-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
Thomas Charles Wright

Photo of
Date of birth: 22nd April 1910
Place of birth: Wallingford, Berkshire, England
Parents: Thomas and Ellen Wright
Wife: Winifred Wright
Previous occupation: Errand Boy
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Leading Seaman
Service Number: P/JX 127748
Joined Hood: 8th September 1936 (Able Seaman)
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Leading Seaman)
Click here to print memorial poster



Biographical Information:

"Tom", as he was known, was born on 22nd April 1910 in Wallingford, Berkshire to Thomas and Ellen Wright. Tom attended Council Boys School in Wallingford. He was held in high esteem by his headmaster. At age 13 and a half, he was employed at Wallingford Brewery, where he was also held in high esteem.

Tom joined the Navy and was trained at H.M.S. Ganges. He eventually joined the crew of H.M.S. Hood. His job aboard Hood was as a Leading Torpedo Operator/electrician.

Tom was the husband of Winifred Wright, of Padworth, Berkshire. He and Winnie had one son, Michael. Tom was 31 years old at the time of his loss.





History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
19th August 192619th March 1927GangesBoy 2nd ClassADM362/20
20th March 19275th May 1927GangesBoy 1st ClassADM362/20
6th May 192720th April 1928Iron DukeBoy 1st ClassADM362/20
21st April 192821st April 1928NelsonBoy 1st ClassADM362/20
22nd April 192829th April 1929NelsonOrdinary SeamanADM362/20
30th April 19298th July 1929Victory II - IVOrdinary SeamanADM363/531
9th July 192921st October 1929Victory II - IV (Vesper)Ordinary SeamanADM363/531
22nd October 192929th November 1929Victory II - IV (Vesper)Able SeamanADM363/531
30th November 19294th September 1930Victory II - IV (Vimy)Able SeamanADM363/531
5th September 193014th October 1930Victory I - IIIAble SeamanADM363/531
15th October 193023rd November 1931Vernon (Vanoc)Able SeamanADM363/531
24th November 193113th July 1934RevengeAble SeamanADM363/531
14th July 193431st August 1934Victory IAble SeamanADM363/531
1st September 193422nd April 1935VernonAble SeamanADM363/531
23rd April 19353rd March 1936Victory II ([illegible])Able SeamanADM363/531
4th March 193614th April 1936Victory IAble SeamanADM363/531
15th April 19367th September 1936VernonAble SeamanADM363/531
8th September 19363rd November 1936HoodAble SeamanADM363/531
4th November 19363rd November 1937HoodActing Leading SeamanADM363/531
4th November 193724th May 1941HoodLeading SeamanADM363/531


Additional Photos



Tom's class at H.M.S. Ganges.




Tom's last letter to his mother, 11 May 1941



















Tom (third from the viewer's left) and shipmates




Thomas at some time between April 1931 and February 1935




Thomas during his time in H.M.S. Forester (April 1935 to March 1935 by which time he had qualified as a Seaman Torpedoman - badge on right arm).





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)





Thomas's name is in Column 1 of Panel 47.





Detail of Thomas'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)
Tom's widow, Winifred Hawkins (photo, 2001)
Tom's brother, George Wright (photos & information, March 2005)
Emma Robert (photos) via Facebook May 2021