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

In Remembrance of
Archibald Henry Surrey

'Archie' Surrey, the second son of C.P.O. William Richard Surrey and Mrs Ellen Surrey, was born in Brighton on 30th November 1907. He attended Middle Street Boys' School, Brighton from April 1916 until December 1922. He then studied shorthand and typing at the Gregg School where he was most successful in gaining 2nd place in the Royal Society of Arts National Examination in July 1925 attaining a speed of 140 words per minute in shorthand.

He was employed as a general clerk to Van Der EB Limited, ship and insurance brokers of Fenchurch Street, London, from 7th Sept. 1925 until 9th Feb 1927. On the advice of his father who had served in the Royal Navy for 37 years, he took the Writers' examination at Portsmouth barracks in March 1927 and joined the Royal Navy as a Writer in June 1927. He was regarded as one of the best qualified shorthand typists in the Royal Navy and was detailed for special duties as a member of Vice Admiral Whitworth's clerical staff. In 1928 he was sent to Gibraltar to cover the Court Martial inquiry regarding the 'Royal Oak Incident'.

Archie served in H.M.S. London during its 1st Commission with the Mediterranean Fleet in the period 1929-1931. He continued to serve in H.M.S.London until 1933.

He was married in 1935 to Dorothy Izzard of Shoreham and in June 1936 they had twin boys Richard and Douglas. At this time, Archie's reputation as one of the best shorthand experts in the Royal Navy led to his being drafted to the staff of the Admiral Commanding Reserves (ACR). Whilst his draft appeared to be to the elderly vessel H.M.S. President, moored on the Thames, his family recalls that he worked in the Admiralty rather than in President itself. H.M.S. President was the 'accounting base' for uniformed personnel working in the Admiralty.

Archie's talents were not confined to his shorthand and clerical skills: he also wrote short stories. Here is one of them, entitled 'A Debt of Hate.'

Click here to access that short story by Archie.

At the outbreak of war, Archie was engaged at the Admiralty and was involved in the inquiry into the loss of the submarine H.M.S. Thetis. He served in H.M.S. Renown and was in Renown when it had the encounter with Scharnhorst near Narvik in 1940.

In August 2021 the MoD awarded him the Arctic Star, which he had earned thanks to his time in Renown when, in April 1940, it was involved in mine-laying operations off Bodo in Norway.

In addition to receiving numerous letters of appreciation for his professionalism and dedication from high ranking officials he was also mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette in March 1941. Archie was was 33 years old at the time of his loss in May 1941.

In 2001 his sister Mrs Adelaide Jeffs left the Hood Association 5,000 pounds in memory of Archie.

Additional Photos

Young Archie with his family. Back row, Archie, Billy, Monty. Front row: father William, sister Adelaide, mother Ellen.

Well equipped for the Writers' examination - the youthful Archie's civilian qualifications.

Archie Surrey learns that he has passed the examination to join the Royal Navy as a Writer.

A commendation which shows Writer Surrey making his mark, early, at the Royal Oak court martial in 1928. He had been in the RN barely ten months.

A newspaper illustration of the Royal Oak court martial at which Archie played a vital role.

Writer Surrey's meticulous work receives further praise from senior officers.

Further praise for Archie's work. It is now 1932 and he is already a Leading Writer.

Archie and Dorothy married in 1935, when he was a Petty Officer.

Now wearing the sleeve buttons of a Chief Petty Officer, Archie with his twin sons Dick (left) and Doug. Doug is a prominent member of HMS Hood Association.

C.P.O. Archibald Henry Surrey's medal award letter, dated some six weeks after his death.

The Surrey family's memento of Archie. The number of medals has swelled to four with the award, in 2021, of the Arctic Star.

Archie Surrey's medals. The Arctic Star, belatedly awarded as it was to all recipients, is second from right, and bears the crest of HMS Renown on the ribbon.

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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)





Archibald's name is in Column 2 of Panel 57.





Detail of Archibald's name.

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