H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Ordinary Signalman Henry David Ayres

In Remembrance of
HENRY DAVID AYRES

Photo of Ordinary Signalman Henry David Ayres, courtesy of his sister, Shirley Smart, Feb 2001

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Ordinary Signalman
Service Number: P/JX 216602
Date Joined Hood: Unknown
Biographical Information: Henry was the son of David and Mary Ayres. As a young man, he was educated at Upton Park Central School (associated to the Quaker Meeting House). His mother died in 1936 leaving his father with a family of four children.

Both Henry's father and his elder brother John had followed naval careers. Henry did likewise. He trained at H.M.S. Ganges and was posted to Hood sometime during the autumn of 1940. He was 18 years old at the time of his loss. He was postumously awarded the 1939-1945 Star, War Medal and Atlantic Star.

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Memorial Information
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 52, Column 1 (click to view panel)
Also memorialised at
Hood Chapel, Church of St John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire

Additional Photographs

Above- A newspaper clipping from the "Recorded" 12 June 1941 reporting Henry's death.

Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Henry's sister, Mrs Shirley Smart (photo & information, Feb-Mar 2001)