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

In Remembrance of
Thomas Norman Kemp Beard

Thomas was born on 16th May 1921 at Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Commander Charles Beard and Kathleen Beard, of Victoria, British Columbia. His father was a yacht broker. He had two sisters - one older and one younger.

Thomas attended Shawnigan Lake School, before entering the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Cadet on 25th August 1939. His training was initially at Stadacona and then, from 14th September 1939, at H.M.S. Britannia. He was rated Midshipman on 1st May 1940 and, the following day joined the cruiser H.M.S. Ajax for a three month period of training. His report from Ajax - see image below - shows that he received training on 0.5-inch guns and impressed the ship's officers with his mature attitude. What comes across most though it the shortage of time to address thoroughly all the training requirements of a young Midshipman.

Leaving Ajax on 26th July 1940 Thomas was assigned to barracks at H.M.S. Victory (Portsmouth) to await his first appointment. This came on 26th October 1940 as he was instructed to join H.M.S. Hood.

His father also served in the Second World War. He commanded an Armed Merchant Cruiser during the early part of the war.

Thomas was 20 years old at the time of his loss.

Additional Photos

The report on Thomas from his time in H.M.S. Ajax

A letter of condolence following Thomas's death.

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

Photos of the memorial

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