-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking

We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
Harold Homer

Photo of
Date of birth: 17th August 1893
Place of birth: Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England
Parents: Samuel and Sarah Homer Bond
Wife: Ellen Homer
Previous occupation: Salesman and bookseller
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Chief Mechanician
Service Number: P/KX 89228
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster



Biographical Information:

Harold was born on 17th August 1893 in Stourbridge, Worcestershire to Samuel and Sarah Homer. Harold was the youngest of 7 children - they were, (in age order), Frederick, Miriam, Charles, Alice, Helena, Walter and Harold.

He worked as a book salesman before joining the Navy on 10 July 1914. He went on to server in numerous ships and establishments to include Victory II, Leviathan, Kent, Woodcock, Colombo, Dido, Tisgard, Malaya, Furious and Champion. He started as a Stoker 2nd Class and rose up through the ranks to become a Stoker Petty Officer in 1923 and a Chief Mechanician in December 1925. He ultimately saw service during both the First and Second World Wars and was awarded medals for each. He also had medals for long service and good conduct.

Harold was the husband of Ellen (known as "Nell") Homer, of Cosham, Hampshire. They were married in 1922. He was 47 years old at the time of his loss. His siblings remembered Harold with pride, but this was always tinged with deep sorrow, about the loss of their youngest brother.





History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
10th July 191412th January 1915Victory IIStoker 2nd ClassADM188/912
13th January 191530th June 1915LeviathanStoker 2nd ClassADM188/912
1st July 191522nd March 1918LeviathanStoker 1st ClassADM188/912
23rd March 191813th June 1918Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM188/912
14th June 191811th August 1918KentStoker 1st ClassADM188/912
12th August 191827th July 1919KentActing Leading StokerADM188/912
28th July 19197th September 1919WoodcockActing Leading StokerADM188/912
8th September 19198th September 1919ColumboActing Leading StokerADM188/912
9th September 191911th November 1919ColumboLeading StokerADM188/912
12th November 191917th February 1920Victory IILeading StokerADM188/912
18th February 19203rd February 1921Dido (Rosalind)Leading StokerADM188/912
4th February 19216th November 1921Victory IILeading StokerADM188/912
7th November 192116th February 1922FisgardLeading StokerADM188/912
17th February 19221st March 1922FisgardActing Stoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
2nd March 192220th September 1922Victory IIActing Stoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
21st September 192216th February 1923MalayaActing Stoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
17th February 192331st December 1923MalayaStoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
1st January 192419th December 1925Pembroke IIStoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
20th December 192531st December 1925Victory IIStoker Petty OfficerADM188/912
1st January 192631st March 1926Victory IIActing MechanicianADM188/912
1st April 19263rd April 1927FuriousActing MechanicianADM188/912
4th April 19273rd September 1928FuriousMechanicianADM188/912
4th September 19289th November 1928Victory IIMechanicianADM188/912
10th November 19289th July 1936ChampionMechanicianADM188/912
10th July 1936Re-engaged as Chief Mechanician (Pensioner)Chief MechanicianADM363/12
Unknown24th May 1941HoodChief Mechanician


Additional Photos



Harold in 1915




Harold in 1921




Harold & Nell's wedding, 1922




Harold & Nell in 1924





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)





Harold's name is in Column 3 of Panel 53.





Detail of Harold'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)
His great-niece, Carole Gladstone Wong (photos & information, April & May 2016)
Harold's great niece Diana Marinari and Jeremy Woodhead (family information) March 2021