-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
Robert Elliott Collinson
Place of birth: Ismailia, Egypt
Parents: George and Daisy Collinson
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Boy 1st Class
Service Number: P/JX 181937
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information:
Robert was born 18th November 1924 in Ismalia, where his father was stationed in the RAF. He was the son of George and Daisy Collinson, of Weston Turville, Buckinghamshire. Robert and his two brothers were educated at the school near RAF Halton. Despite the RAF family background, Robert and his two brothers, Bill and Barry, all formed a strong attachment to the Senior Service, and joined the naval cadet force.
On joining the Royal Navy, Robert trained at TS Arethusa. Hood was his only seagoing draft. He was just 16 years and six months old at the time of his loss - the second youngest person lost in the sinking of Hood.
Poignantly, one memento of Robert survives, and is treasured by family members in Australia: a small wooden table which Robert made just a few years before his loss. Pictures of the table are below.Additional Photos |
 A treasured family photograph of Robert. |
 A photo of Robert on Coombe Hill, taken during his last leave shortly before being posted to Hood |
 The table Robert made |
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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 51.
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)
Robert's cousin, Gladys Martin (photo, 2001)
Mrs Kathy Read, Robert's niece, photos and information April 2023.