-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 William Cassell

Photo of
Date of birth: 7th August 1906
Place of birth: Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England
Previous occupation: Labourer
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Acting Stoker Petty Officer
Service Number: K65055
Joined Hood: 31st August 1933 (Acting Leading Stoker)
Left Hood: 28th August 1936 (Acting Stoker Petty Officer)







Biographical Information: Charles William Cassell, a native of the Isle of Wight, joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class at the relatively late age of 18, having worked as a labourer before enlisting. Naturally, he was assigned to the Portsmouth Division, near his native Island. He quickly showed an aptitude for his new profession, securing advancement to Stoker First Class in July 1925, only ten months after his enlistment. He married Florence Scull, of Dauntsey, Wiltshire and they had three children together between 1933 and 1945.

Charles joined HMS Hood in August 1933 as an Acting Leading Stoker, and remained onboard for almost exactly three years. His success continued during his Hood time: not only was he confirmed in his Leading Stoker rate while on board, but while in Hood he also, subsequently, secured advancement to Acting Stoker Petty Officer.

Charles Cassell was promoted to Chief Stoker later in his naval career, on 7th December 1941, the very day on which the USA entered World War II.

After leaving the Royal Navy, Charles is believed to have worked for Lord Mottistone, back in his native Isle of Wight. In later life, Charles was a member of the HMS Hood Association in its early days.



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)
ADM 363 Royal Navy Record Card