H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Boy 1st Class Robert Thompson

In Remembrance of
Robert Thompson

Photo of Boy 1st Class Robert Thompson, courtesy of his niece, Mrs J Jupp, 2001

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Boy 1st Class
Service Number: P/JX 188534
Date Joined Hood: May 1941
Biographical Information: "Bobby" as he was known, was born in February 1924, the youngest son of Mrs and the late Mr James Thompson, of 46 Lord Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. He was educated at Euston Road School, Morecambe.

Bobby joined the Navy before his 16th birthday, and after 12 months' training he was drafted to the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, where he arrived just in time to go through the blitz on the city. Bobby took his last long leave only two weeks before being drafted to Hood, and it was said that he 'spent a happy time at home'. Bobby joined Hood just a week before she left Scapa Flow on her final, fateful voyage to meet Bismarck.

He was 17 years old at the time of his loss.

If you have any additional details, please contact us.

Memorial Information
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 51, Column 3 (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
Bobby's niece, Mrs J. Jupp (photo, 2001)
"Morecambe & Heysham Visitor" (newspaper), 28 May 1941, via Ernest McCart (information, April 2004)