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644 messages posted to the guestbook Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] ( 60 ) [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] Add a message Search the guestbook for crew names   Michael Buick from Castletown -Sunderland UK said... 09/01/2001  NULL  John Buick My father William John Buick AB served and died on the Barham. I am his only son. His sister who was very close to him died in October 2000. I have only met one one survivor, a cook at HMS Collingwood in 1957. I would be very interested to be contacted by anyone who knew my father,and could tell me about him. Congratulations on an excellent site. Very informative. My Best Regards to all Members of the Association. May we never forget all your shipmates who were lost Mike Buick Jan 2001 Daniel P. Maloney from Baldwin, NY, USA said... 04/01/2001  NULL  Arthur Erskine Sherwell You have created a wonderful memorial to all those brave men who gave their lives on HMS Barham. I am particularly interested in any possible information anyone may have regarding Surgeon Lt. Arthur Erskine Sherwell RNVR whose bronze memorial plaque hangs in St. Petrock Church, Harford. Arthur was a distant cousin of mine who I became aware of through my interest in family history. His plaque hangs in Harford not because he was local to the area, but because our family roots are nearby in Ivybridge and Cornwood. Many of the Sherwell ancestors are buried in the rear churchyard there. Arthur and his family were originally from the bristol area although he may have moved from there to London before or after receiving his medical degree. He was born in the first quarter of 1902 in Keynsham, Bristol. Dr. Arthur Erskine Sherwell, MB, Ch.B, MRCS, LRCP had connections with Rainham, Essex and also Bristol University in the 1930's. His wife was also a doctor and lived in Bayswater, London. During HMS Barham's visit to South Africa, Arthur visited another cousin, Morris Frank Sherwell and is remembered by Morris' daughter, Elizabeth, for reading children's stories to her. I have a photograph of the memorial plaque in Harford, and would be happy to scan it and upload it if you would like. Thank you again for your wonderful site. Dan Maloney 609 Colonial Place Baldwin, NY 11510 USA Capt. Charles Palmier from Valletta - MALTA said... 26/12/2000  NULL  ANTHONY PALMIER I was introduced to your website by my brother Godwin Palmier who wrote in on the 15th.December 2000. Our dad ANTHONY PALMIER was one of the few to survive. Dad joined the Royal Navy as an Assistant Steward on the 9th.October 1935 at ST.ANGELO. He was commissioned to sea on the 12th.October 1935 on H.M.S. CYCLOPS. His CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE indicates that he served on the H.M.S. BARHAM from the 7th.June 1937 till 31st.January 1938 and again between 8th.March 1941 till the ill-fated day of the 25th.November 1941, this time as a Leading Steward. Dad was decommissioned from the Royal Navy on the 5th. of October 1957. During his Naval Career he has served on several ships, to name a few, H.M.S. Bryony,Queen Elizabeth, Warspite, Aberdeen, Drake, Woolwich, Goldfinch, Cygnet, Peacock, Falcon and Battersea. Dad died of a natural cause on the 15th.January 1989, eleven days short of his eightieth birthday. Part of his epiteph reads, "What he suffered he told but few. He did not deserve what he went through." Allow me to pay my respects to all those gentlemen who unlike my dad were less fortunate on the day. May God grant them the Eternal Salvation they so richly deserve. I would like to thank those individuals who through this website have given us the opportunity to pay a fitting tribute to such gallant men. Clive Barham from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire,U.K. said... 25/12/2000  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/9278/barham.htm  NULL Would the person responsible for seeing up http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/9278/barham.htm - which details some of the history of the English Barham family, please contact me at my e.mail address. I believe, Sir, that you are a resident of the U.S. of A.? Robert HALL from Hindhead Surrey said... 24/12/2000  NULL  Albert Edward Cecil HALL I have only just discovered this excellent website. My grandfather CPO Albert Edward Cecil HALL served on the Barham from 1939 until his death in May 1941. He was killed in action when X turret received a direct hit from an Italian bomber. It would be great to hear from anyone who may have known him. The few mementos I am lucky enough to have serve as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many during WW2. Martyn Smith from Coventry Warwickshire said... 22/12/2000  NULL  Harold Pressgrave Smith The HMS Barham Suviviors Association should be commended for the work they have done over the years to ensure that the sacrifice of those 800+ men has never been forgotton in the 59 years since the sinking. My Uncle Harold Pressgrave Smith who was from Grimsby was on the ship at the time of the sinking, and unfortunatly was killed. He was only 17 years old at the time. My Father himself in the Royal Navy during WWII remembers his brother with great affection and both my father and I would like to exchange correspondance with remaining Barham Suvivors, to find out if anybody knew him and could give us more information on his time on HMS Barham, I know it may be a difficult task to try to remember one face out of a ships compliment of 1359, not made easier with the passing of nearly 60 years, but if anybody can help in this matter please email me. Many thanks. Godwin Palmier from Enfield Middx. said... 15/12/2000  NULL  Anthony Palmier I am the son of Anthony Palmier who served on the Barham as a Chief Petty Officer.My dad was one of the lucky ones that survived the explosion.My dad passed away 11 years ago.I find your website very interesting and a tribute to all that served on the Barham.Thank you. Trevor Robertson from London, England said... 11/12/2000  NULL  ANDREW WILSON Hi my name is Trevor Robertson. Lovely site Sara, very moving. My mum has asked me to post this on your page. Her father, my Grandfather, was killed on the Barham, and this is her story: 'My Father, Act L. Stoker ANDREW WILSON was reported missing, presumed killed on HMS Barham on 25th November 1941. He was 38 years old and left a wife and 6 children between the ages of 10months and 13years. The youngest, my 'baby' brother Robert never saw his daddy, and is now of course coming up to 60 years old. He lives in North York, Ontario. Mrs Cooke, the Captain's widow, told my mother he was the baby of the ship, and she was very good to us children, sending us our share of any parcels that came in from Australia or America. She also brought my mother Sarah all the way from Paisley, Scotland to Westminster Abbey when the Book and Candlesticks were dedicated. ( I believe a Chalice was also dedicated in a Roman Catholic chorch at the same time.) My daddy had been in the Royal Navy for 17 years and had served on HMS Hood, King George V and Egret, and was only on the Barham because he missed his posting due to a problem with his teeth! My mother never gave up hope (as he was only 'missing') that one day she'd open the door and he'd be there. In the letter we received from the War Office,it asked us to keep quiet about the sinking of the Barham, as it was such a great loss.It wasn't even announced by Britain at first .... the first rumours of the sinking came from the Vatican. I am Janette and I was 9 in 1941. I live in London England. I first heard of the Survivors Association at a Pensioners meeting, and they allowed me to join. I try to get to the Abbey every year. Another Brother, Andrew, who was 7, now lives in Owen Sound, Ontario. Sister Ann was 5, and lives in Renfrew, Scotland Brother David was 3 and lives in Johnstone, Scotland, and Robert, I told you about. We lost my big sister Sadie some time ago. My wee sister Ann came to London with me for this year's service. We were touched to see so many people brought together to remember our beloved Barham, and all who sailed in her. Can anyone tell me the dates of the Greek Campaign, and where we can get proof that our loved ones served there?' Janette Robertson (Mrs) nee Wilson You can email Trevor on trevor.robertson@penborn.co.uk if you would like to ask me anything, or have an answer to my questions. Best regards David Sorley from Boulder, Colorado USA said... 29/11/2000  NULL  Robert Sorley How inspiring it was to peruse the extensive entries in the guestbook. As the youngest grandson of Surgeon Commander ER Sorley, I have always welcomed any chance to know him better. I would like to credit my cousin, Sara O'Donoghue for building a fantastic Website, and linking memories for a truly global audience. Thank you, Sara, for commemorating those lost on the HMS Barham in such dignified and interactive way. I can think of no better way to breathe life into the memories of loved ones. After reading my father’s memoirs, my grandmother's recounts, and the entries on this site, I feel that I am a little closer in understanding both my grandfather, and those who served on the Barham. I feel so blessed to have come from such a lineage of tenacious souls who fought to end the Nazi menace. We must be forever grateful for their ultimate sacrifices. I too, like my siblings will carry the strength and love of my grandfather ER Sorley, and late grandmother, Joan A. Dove and honor their memory. Thanks to Sara, and to all those who have contributed to this HMS Barham site, to help us pay tribute to our common past. I will be back! John Peters from Rayleigh, Essex. said... 28/11/2000  NULL  Arnold George Minns As part of my research into my wife's family history, I have recently discovered, through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, that a cousin of hers, Arnold George Minns, a Supply Assistant on HMS Barham, lost his life on 25th. November, 1941 when the Barham sank in the Mediterranean. He was 29 years of age at the time and left a widow, Kathleen Minns, of St. Budeaux, Devon. Having discovered this website, I should like to commend Sara on her wonderful work in creating the site. If anyone knew Arnold, I shall be very pleased to hear from them. Add a new message to the guestbook name: email: homepage: crew names: location: your message: validate your post by typing the letters into the box

last updated:  01 October 2015

andrew gillespie