-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
Robert George Yates

Photo of
Date of birth: 1st March 1907
Place of birth: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Parents: George Robert and Alice Sarah Yates
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Boatswain
Service Number: J106232
Joined Hood: 7th October 1939
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Boatswain)
Click here to print memorial poster





Biographical Information:

Robert was born on 1st March 1907 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, the son of George Robert and Alice Sarah Yates. His father had served in the Royal Navy from 1894 to 1910 rising to be a Master at Arms at the end of his time. He returned to the service and served throughout World War I.

Robert entered the Navy as a Boy at H.M.S Ganges in 1922. He progressed steadily in the difficult years of the late 1020s and early 1930s. His service number at the time was J106232. He saw spells of training at H.M.S Excellent firstly as a Seaman gunner and later as a Turret Director Trainer. In 1936 Robert reached Warrant rank as a Boatswain. He joined Hood as her Boatswain and remained in her until she was lost.

Robert was 34 year old at the time of his loss.





History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
19th September 192217th March 1923GangesBoy 2nd ClassADM188/859
18th March 19238th January 1926GangesBoy 1st ClassADM188/859
7th March 192429th August 1924Iron DukeBoy 1st ClassADM188/859
30th August 192412th April 1925Iron DukeOrdinary SeamanADM188/859
13th April 192530th June 1926Iron DukeAble SeamanADM188/859
9th January 19266th March 1924BarhamBoy 1st ClassADM188/859
1st July 192625th October 1926ExcellentAble SeamanADM188/859
26th October 192617th October 1927Victory IAble SeamanADM188/859
18th October 192731st March 1930EffinghamAble SeamanADM188/859
1st April 193015th May 1930Victory I - IIIAble SeamanADM363/361
16th May 193028th October 1930ExcellentAble SeamanADM363/361
29th October 193021st November 1930ExcellentActing Leading SeamanADM363/361
22nd November 193012th December 1930Victory I - IActing Leading SeamanADM363/361
13th December 193012th July 1931ExcellentActing Leading SeamanADM363/361
13th July 193128th October 1931LondonActing Leading SeamanADM363/361
29th October 193131st March 1934LondonLeading SeamanADM363/361
1st April 19346th April 1934LondonActing Petty OfficerADM363/361
7th April 19342nd July 1934ExcellentActing Petty OfficerADM363/361
3rd July 19343rd January 1935Victory IActing Petty OfficerADM363/361
4th January 193530th April 1935NelsonActing Petty OfficerADM363/361
1st May 19353rd January 1936NelsonPetty OfficerADM363/361
4th January 193630th January 1936ExcellentPetty OfficerADM363/361
31st January 193621st February 1936Drake IPetty OfficerADM363/361
22nd February 193630th September 1936Victory IPetty OfficerADM363/361
1st October 19363rd January 1937Victory IBoatswainNavy Lists
4th January 193711th April 1939CherwellBoatswainNavy Lists
12th April 19396th October 1939HawkinsBoatswainNavy Lists
7th October 193924th May 1941HoodBoatswainNavy Lists


Additional Photos



A photo of Robert from early in his naval career





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)





Robert's name is in Column 3 of Panel 45.





Detail of Robert'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)
His son, Robert Yates (photos, November 2004)
The National Archives (ADM 188/859)