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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   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. Pippa Sorley Taormina from Nederland, Colorado, USA said... 27/11/2000  http://www.pixelport.com  Robert Sorley I would like to commend my cousin, Sara, for creating such a wonderful tribute to the brave souls aboard the HMS Barham. You have succeeded in creating a far-reaching, global, online community, where people may finally come together to share and affirm memories of their loved ones and the sinking of the great ship. I will carry the strength and love of my grandfather, Surgeon Commander E.R. Sorley and my late grandmother, Mrs. Joan Dove, each and every day. My love and thanks to all the survivors and loved ones of the HMS Barham who have taken the time to honor the memory of my grandfather and the other 860 men aboard the ship. Andrea Hughes from Calgary, Canada said... 25/11/2000  NULL  Robert Sorley I find it more than fitting that I am adding my entry on November 25, 2000. I, too, am honoured and proud to be part of the Sorley legacy. I never knew my grandfather, Surgeon Commander E.R. Sorley, but through my father's vivid memories, his written memoirs, my grandmother - Joan A Dove's letters and the most recent family reunion which took place for my grandmother's memorial service, I feel I have gained quite some insight into the man who was my grandfather, and am so sorry not to have known him personally. He truly seemed a remarkable man who was so adored by his wife and family. I think he would be very proud to know that so many of us have an active interest in who he was and the legacy he left us all. Thank you, Sara, for making this possible such that my children may know their great-grandfather and a bit about his history. I say a prayer for the Barham survivors and those who perished, and those who lost a loved one 59 years ago today. Graeme Sorley from Victoria, B.C. said... 25/11/2000  NULL  Robert Sorley My understanding of the reason for the delay in announcing the loss of HMS Barham was that the U -331 had to dive so quickly to avoid being rammed by HMS Valiant that it was unlikely that von Tiesenhausen knew for certain that the Barham had been sunk. The loss of a capital ship was a serious depletion of Adm. Cunningham's Mediteranean fleet. Thus, it was decided to keep the news from the enemy for as long as possible until other dispositions could be made. At the time I was 8 years old. When the dreaded OHMS letter dated December 6, 1941 arrived, all I knew was that my father "is presumed to have lost his life as the result of enemy action". It was years later - about May 1945 - when I went into the school library to read the papers. I was horrified to see a graphic full page spread of the Barham blowing up in one of the daily newspapers with the caption "At last we can publish this photograph" or words to that effect. Sara O'Donoghue from ? said... 25/11/2000  http://www.watersideweb.co.uk  Robert Sorley The service was held at 3pm, Evensong at Westminster Abbey and the hymn sung at the end of the service was "For Those in Peril on the Sea". Prayers were said for the Survivors, and families of the non survivors. Afterwards, we went outside the Choir to the Nave where by the Barham Canlesticks the Barham Standard was carried slowly up the aisle and a wreath laid by Mrs Wood. Prayers were said for Members of the Association who have died during the last year. I took photographs and talked to some of the 8 Survivors present which I will put up on the site during the next week. Afterwards some of us went to the Union Jack Club for tea. There were about 100 people (a guess) at the Service. I have obtainedt the full list of attendees from Mr Stratton Brown, of the Association and I will publish it later on. Many of the Survivors wore medals and relatives of those lost on the Barham wore medals belonging to the deceased. I met Derick Potts from Kidderminster who was 14 when his 21 year old brother was killed on Barham. He was wearing his brother's medals. He raised the point that there was no delay in announcing the demise of all the other ships, Ark Royal, Repulse, and he named a few others. Why was there a delay in announcing Barham's loss?. He thought maybe someone was trying to hide something!! Any thoughts anyone? Graeme Sorley from Victoria, B.C., Canada said... 25/11/2000  NULL  Robert Sorley For those of us who will not be at Westminster Abbey today, let us bow our heads and remember the sacrifice of all those who lost their lives on November 25, 1941 Our guestbook is now closed for new messages. Thank you for your support. 01/01/2025

last updated:  23 January 2025

andrew gillespie