-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
William Ralph Martin
Place of birth: Cheddleton, Staffordshire, England
Parents: John and Selina Martin
Service: Royal Marines
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: PO/X 1264
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information:
William was born on 19th July 1915. He was the third son of eight children born to John and Selina Martin, of the Sycamores, Hollow Lane, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire.
He attended Cheddleton Parish Church School and was a member of the Choir. He was also very popular and was a successful local athlete. He was a member of the Cheddleton Playing Fields football and cricket elevens. He worked at Messrs Brittains, Ltd paper mill before joining the Marines circa 1932.
William served in the Marines for approximately nine years. Four of those years were spent aboard H.M.S. Nelson. He was serving as a Sergeant (Temporary) and was 25 years old at the time of his loss.
Additional Photos |
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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)
William's name is in Column 2 of Panel 58.
Detail of William'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)
Allan Stretch (photo, January 2008)
CW Sheldon (information & photos, June 2009)
"The Leek Post and Times" June 1941