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

In Remembrance of
Alexander Watson

Date of birth: 22nd November 1919
Place of birth: Cromarty, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland
Service: Royal Naval Reserve
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Service Number: P/X 19838 A
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

Alexander Watson was born on 22nd November 1919 in Cromarty, Ross-shire, Scotland.

Known as 'Sonny', he was the son of Mr and Mrs Watson of 36 Gordon's Lane, Cromarty. Alexander was described in the local newspaper as having been particularly well liked. That paper also said that he had been a sailor in the Orient Line before being mobilised for hostilities. He was 21 years old at the time of his loss.

At the time of Alexander's death, his elder brother, James, was serving in minesweepers. James' death in naval service in 1944 was recorded at that time.

Additional Photos

Cromarty War Memorial

The Second World War Panel on Cromarty War Memorial, containing Alexander's name.

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)

Alexander's name is in Column 2 of Panel 60.

Detail of Alexander'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)
Biographical information from https://www.rossandcromartyheritage.org per Graeme Stevenson, and photographs from thecromartyarchive.org April 2022.