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

We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
Victor Robert Francis

Photo of
Date of birth: 2nd November 1902
Place of birth: Attleborough, Norfolk, England
Parents: Charles and Ellen Francis
Wife: Helen Francis
Previous occupation: Labourer
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Leading Stoker
Service Number: P/K 59651
Joined Hood First time: 31st August 1933 (Stoker 1st Class)
Left Hood First time: 3rd May 1935 (Acting Leading Stoker)
Joined Hood Second time: 7th September 1936 (Leading Stoker)
Left Hood Second time: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Leading Stoker)
Click here to print memorial poster

Biographical Information:

Victor was born on 2nd November 1902 in Attleborough, Norfolk to Charles and Ellen Francis. He was one of 11 children.

He was the husband of Helen Francis, of Burnham Norton, Norfolk. Together they had one son, Edward (known as Teddy). He is known to have served in H.M.S. Witch at some point before joinnig the crew of Hood. He was 38 years old at the time of his loss.





History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
1st March 192118th November 1921VictoryStoker 2nd ClassADM188/980
19th November 192116th March 1922HollyhockStoker 2nd ClassADM188/980
17th March 19228th February 1924HollyhockStoker 1st ClassADM188/980
9th February 19243rd October 1924Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM188/980
4th October 192416th January 1925Dido ([Illegible])Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
17th January 192531st March 1925Dido (Turquoise)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st April 192530th June 1925Dido (Torbay)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st July 192530th September 1925Dido (Sturdy)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st October 192531st December 1925Dido (Toreador)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st January 192631st January 1926Dido (Turquoise)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st February 192631st March 1926Victory II (Turquoise)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st April 19267th April 1926Victory II (Torbay)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
8th April 192626th April 1926Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM188/980
27th April 192630th June 1928Egmont II (Witch)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
1st July 192816th September 1928Victory II (Witch)Stoker 1st ClassADM188/980
17th September 19284th March 1930Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM188/980
5th March 19307th May 1930Marshal SoultStoker 1st ClassADM363/69
8th May 193010th July 1930Pembroke II - V (Coventry)Stoker 1st ClassADM363/69
11th July 19305th August 1930Constance (Coventry)Stoker 1st ClassADM363/69
6th August 193026th May 1932CoventryStoker 1st ClassADM363/69
27th May 193230th June 1932Pembroke II ([illegible])Stoker 1st ClassADM363/69
1st July 193230th August 1932Victory IIStoker 1st ClassADM363/69
31st August 193230th August 1933ExcellentStoker 1st ClassADM363/69
31st August 193328th February 1935HoodStoker 1st ClassADM363/69
1st March 19353rd May 1935HoodActing Leading StokerADM363/69
4th May 19359th October 1935Victory IIActing Leading StokerADM363/69
10th October 193529th February 1936CuracoaActing Leading StokerADM363/69
1st March 19366th September 1936CuracoaLeading StokerADM363/69
7th September 193624th May 1941HoodLeading StokerADM363/69

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)





Victor's name is in Column 2 of Panel 54.





Detail of Victor'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)
Carl Francis (photo and information, April 2013)