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

In Remembrance of
Matthew Metcalf

"Mattie" as he was known, was born on 12th November 1919 in Sunderland, County Durham. He was the first of three children born to Matthew and Elizabeth Metcalf. He had two sisters, Lillian (born 1923) and Lorraine (born 1932). The family lived in Boldon Colliery.

Mattie appears to have spent time in Gordon Boys Home prior to joining the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in May 1936. The following is a reconstructed service history for Mattie, based upon his best friend Jimmy Arthur's service record.

H.M.S. Ganges (6th May 1936 - 26th April 1937). Promoted to Boy 1st Class in Oct 1936.

18/10/1936 H.M.S. Ganges Boy 1 until 26/04/1937

H.M.S. Ramilles (27th April-30th August 1937)

H.M.S. Iron Duke (31st August - 10th September 1937)

H.M.S. London (11th Sept 1937 - 15th March 1939. Promoted to Ordinary Seaman in November 1937 and Able Seaman in November 1938.

H.M.S. Victory (17th March - 28th March 1939)

HMS Excellent, Whale Island (1st April - 28th June 1939). Mattie qualified as a QR3 gunnery rating.

H.M.S. Victory (29th June - 1st August 1939)

H.M.S. Dunedin (August 1939 - ?)

H.M.S. Hood (final ship).

He was 21 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

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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)





Matthew's name is in Column 3 of Panel 46.





Detail of Matthew's name.

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