-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the Sinking of Hood, 24th May 1941

In Remembrance of
John Wellington Hall

John was born on 3rd May 1903 at Elstree in Hertfordshire, the son of Henry Whitworth (Harry) Hall and his wife Edith. John's father had been an Estate Manager but by the mid Edwardian years seems to have taken a position as a manager in Wellington and Ward, the photographic manufacturing business established in Elstree by John's uncle James Wellington. John is recorded in the 1911 census as resident in the household of his uncle, The Leys, Elstree whilst his father was in New York on business - probably with Kodak. John had an elder brother Harry who went on to be a Brigadier General in the Army.

John entered the Royal Navy on 15th January 1917 and undertook his initial training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He served in H.M.S. Resolution initially as a Midshipman and later as a Sub-Lieutenant between May 1921 and September 1923 at which point he returned to shore to complete his Sub-Lieutenant's courses in Gunnery, Torpedo and Navigation at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 30th September 1926.

As a Lieutenant he served in H.M.S Woodcock from March 1925 to March 1927, H.M.S. Furious between August 1927 and April 1929 and in H.M.S. Wryneck from May 1931. John was well regarded throughout his career. Lieutenant-Commander Jones of H.M.S. Woodcock reported in December 1926 that he was, "very promising with considerable ability for organising and handling men but [a] good messmate both on board and ashore. Exceedingly fine physique. Fond of really all outdoor sports specially shooting and riding." In May 1930, Captain Maxwell of H.M.S. Wryneck reported that, "...by his extremely quiet manner, one is led to think that there is not much to him, but as one knows him, one realises what a splendid Divisional Officer he is. Takes an interest in the Boys' welfare."

John retired from the navy - probably in September 1934 when he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander - and it is not known what he did between then and re-joining for war service, it is possible though that his took up a role in the family photographic business.

John was married to Joan Marion Creagh-Barry in June 1932. The couple had a daughter, Michale Wellington Hall who was born in April 1941, just a month before John was killed in Hood aged 38.

Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial

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Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial

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St. Peter's Church, Benington, Hertfordshire, England

Photos of the memorial



The memorial stands in the churchyard of St. Peter's Church.





John's name among the other casualties of World War 2 from the parish.

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