-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Crew List

It is estimated that as many as 18,000 men served aboard the 'Mighty Hood' during the operational portion of her 21 year career. Unfortunately, there is no surviving official single listing of ALL men who served in her. Here you will find our attempt at creating such a listing. We are using the few, fragmentary crew lists known to exist, Navy Lists, various official reports, public records, and most importantly of all, inputs from the families of former crew.

Chainbar divider


Walter James Living

Photo of
Date of birth: 29th February 1920
Place of birth: Southampton, Hampshire, England
Previous occupation: Factory Hand
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: P/SSX 20522
Joined Hood: January 1938
Left Hood: January 1940







Biographical Information: Enlisted in April 1937 for a term of 12 years (which commenced on 28 Feb 1938).

Appointments:
H.M.S.Wildfire 13 Apr 1937 -- 1 Nov 1937
H.M.S.Dunedin 2 Nov 1937 -- 20 Jan 1938
H.M.S.Hood 21 Jan 1938 -- 10 Jan 1940
H.M.S.Victory 11 Jan 1940 -- 26 Jan 1940
H.M.S.Excellent 27 Jan 1940 -- 23 Mar 1940
H.M.S.Burlington 24 Mar 1940 -- 20 Jan 1941
H.M.S.Fairfax 21 Jan 1941 -- 21 Jul 1942
H.M.S.Victory 22 Jul 1942 -- 7 Aug 1942
H.M.S,Durban 8 Aug 1942 -- 30 Jun 1943
H.M.S.Assegai 1 Jul 1943 -- 6 Aug 1943
H.M.S.Hawkins 7 Aug 1943 -- 28 Feb 1944
H.M.S.Resource 29 Feb 1944 -- 23 Feb 1945
H.M.S.Golden Hind 24 Feb 1945 -- 4 Mar 1945
H.M.S.Shrapnel 5 Mar 1945 -- 24 Feb 1946
He was then released to shore in Class 'A' on 26th Feb 1946.

Ratings held.
Boy 2nd Class 13 Apr 1937 -- 24 Jun 1937
Boy 1st Class 25 Jun 1937 -- 27 Feb 1938
Ordinary Seaman 28 Feb 1938 -- 29 May 1939
Able Bodied Seaman 30 May 1939 -- 6 May 1941
Act Leading Seaman 7 May 1941 -- 18 Dec 1941
Act Petty Officer 19 Dec 1941 -- 18 Dec 1942
Petty Officer 19 Dec 1942 -- 24 Feb 1946

Character: Very Good.
Granted 1 Good Conduct Badge: 28th Feb 1941

Additional Photographs
None at this time.


Memorials
No known memorials


Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
Certificate of service, courtesy of Brian Living