H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Stoker 1st Class Aylmer Norman James Cranston

In Remembrance of
AYLMER NORMAN JAMES CRANSTON

Photo of Stoker 1st Class Aylmer Norman James Cranston, courtesy of his sister, Eileen Clements, 2001

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Service Number: P/KX 96050
Date Joined Hood: Sometime in 1939
Biographical Information: "Norman", as he was known to his family and friends, was the eldest of 12 children born to James and Dorothy Cranston, of Crondall, Hampshire. He was born in Ewshott Hampshire, on 20 June 1920. The family moved to Crondall in 1925. He attended Sunday School (confirmed in 1936) and was a member of the choir. He was also a Boy Scout.

He worked briefly in Rose's Pet Shop in Franham, Surrey before joining the Navy in 1939. He was trained at H.M.S. Victory and then assigned to Hood. He was 20 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 55, Column 1 (click to view panel)
Also memorialised at
Hood Chapel, Church of St John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire

Additional Photographs
None at this time.

Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
His sister, Eileen Clements (photo, June 2001)
Gary Draper (information, April 2004)