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

In Remembrance of
James Brown De Gernier

Date of birth: 19th January 1914
Place of birth: Dundee, Angus, Scotland
Parents: Christina De Gernier
Service: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: P/ESD/X 1470
Joined Hood: Late 1940
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Able Seaman)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

James was the son of Christina De Gernier, of Thorer Road, Dundee, Scotland. He apparently performed some Naval service in the mid 1930s and participated in Spanish Civil War duties aboard H.M.S. Boreas. After this, he worked at Angus Jute Mills. He also played football for St Clements.

James was called to duty again at the outbreak of the war. He joined Hood in late 1940 following the loss of the ship he was assigned to. He was 27 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)

James's name is in Column 3 of Panel 60.

Detail of James'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)
Mary Mochan (photo & information, February 2004)