William John Wood was born in Ottawa, Ontario, in May 1877. He later settled in Midland, Ontario, where he enlisted in February 1916 with the 157th Battalion the Simcoe Foresters. Wood served in England and in France with the 20th Battalion until his demobilization and return to Canada in May 1919. Wood was also a noted painter and friends with the Group of Seven. The collection currently consists of twenty five letters and two postcards.