GONE HOME
H.M.S. Hood was the last battle cruiser built for the Royal Navy and was commissioned in 1920.
In May 1941, Hood and the battleship Prince of Wales were ordered to intercept the German battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, which were en route to the Atlantic.
On 24th May 1941, early in the Battle of the Denmark Strait, Hood was struck by several German shells, exploded, and sank within 3 minutes. 1415 men lost their lives. Three of her crew survived.
We know the names of some former Scouts and Leaders who were lost with the ship.
- Leading Seaman Godfrey Julius Baines, 1st Ross-on-Wye Group.
- Able Seaman Walter Robert Barrie, 1st Drayton Group. Deep Sea Scout
- Ordinary Seaman Herbert William Llewellyn Batten, 8th Portsmouth (St Matthews) Group.
- Joiner 4th Class Geoffrey Vivian Beardsley, Southbourne Sea Scout Group.
- Joiner 4th Class Harold Bramhall, 4th Morecombe & Heysham Sea Scouts.
- Able Seaman Paul Dennis Bransden, 1st Brighton Sea Scout Group.
- Wireman Ronald William Bridges, Rover Scout 1st Bloxham Group.
- Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Carey, Deep Sea Scout.
- Able Seaman Lambert Edwards Croucher, 15th Brighton West (1st Sea Scouts) Group.
- Midshipman Hamilton King Davies, Brentwood School Troop.
- Able Seaman Stephen Ernest Dunn, Deep Sea Scout.
- Midshipman George Rigby Eagles, Douai School Group.
- Signalman Roy Donald Erskine, 13th Romford (Trinity) Group.
- Ordinary Seaman Alan Earle Hadley, 12th Winchester Group, Deep Sea Rover Scout.
- Stoker 2nd Class Cyril Arthur Hoare, Whittlesford Group.
- Able Seaman Owen Ellis Hulme, Deep Sea Rover Scout.
- Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Walter Ierston, Deep Sea Rover Scout.
- Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Norman Kay, 1st Birtley (Appleyard’s Own).
- Boy 1st Class Robert Keers, Deep Sea Rover Squire.
- Able Seaman Reginald James Kitchener, Deep Sea Rover Scout.
- Midshipman Peter Ross Lapthorn, Fernden School Group, Haslemere.
- Able Seaman John Joseph Lownds, 1st Wharton Group.