He served in the Anglo-Egyptian War in 1882, and was present at the Battle of Tell El Kebir (September 1882), for which he was mentioned in despatches, received the medal with clasps, the 4th class of the Order of Medjidie, the Khedive's star, and a brevet promotion to major on 18 November 1882.

After the Second Boer War broke out in October 1899, he was asked to accompany Sir Redvers Buller and the 1st Army Corps as they went to South Africa.

On arrival he was appointed Chief Engineer in South Africa, with local rank of major-general, and continued as such until the war ended in June 1902.

[3][1] He returned to the United Kingdom on the SS Dunvegan Castle, which arrived in Southampton in early September 1902,[4] and was invested with the KCB by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 24 October 1902.

[5] Wood was appointed in command of the Royal Engineers, 1st Army Corps based at Aldershot Garrison, on 8 September 1902,[6] and received the substantive rank of major-general on the same day[7] (this was later dated back to 22 August 1902 as he was promoted for Distinguished service in the Field in the October 1902 South Africa Honours list[8]).