-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
John Bruce McLaren
Place of birth: Durban, South Africa
Parents: Dr John and Gladys Ella McLaren.
Service: Royal Naval Reserve
Rank: Midshipman
Joined Hood: 29th April 1941
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Temporary Probationary Midshipman R.N.R.)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information:
John was born in Durban, South Africa on 1st April 1922 to Dr John and Gladys Ella McLaren. He had one younger sister, Molly.
He attended Durban Preparatory High School and joined the South African Navy as a Cadet in 1936-1938 where he served on the training ship S.A.T.S. General Botha. In 1938 he served on the tanker Donax.
In November 1940 he enlisted with the Royal Navy Reserve and subsequently attended training at H.M.S. King Alfred at Hove for four months. His first and only posting was aboard H.M.S. Hood. He was 19 years old at the time of his loss.
Additional Photographs
None at this time.
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)
John's name is in Column 1 of Panel 60.
Detail of John'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)
Margaret Fick (photo & information, April 2012)