-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.

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Thomas William Arnold

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Date of birth: 2nd March 1896
Place of birth: West Ham, Essex, England
Previous occupation: Messenger
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: J20475
Joined Hood: 28th August 1928 (Able Seaman)
Left Hood: 16th May 1929 (Able Seaman)







Biographical Information: Thomas William Arnold hailed from West Ham, in Essex, but despite this spent his naval career as a Devonport-based rating. He joined the Royal Navy on 23rd September 1912 as Boy 2nd Class, and signed on for twelve years' 'man's time' on his 18th birthday, 2nd March 1914, as the clouds of World War I were gathering. Later, in 1925, he signed on to complete a full 22 year career.

Having served in a series of drafts, ashore and afloat, Thomas joined HMS Hood as an Able Seaman (Gunner) in 1928, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal the following year, while still serving on board.

Thomas married Lillian in Wandsworth, London, in 1934 and was discharged to pension in 1936. He was not recalled to the colours during World War II.

In civilian life he became a messenger for HM Customs and Excise in his native London. He passed away in Wandsworth, London, early in 1961.


Additional Photographs
None at this time.


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)
Service Record: ADM363/91(Ancestry)
David Harding, biographical information October 2020.