-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
Walter Harry Smith
Place of birth: Hackenthorpe, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
Parents: Luke and Mary Jane Smith
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Leading Seaman
Service Number: P/SSX 24094
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information:
Walter was born on 13th November 1920 in Hackenthorpe, which was then in the registration district of Chesterfield, Derbyshire but which is now part of Sheffield. He was the son of Luke Smith and his wife Mary Jane, nee Barker. He is known to have served in H.M.S. Wildfire at some point before joining the Hood. Although barely out of his teens, Walter was already serving as an Acting Leading Seaman (Ty) during Hood's final mission. He was 20 years old at the time of his loss.
Additional Photos |
 Walter (right) and shipmate LD Lee |
 Walter during his time in H.M.S. Wildfire |
Hackenthorpe War Memorial, Hackenthorpe, Yorkshire, England
Photos of the memorial
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)
Walter's name is in Column 1 of Panel 47.
Detail of Walter'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)
Steve Wiggett (photo, January 2006)
Dale Barker (photos & information, January 2010)
Glenn Barker (photo, December 2010)
Anne Martin (information July 2021)