- Contributed by听
- Frank Mee Researcher 241911
- People in story:听
- Frank Holland
- Location of story:听
- The North Atlantic
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A1306829
- Contributed on:听
- 26 September 2003
We had walked over the Old Mill path to Billingham - Mum, my sister Sylvia and myself. We were going to Aunt Annie's for tea. They lived in a new house on Wolverston Road, a pleasant walk from our house in Mill Lane just off Norton Green.
We were about to sit down to tea with Uncle Frank, Aunt Annie and the twins (girls), when there was a commotion in the passage. My cousin Frank had come home on embarkation leave, looking very smart in his navy uniform. He dropped his kit, hugged Aunt Annie and said, 'You can stop worrying, I have been posted as crew on a battleship.'
I asked which one and he said, 'The Hood.' The biggest and the best, or so we all thought. Aunt Annie started to cry with relief, saying, 'Thank God, you will be safe.' Uncle Frank was obviously proud and I was jealous that he was old enough to go to war and I was still too young at 12. We had a jolly tea and Frank told me about the Hood - he was very excited about it all.
Frank came to us for his tea before going back and he looked at my large selection of Dinky toy ships, among them the Hood, complete with turrets that turned and correct in all details (I wish I still had them, they would be worth a fortune now). He then went back and we went on with our everyday lives.
The Hood was sunk on 24 May 1941 in a battle with the German battleships Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen, with the loss of the whole crew but three. That included our Frank Holland and Vice-Admiral LEC Holland (no relation).
It was later discovered that the Director of Naval Construction had said the Hood was not fit to fight a battle as her deck armour was too thin by modern practice, and she was at risk from falling shot. Prophetic words that were not taken note of at the time.
We as a family were suddenly touched by the real war. To me as a boy, what had been fun and a good fireworks show when the German planes were coming over suddenly went sour. When it hits home like that you grow up, although I was still hoping it would not end before I could get into the war. How foolish we are when young.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Story with photo