loving husband, Charles.

Let J. Stewart know as soon as you see him".'

Unfortunately, two months later, Charles was also killed and is now buried in Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery.

It would also seem, that prior to William's death, there was some correspondence featured in local newspapers. The following article is taken from the press, dated Tuesday, 2nd March, 1915:

'A Privates Cheese, Lobster, and Sardines

Private W.H. Hood, of the 1st West Yorkshires, and a resident of Wetherby, writing from the front says- "We get plenty of cheese, so don't send anymore. I am going to have lobster for my tea, and sardines tomorrow. We keep losing men in the trenches through getting shot by the Germans. I wish they were all shot, and then we might have a chance of getting home again. It never seems to get nearer the end."'

Commonwealth War Graves Commission list William as a native of Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

William is also commemorated on the Harrogate War Memorial, front centre panel as well as the memorial located in St. Peters Church, Harrogate. Charles is also commemorated on the Harrogate War Memorial and also on the memorial located in Christ Church, Harrogate.