Bernard Wootton

Bernard enlisted in the Royal Navy during the summer of 1940 (NEP 1/12/1941) and his civilian occupation fitted him to be trained as a wireman.

HMS Fox

HMS Fox (shore establishment) was the Navy's base at Lerwick, Shetland between 1939 and 1945. HMS Fox II was the Coastal Forces Base at Lerwick between 1942 and 1944.

Bernard died on active service on 24 November 1941 and was buried in New Lerwick Cemetery (grave ref. Terrace 11 Grave 6). The Cemetery has 42 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 74 of the Second World War including two unidentified RN and one unidentified Merchant Navy seaman. There are also three Norwegian war burials. (www.cwgc.org)

Two other Naval personnel from HMS Fox died the same day and were also buried in Lerwick New Cemetery: Ty/Lieutenant Allan F Laurenson RNVR, from Lerwick, Shetland (CWGC 4033710) buried Terrace 11 Grave 16, and  P/MX 78531 Leading Wireman Walter McInnesMCINNES (CWGC 4033717) buried Terrace 11 Grave 5. (See 'Extra information')

Extract: 'HMS Fox [Naval shore base] was situated next to the cemetery, and to the east of the top of Gressy Loan. Sometimes referred to as ‘Knab Camp. HMS Fox served as a base for Motor Torpedo Boats.' (knab.shetland.gov.uk/wartime-knab)

CWGC Additional information: Son of William and Annie Wootton, of Nottingham, husband of Winifred Wootton, of Aspley, Nottingham.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'The supreme sacrifice'

Nottingham Evening Post, 1 December 1941 (photograph): ‘News has been received that Leading Wireman Bernard Wootton RN has been killed on war service. Wootton was a married man with two children, and his home was at 83 Allendale-avenue, Aspley. He was 35 years of age. Before joining the Navy about 18 months ago, he was on the staff of the Nottingham Electricity Department [Nottingham Corporation Electricity Department].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 1 December 1941: ‘Wootton. Bernard, RN., killed on active service, November, loving husband of Winnie and dear daddy of Iris and Marion, of 83 Allendale-avenue, Aspley.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

See photograph. Branch badges, additional information: 'A badge consisting of the letter: 'L' has been used to accompany a number of non-substantive badges. When worn with a pair of diagonally crossed torpedoes, it was used to denote: Leading Wireman 1940 - 1943; Petty Officer Wireman 1942 - 1943; Leading Wireman (L) 1943 - 1946; Petty Officer Wireman (L) 1943 - 1946. When worn with an horizontal torpedo, it was used to denote: Wireman 1940 - 1943; Wireman (L) 1943 - 1946.' (www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30066453 )

Shetland News, 5 December 1941. A detailed report of a Naval funeral: ‘Naval Funeral At Lerwick. A Deeply Impressive Service. Friday forenoon of last week provided one of the most impressive and touching naval funerals ever witnessed in the town. The occasion was the burial of Lieut Allan F Laurenson, RNVR, whose tragic death was reported in our last issue, and that of two other naval ratings, who also lost their lives while on active service … A firing party of Highland soldiers took up position beside the three graves and during short intervals between the three volleys the pipers played a lament. Three buglers then sounded ‘The Last Post’ and when the firing party presented arms they sounded ‘Reveille.’ Thereafter the firing squad and the units of the three services marched past the three open graves with ‘eyes left’ and the officers present individually stopped and saluted each grave in turn … The officer and the two men were buried in the same row in ground reserved for the Navy in the new cemetery. The Other Men Who Were Killed. The two other naval ratings who had lost their lives on active service were Ldg Wm Walter McInnes and Bernard Wootton. Wootton, who belonged to Nottingham, was 35 years of age and he leaves a widow and two girls, aged 8 and 9 years respectively. In civilian life he was an electrician. He was also an accomplished amateur boxer, and had taken part in 27 contests. He was in a ship sunk by enemy action, and he swam a long distance with a man on his back, thereby saving his life. McInnes was only 21 years of age, and belonged to Hamilton, where his father and mother reside. He, also, was an electrician in civilian life. An unmarried man (sic), he came to Shetland only last May. Both ratings were well known to many people, and sincere regret was felt at their sudden death.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Shetland News, 11 December 1941: ‘In Aid of Relatives of Deceased Naval Ratings. Members of the naval base at Lerwick and of the general public contributed very generously to an appeal which was made last week on behalf of the relatives of the two naval ratings who lost their lives recently while on active service near the town. Both men, Bernard Wootton, Nottingham, and Walter McInnes, Hamilton, were married. The former leaving a wife and two children and the latter a wife and one child … The combined proceeds of the collection and dance amounted to the highly gratifying total of £88 which will be divided between the two bereaved families.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Additional information RF (Sept. 2025)