-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking

In Remembrance of
Gerald Edward Coombes

Gerald was born on 9th November 1907 to Mr. and Mrs. S.J. Coombes, of Highfield Road, Petersfield, Hampshire. He attended the Petersfield Council School as a boy. He also served as an altar boy at St Laurence's Church, Petersfield. After completing school, he worked in the offices of The Hants and Sussex News.

Gerald joined the Marines at age 18. He was keen on sports reporting and journalism and was a frequent contributor to the Royal Marines magazine Globe and Laurel. He was very popular among his shipmates.

Gerald had two children, Michael and Maureen. He was 33 years old at the time of his loss.

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)





Gerald's name is in Column 2 of Panel 58.





Detail of Gerald's name.

---

Petersfield War Memorial, Petersfield, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial



A view of the Petersfield War Memorial which stands in High Street.





The first panel of World War 2 names lists Gerald along with
two more of Hood's marines who he would undoubtledly have known well:
Marine Henry Roy Crewsswell and
Marine Frederick John Hiscock

---