-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Crew List

It is estimated that as many as 18,000 men served aboard the 'Mighty Hood' during the operational portion of her 21 year career. Unfortunately, there is no surviving official single listing of ALL men who served in her. Here you will find our attempt at creating such a listing. We are using the few, fragmentary crew lists known to exist, Navy Lists, various official reports, public records, and most importantly of all, inputs from the families of former crew.

James Albert Wood

James, a Londoner born in Bethnal Green, joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class at HMS Impregnable in December 1917, not long after his 16th birthday. He had his first sea time (and his first “big ship” time and his first “in theatre” time) when, just seven months in service, he was drafted to the battleship HMS Marlborough. Marlborough participated in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War in the Black Sea during James’ time onboard in 1919-20.

James Wood, as an Able Seaman, married his sweetheart Ada Florence Hammond in October 1923 while serving in HMS Hood. Shortly after, Hood departed on the round-the-world trip which became known as the “Empire Cruise” in 1923-4.

James was a crack shot, a multiple prize-winner who represented the Royal Navy and who competed in high-level competition at Bisley.

Following a range of drafts ashore and afloat, James’ last draft began in April 1940, when he was sent to the brand-new aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious not long before her commissioning into the Royal Navy.

James was discharged to pension on 26th October 1940, the day before his 40th birthday, having completed his 22 years’ “Man’s Time”.

The photo of James eating a pasty was donated by his family, who tell us that it was taken while he was serving in HMS Berwick on the China Station in 1933-4.