H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Stoker Petty Officer Joshua Cantrill

In Remembrance of
JOSHUA CANTRILL

Photo of Stoker Petty Officer Joshua Cantrill, courtesy of Dave Taylor, May 2006

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker Petty Officer
Service Number: P/K 19095
Date Joined Hood: 3 June 1940
Biographical Information: Joshua was born on 30 March 1894 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire to parents Joshua and Sarah Cantrill (nee Needham). His mother died in childbirth in 1905. His father, a coal miner by trade, re-married to Mary Ann Jelley. Joshua had six brothers and sisters.

Prior to joining the Navy in May 1913, Joshua had followed his father into the coal industry, working on the surface at Rubberson pit bank. After joining the Navy he was trained as a Stoker and served until October 1938. He was recalled to service in September 1939 after the outbreak of the Second World War, and joined his final ship, Hood, in June 1940.

Joshua was the husband of Kate Cantrill, of Stoneferry, Hull. They were married on 23 January 1919. Family memory tells that Kate learned of the fate of her husband when she was out shopping in Stoneferry and saw a Hull Daily Mail advertising board saying “HOOD LOST WITH ALL HANDS”. The story tells that she collapsed in the street with shock and never fully recovered from it.

Joshua was 47 years old at the time of his loss. We have no additional information.

If you have any additional details, please contact us.

Memorial Information
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 54, Column 1 (click to view panel)
Also memorialised at
Hood Chapel, Church of St John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire

Additional Photographs
Photo of Stoker Petty Officer Joshua Cantrill, courtesy of Dave Taylor, May 2006

Above- Uncropped portrait of Joshua and his son Stanley in December 1939
Below- Joshua as a young sailor early in his Navy career
Photo of young Joshua Cantrill, courtesy of his grandson Steve Cantrill-Brown, October 2007

Photo of young Joshua Cantrill, courtesy of his grandson Steve Cantrill-Brown, October 2007

Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Mrs R. Hepton (photo, 2001)
Dave Taylor (photo & information, May 2006 and November 2017)
His grandson Steve Cantrill-Brown (photo, Oct 2007)
Stephen Jenner (information, April 2013)
The National Archives (ADM 188/905)