14 Tales From The History Of Doctor Who From William Hartnell To Jodie Whittaker
12. A Very Funny Man Before Doctor Who, And Also Very Lucky
Like both of his predecessors, Jon Pertwee found service during the Second World War. He had been an officer in the Royal Navy, working in Naval Intelligence during the War. He had been an officer aboard the HMS Hood.
In May 1941, the Hood and the Prince of Wales were dispatched to intercept the German battleship Bismark and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. On 24th May 1941, the Battle of the Denmark Strait took place. Very early in the battle, the Hood was struck by German shells. It was the conclusion of several review boards that these shells struck the aft magazine had exploded after being penetrated by German shells.
The Hood sank quickly and all but three crew members were lost.
Pertwee was transferred off the ship a very short time before the battle, meaning he escaped almost certain death at sea.