H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Able Seaman Francis William Wheeler

In Remembrance of
Francis William Wheeler

Photo of Able Seaman Francis William Wheeler, courtesy of Margeret Stockwell, April 2008

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: P/JX 146724
Date Joined Hood: Unknown
Biographical Information: Frank as he was known, was born on 13 August 1920 in Redhill, Surrey. He was the second of five children born to William and Frances Wheeler of Lowlands Farm, Newchapel, Lingfield, Surrey. His mother died when he was young (1929). He father remarried and had seven additional children.

Frank was trained at H.M.S. Ganges and was known to be a bugler. His brother James was also lost in naval service. Frank 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 49, Column 3 (click to view panel)
Also memorialised at
Hood Chapel, Church of St John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire

Additional Photographs
Frank Wheeler and a Marine at Malta, 26 Dec 1939

Above- Frank and an unidentified Marine Bugler at Malta on 26 December 1939

Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
His sister, Margeret and nephew, Kevin Stockwell (photos and information, April 2008)
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ