-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.

Chainbar divider


Charles James Pickersgill

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Date of birth: 4th May 1919
Place of birth: Islington, London
Previous occupation: Waiter
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Ordinary Telegraphist
Service Number: X5012
Joined Hood: 1940
Left Hood: 1940







Biographical Information: Ordinary Telegraphist Charles James Pickersgill's service in Hood first came to light through a letter of thanks he wrote in 1940 to a certain Mrs Hobbs, a lady who had sent his mess (number 14) pillows and cushions. A copy of his letter is retained in the HMS Hood Association archive.

Charles was born in Islington, London, and brought up in nearby Shoreditch. Aged 14, he began training as a restaurant waiter and worked in the merchant marine as a steward on Cunard White Star Line.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and served in Hood from May until December 1940. He served in the RN throughout World War II, marrying Marjorie in 1943. Postwar, he worked as a radio and radar technician, and moved to Canada with his family in 1957. He deployed his radar technical skillls in a roving career in Canada, USA and Europe, notably on the Cold War Distant Early Warning radar system (DEW Line).

In retirement, he lived in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

In 2002 Charles sent the HMS Hood Association material relating to his friend and fellow telegraphist Jack Till (q.v.) who lost his life in Hood.

Charles died in Stratford on 24 July 2009.



Additional Photos



Charles and Marjorie Pickersgill marry, Glasgow 1943.



Memorials
No known memorials


Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
Personal letter. Invormation from son Alan Pickersgill May 2020. alan.is@alanpickersgill.ca