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

We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
Harry Watson, B.E.M.

Photo of
Date of birth: 27th October 1904
Place of birth: Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
Wife: Elsa Watson
Previous occupation: Errand Boy
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Chief Stoker
Service Number: J103868 then P/K 61055
Joined Hood: 31st August 1933 (Stoker Petty Officer)
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Chief Stoker)
Click here to print memorial poster




Biographical Information:

Harry was born on 27th October 1904 in Grantham, Lincolnshire. He was the husband of Elsa Watson, of Hull. He was 36 years old at the time of his loss. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for zeal and devotion to duty during a period. This included "his exceptional good work as Chief Stoker in charge of double bottoms and pumping and flooding parties. He is largely responsible for the high efficiency of this important part of the ship's organisation".





History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
30th August 192122nd April 1922ImpregnableBoy 2nd ClassADM188/854
23rd April 192215th September 1922Boy 1st ClassADM188/854
16th September 192226th October 1922Calliope (Weymouth)Boy 1st ClassADM188/854
27th October 19222nd November 1922Calliope (Weymouth)Ordinary SeamanADM188/854
3rd November 192230th November 1922Pembroke IOrdinary SeamanADM188/854
1st December 192227th February 1923Victory IOrdinary SeamanADM188/854
28th February 192330th August 1923Victory IIStoker 2nd ClassADM188/983
31st August 19235th October 1923Princess MargaretStoker 2nd ClassADM188/983
6th October 192323rd October 1923Victory IIStoker 2nd ClassADM188/983
24th October 192327th February 1924Iron DukeStoker 2nd ClassADM188/983
28th February 192430th June 1926Iron DukeStoker 1st ClassADM188/983
1st July 19261st September 1926Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM188/983
2nd September 192624th November 1926RenownStoker 1st ClassADM188/983
25th November 192614th December 1926RenownActing Leading StokerADM188/983
15th December 19263rd May 1927Victory IIActing Leading StokerADM188/983
4th May 19279th September 1927FisgardActing Leading StokerADM188/983
10th September 192730th September 1927Victory II (Sturdy, Tribune, Thistle)Acting Leading StokerADM188/983
1st October 19275th October 1927Victory II (Sturdy)Acting Leading StokerADM188/983
6th October 192724th November 1937Victory IIActing Leading StokerADM188/983
15th May 192831st July 1928DauntlessLeading StokerADM188/983
1st August 19284th October 1928Victory IILeading StokerADM188/983
5th October 192825th February 1930CaradocLeading StokerADM188/983
26th February 193030th June 1930Victory II - IVLeading StokerADM363/73
1st July 193031st October 1931FolkestoneLeading StokerADM363/73
1st November 19319th December 1931FoweyLeading StokerADM363/73
10th December 193115th July 1932Acting Stoker Petty OfficerLeading StokerADM363/73
16th July 19327th October 1932Victory IILeading StokerADM363/73
8th October 19329th December 1932Dryad (Caterham)Leading StokerADM363/73
10th December 193230th August 1933Dryad (Caterham)Stoker Petty OfficerADM363/73
31st August 193331st October 1934HoodStoker Petty OfficerADM363/73
1st November 193424th May 1941Chief StokerStoker Petty OfficerADM363/73
25th November 193714th May 1928Victory IILeading StokerADM188/983


Additional Photos









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)





Harry's name is in Column 3 of Panel 53.





Detail of Harry'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)
David Watson (photo, 2001)
The National Archives (ADM 188/983)