H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information

In Remembrance of
Eric Alger

Date of birth: 18th March 1914
Place of birth: Eccles, Lancashire, England
Parents: Alexander & Emma Alger
Wife: Mary Alger
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Service Number: P/JX 223041
Joined Hood: about January 1941
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Ordinary Seaman)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

Eric was born on 18 March 1914 in Eccles, Lancashire, to Alexander and Emma Alger. He was educated at Lewis Street and Green Lane Council Schools in Eccles. He was employed with the Eccles and District Co-operative Society as a grocery assistant at Peel Green, which included working in the Society's travelling shop. He also served in the Eccles AFS.

Eric was a member of the Patricroft Congregational Church and had been a member of its Boys' Brigade. Eric married Mary Espley in that church on 23rd December 1939. They lived at 22 Crawford Street, Monton.

Eric joined the Navy in October 1940. He was posted to Hood in early 1941. He was 27 years old at the time of his loss.

Additional Photos

Eric and Mary Alger on their wedding day.

Eric and Mary Alger

Eric, a married man, joins the Royal Navy.

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)

Eric's name is in Column 1 of Panel 50.

Detail of Eric'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)
Elaine Archer (photo & information, Nov 2018)
Andrew Lindley and Christine Rickarby (son and daughter of Eric's wife Mary by her second husband) photos and information January 2022.