-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
Hugh Deane Wyldbore-Smith
Hugh was born on 15th February 1907 and entered the Royal Navy on 15th September 1920. He served aboard H.M.S. Barham from May 1924 to May 1926. He was promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant during a promotion course at H.M.S. President, Greenwich in May 1927.
He attended another promotion course (this time in Portsmouth) during the first half of 1928. From August 1928 to August 1929, he served in the destroyer H.M.S. Viscount. He was promoted to Lieutenant during this appointment (December 1928). Between December 1930 and February 1931, he attended the Signals Course, HM Signal School, H.M.S. Victory, Portsmouth.
From December 1931 to September 1932, he served as the Signals Officer for the submarine depot ship H.M.S. Medway. He returned to Signals School to participate in experimental endeavours from April 1934 to February 1936. March 1936 saw him appointed to the cruiser H.M.S. Norfolk. He also served as the Fleet Signals and W/T Officer, East Indies. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander in December 1936.
On 5th May 1937 he married Caroline Orlebar. Together they would have two sons, Piers and Nicholas.
Hugh left the Norfolk in June 1938. Between December 1938 and August 1939, he served as the Commanding Officer of the fishery protection trawler H.M.S. Doon. In August 1938 he was reappointed as the Flag-Lieutenant Commander and Squadron Signals & WT Officer to the RADM/VADM Commanding Aircraft Carriers aboard H.M.S. Ark Royal. He remained in this position until the summer of 1940 when he carried out the same duties aboard H.M.S. Illustrious.
He was reappointed to H.M.S. Hood in Spring 1941 as Hood's Signal Officer. He was 34 years old at the time of his loss.