James John Harry Softley
Place of birth: Buckland, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Previous occupation: Brewers Drayman
Service: Royal Marines
Rank: Marine
Service Number: 216524
Joined Hood: 3rd February 1937
Left Hood: 3rd January 1939
Biographical Information: James joined the Royal Marines as a Private in 1918 when he was 17 years old. He served in a number of establishments and ships to include (but not limited to) Benbow, Emperor of India, Malaya, Portsmouth, Resource, Barham and of course Hood. His primary vocation was as a Gunner. He served on HMS Hood from 3rd February 1937 to 3rd January 1939. He finished his served as a Gunner in October 1945. He died on 24 November 1988.
Additional Photographs
None at this time.
Memorials
No known memorials
No known memorials
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
Gordon McCulloch, e-mail 22 Sep 2003
Sylvia Maddock, James' grandaughter, April 2009.