-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Crew List

It is estimated that as many as 18,000 men served aboard the 'Mighty Hood' during the operational portion of her 21 year career. Unfortunately, there is no surviving official single listing of ALL men who served in her. Here you will find our attempt at creating such a listing. We are using the few, fragmentary crew lists known to exist, Navy Lists, various official reports, public records, and most importantly of all, inputs from the families of former crew.

Hugh McManus

In July 1926, at the age of 17, as he began a civilian career in the engineering industry, Hugh joined the RNVR (Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve). Later, having completed his apprenticeship, he qualified as a journeyman sheet metal worker.

Hugh's RNVR liability was to serve a certain number of weeks per year with RN colleagues. His second deployment, from January to April 1928, was in HMS Hood as an Ordinary Seaman. Despite his engineering background in civilian life, Hugh served the earlier part of his RNVR time - including his HMS Hood time - as a Seaman, not a Stoker. Later, in 1940, when working full time in the Naval Service during the Second World War, he capitalised on his civilian engineering background and transferred to be an Engine Room Artificer, a member of Artificer cadre of RN skilled engineers.

Hugh faced up to great danger in World War II. He had two ships sunk from under him, in less than two weeks, during the Norwegian campaign in 1940: the cruiser H.M.S.Effingham on 18th May 1940 and the troopship S.S. Mashobra on the 29th of that same month. Hugh was fortunate to survive both sinkings, but had to swim for his life.

After WWII he was demobbed in 1946. He returned to Reserve service and gained employment as a custodian for schools in Pollok, Glasgow. He had the distinction of being in the Guard of Honour during Her Majesty the Queen's Coronation in 1953. It was an honour he cherished.

Hugh trained and served in over twenty of her Majesty's ships and submarines. He retired, with distinction, in 1963, as one of the longest-serving reservists, with 37 years' service.

Hugh was a devoted family man. In 1931 he married his sweetheart, Mary Quinn. In September 1936 their daughter Anne was born. In 1957 Anne emigrated to Canada to marry her sweetheart John. After that, Hugh was a frequent visitor to Canada to visit his daughter and his two grandchildren. Sadly, Hugh's wife passed away in January 1963. In 1965, Hugh remarried, to his second wife, Marion. After retirement, Hugh moved to a small village, Leadhills, in South Lanarkshire, where he lived out his days.

Hugh was a lively fellow, enjoyed his nightly nip at the pub and always had a tale or story from his service with the RNVR - stories which have now been passed on, with his naval memorabilia, to his great-grandchildren.

Hugh passed away on 27th July 1984, and is sadly missed by his family.

Additional Photos

A formal, posed studio shot of youthful Hugh proudly wearing his naval uniform.

Hugh is still young, but this group photo shows him (centre) onboard ship with his comrades.

Hugh McManus in the uniform of a Petty Officer. He is also wearing a PO's uniform in the photo at top left, but this time he is dressed in white 'tropical' rig.

Now wearing the sleeve buttons of a Chief Petty Officer, Hugh gives a ship tour to an attentive female audience: his wife, Mary (seated, pointing) his daughter Anne Theresa (second left) and her school friends. The photo dates from 1953.

Sword in hand, Hugh 'drives' a mixed platoon of senior and junior ratings at a march past.

A newspaper article announces Hugh's retirement from naval service, and summarises his impressive career.

Hugh, retired and relaxing.

Hugh late in life.

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