Frederick Clifford Mirfin
Place of birth: Sheffield, Ecclesall, Yorkshire, England
Wife: Rose
Previous occupation: Pipe Fitter
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Petty Officer Cook
Service Number: MX.48193
Biographical Information: Frederick Clifford Mirfin went by his middle name, Clifford. He was the son of Frederick Charles Mirfin, edge tool hardener, and Martha Higginbottom, and the family lived in the Ecclesall district of Sheffield, Yorkshire (not to be confused with Eccleshall, Staffordshire.) On leaving school, Clifford followed his father into the engineering trade - as a pipe fitter in his case. Joining the Royal Navy in 1930 on a 12 year engagement, he opted for a change of professional discipline, signing on as a Cook. He later signed on to complete a full career.
Hood was not Clifford's first capital ship: in his early years in service he also served in the Queen Elizabeth class battleship HMS Revenge. Clifford joined Hood in early 1935 as a Leading Cook, and was advanced to Petty Officer Cook whilst on board. During his Hood time he also got married to Millicent Rose Dommett on 10 Feb 1936; they did not have children. Clifford was drafted off Hood in September 1940, just eight months before her demise, and so he knew many of those who lost their lives in the sinking.
On leaving the Royal Navy as a Chief Petty Officer on 2 March 1953, Clifford worked in Portsmouth Dockyard, and remained in the Portsmouth area, living first at Portchester and then at Clanfield, where he died on 15 Nov 1996.
Additional Photos |
 Clifford and his wife, Rose. |
 Christmas Day menus in Hood, 1937. |
 Clifford later in his career, as a Chief Petty Officer in tropical 'rig'. |
 Clifford (second from left, back row) at a Reunion of the HMS Hood Association. |
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)
Mr Paul Watson, nephew, photos and information February 2022.