SHE WAS the biggest and most iconic British warship of her time. The mighty HMS Hood, which took part in two Spithead reviews in 1935 and 1937, was the most powerful military vessel in the world for more than 20 years. But 860ft battlecruiser was sunk by the German ship Bismarck in May1941 with the loss of more than 1,400 lives. They included the officer in overall command, Vice Admiral Lancelot Holland, who used to worship at St John’s Church at Boldre in the New Forest. After the war his widow, Phyllis Holland, arranged for a memorial to be established at the church, where an annual service of commemoration has been held ever since.