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700 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 ) [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] Add a message Search the guestbook for crew names   Stephen Wilkins from Allestree, Derby said... 29/01/2001  NULL  Sidney Charles Collins Hello, A really touching memorial to those who served during the Second World War. I came across the site as a result of research into a photograph I inherited from my Dad, Les Wilkins who passed away in 1985. Dad served with the Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and was taken prisoner, June 1942. The photograph shows Dad with an unidentified Seaman, from memory Dad either said this was taken in Alexandria or Durban. He told me that the chap had died when the Barham went down, though I do not think Dad found this out until after liberation in 1945. Dad kept a small note book whilst in captivity, in it are a list of 'mates'. I checked these names against the casualty lists on your site and it is possible that the Seaman in the photograph may be Joiner 3rd Class Sidney Charles Collins (name also confirmed via Commonwealth War Graves Commission). Should any relative of Sidney Collins visit this site I am quite prepared to let them have a copy of the photograph for confirmation of identity. In addition would a copy of the photograph be of interest for inclusion on the site? Please contact me should it be of interest. Regards Steve Clare Groot from Vernon,British Columbia Canada said... 24/01/2001  NULL  William Gidley Just discouverd this site along with my brother, My father William Gidley is a servior of the HMS Barham . We will be going to the reunion in May of this year. We have a video of the sinking and it is really very amazing that anyone survied .My father was only l7 when she was sunk. He does not talk about it often. He stayed in the Royal Navy until Dec of 1954 and them joined the Canadain Navy until 1969. He is now living in Vernon British Columbia, Canada. I am sure my brother Willaim Gidley will be adding his thoughts to this web site. Rob Jerrard from Budleigh Salterton DEVON said... 22/01/2001  http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Rob_Jerra  Ron Jerrard I have a page for my uncle Ron Jerrard RM Band who lost his life that day, can anyone supply a group photo of the RM Band of Barham? Smutts (Smith) a survivor cannot find his copy. Anyone wanting a copy of Frank Wade's book can purchase via a link I have set up on my page. I have a Review started, Frank has sent me a copy. Pat Cheeseman from Perth Western Australia said... 18/01/2001  NULL  NULL God Bless Them Zeitzmann from Mainz,Germany said... 14/01/2001  NULL  NULL I have a question about the name barham. My friends name is steffen barham and he ask me from who comes the name from this battleship barham? I hope anyone can tell me this. Thanks 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. Our guestbook is now closed for new messages. Thank you for your support. 01/01/2025

last updated:  23 January 2025

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