-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.

Basil George Washington CMG DSO

It is an interesting appointment, notable for its brevity. Captain Washington had recently served in command of a battleship - HMS Royal Sovereign - so he would have been familiar with the responsibilities of commanding a seagoing capital ship. His role, then, was to supervise final measures and trials to prepare Hood for her new commission. Upon leaving Hood, Washington was promoted to Rear Admiral, the day before retirement from the Active List.

Later, in 1936, he was granted the rank of Vice Admiral.

On the outbreak of World War II Basil Washington joined the Royal Naval Reserve, but in the lower rank of Commodore. This enabled him to assume the role of convoy commodore, and it was in this role, as commodore of transatlantic convoy HX65, that he tragically lost his life in the sinking of the steamship Harpalyce in Scottish waters and just a day from its destination - Methil, in Fife, in August 1940, at the age of 63.

Additional Photos

Extract from unithistories.com. With acknowledgement.

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