H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Petty Officer Telegraphist Kenneth Alfred Baker

In Remembrance of
KENNETH ALFRED BAKER

Photo of Petty Officer Telegraphist Kenneth Alfred Baker, courtesy of his daughter, Barbara Gould, Feb 2001

Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Petty Officer Telegraphist
Service Number: P/JX 147862
Date Joined Hood: Unknown
Biographical Information: Ken was the husband of Catherine Baker, of Waterlooville, Hampshire. He was the son of Kenneth and Eveline Baker. Ken's daughter, Barbara Gould, now lives in Spain and remembers her father as "a wonderful man and quite a character." Barbara says that Ken and Catherine had six children and that the family had a very strong naval tradition.

When Ken was lost with Hood, his eldest son, aged 16 and a half, was in training on the Isle of Man to enter the Royal Navy himself. Once he finished his training he joined the flag ship King George V which by chance had been the ship, along with H.M.S. Rodney which finally caught up with and sank Bismarck. Ken's second son joined the Fleet Air Arm and served in three aircrft carriers including Eagle and Bulwark. The youngest son was an Engineer officer on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Ken was 42 years old at the time of his loss.

If you have any additional details, please contact us.

Memorial Information
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 52, Column 2 (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 daughter, Barbara Gould (photos & information, February 2001)