H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information

In Remembrance of
William Peacock

Date of birth: 14th May 1921
Place of birth: Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
Parents: William and Adeline Peacock
Previous occupation: Lorry Driver's Mate
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker 2nd Class
Service Number: P/KX 115012
Joined Hood: 27th December 1940 (Stoker 2nd Class)
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Stoker 2nd Class)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

"Bill", as he was known, was born on 14th May 1921 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales to William and Adeline Peacock. The family later lived in Hounslow, Middlesex.

Bill, who had worked as a Lorry Driver's Mate before joining the Navy, entered the service as a Stoker 2nd Class on 16th September 1940. His inital training took place at H.M.S. Royal Arthur (Skegness). He was then in barracks at Portsmouth - H.M.S. Victory until being drafted to . He joined the ship at Scapa Flow in late December 1940.

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

History of ships served in and ratings held:

Date From	Date to	Ship	Rating	Source
16th September 1940	22nd October 1940	Royal Arthur	Stoker 2nd Class	ADM363
23rd October 1940	26th December 1940	Victory II	Stoker 2nd Class	ADM363
27th December 1940	24th May 1941	Hood	Stoker 2nd Class	ADM363

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)

William's name is in Column 2 of Panel 56.

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)
Gillian Crouch (Photo, November 2010)
Bill Cowap - Bill's nephew (service record, December 2020)