-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking
In Remembrance of
Aylmer Norman James Cranston
Place of birth: Odiham, Hampshire, England
Parents: James and Dorothy Cranston
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Service Number: P/KX 96050
Joined Hood: Unknown
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship)
Click here to print memorial poster
Biographical Information: Norman, as he was known to his family and friends, was the eldest of 12 children born to James and Dorothy Cranston, of Crondall, Hampshire. He was born in Ewshott Hampshire, on 20th June 1920. The family moved to Crondall in 1925. He attended Sunday School (confirmed in 1936) and was a member of the choir. He was also a Boy Scout.
He worked briefly in Rose's Pet Shop in Franham, Surrey before joining the Navy in 1939. He was trained at H.M.S. Victory and then assigned to Hood. He was 20 years old at the time of his loss.
Additional Photographs
None at this time.
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)
Aylmer's name is in Column 1 of Panel 55.
Detail of Aylmer'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)
His sister, Eileen Clements (photo, June 2001)
Gary Draper (information, April 2004)