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

In Remembrance of
William MacFarlane Crawford

William was known as Junior to his family, but as Bill to his friends. He was born on 13th July 1923 in Coatsbridge, Lanarkshire to William and Elspeth Crawford. The family lived in Edinburgh. After attending Boroughmuir school, Bill entered the Royal Navy. He trained at H.M.S. Caledonia in Rosyth and was later posted to H.M.S. Belfast. He was aboard Belfast when she captured the German merchant vessel SS Cap Norte in October 1939.

In November 1939, Belfast was seriously damaged by a magnetic mine. Bill, along with a number of other shipmates was transferred to Hood shortly thereafter. He served aboard her until her loss. He was unhappy with life in Hood, but did his duty. At the time of the sinking he was serving as a Boy 2nd Class and was later upgraded posthumously to Boy 1st Class. He was 17 years old at the time of his loss.

Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial

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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)





William's name is in Column 3 of Panel 51.





Detail of William's name.

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