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

In Remembrance of
Harry Robert Wilcockson

Date of birth: 29th October 1919
Place of birth: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wilcockson
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Service Number: P/KX 100454
Joined Hood: April 1940
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Stoker 1st Class)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

"Jimmy" as he was known, was born on 29th October 1919 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. He was the only son of Harry and Lily Wilcockson, of 10 Powell's Crescent, Ashby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. He attended school at the Doncaster Road and Frodingham schools. Upon leaving school, he worked with his father for the contracting company William Birch and Sons. Jimmy was known to be an excellent sportsman - he was an experienced boxer and boxed frequently in Scunthorpe, Leeds and Grimsby. He was also a member of the Co-op Cycling Club.

Jimmy joined the Navy in December 1939. Following naval training he joined his only ship, Hood. He was engaged to Cecelia Massey of Scunthorpe. He was 21 years old at the time of his loss.

Additional Photos

Jimmy as a boxer

Jimmy and his cousin

Harry and Lily Wilcockson

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 55.

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)
Cecelia Massey & her daughter, Helen Taylor (photo & information, December 2009)