-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
Joseph Sydney Hellens
Place of birth: South Shields, County Durham, England
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Engine Room Artificer 4th Class
Service Number: P/MX 60193
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information:
Joe as he was known, was born on 12th May 1911 in South Shields, County Durham. He was the youngest of six children born to Joseph and Mary Hellens. His siblings were (from eldest to youngest) Margaret, Charles, Frank, Grace and Mary. Charles would later be lost in action during the Second World War.
The family relocated to Liverpool from Jarrow shortly after Joe's birth. His father worked in Liverpool as a dock worker. He retired between the wars but came out of retirement during the Second World War.
Joe married Veronic Morley in West Derby, Liverpool in 1932. Together they had four children, Joseph, Barry, Constance and Malcolm. He was 30 years old at the time of his loss.
Additional Photos |
 Joe with an unidentified group - possibly his term from the period he spent training as an Engine Room Artificer. |
 Notes made on the reverse of the photo. |
 Joe's medals were sent to his family after the war. Left to right: WW2 War Medal, Atlantic Star and !939 to 1945 Star. |
 Notes sent with the medals |
 A letter of condolence sent to Joe's family along with his medals. |
Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England
Photos of the memorial
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England
Photos of the memorial
The part of the memorial in which the Hood casualty names can be found.
(Panels 45 to 61)
Joseph's name is in Column 2 of Panel 53.
Detail of Joseph's name.
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
David Johns, Joe's great nephew (photographs) June 2020.