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723 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] [71] [72] [73] Add a message Search the guestbook for crew names   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 Rob Jerrard from BUDLEIGH SALTERTON said... 25/11/2000  http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Rob_Jerra  Ronald Charles John Jerrard Today is the 25th November 2000. A day to remember. My uncle Ronald Charles John Jerrard RM band was lost with Barham I have a page for him. See http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Rob_Jerrard. Take link to Navy. If anyone can give any info on Ron I would be happy to speak with them. T. Keith Bruce from Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland said... 24/11/2000  NULL  Andrew Bruce My uncle, Andrew Bruce who was a telegraphist on the HMS Barham is now immortally remembered in the St. Combs Kirkie. My uncle and his youngest brother Frank Bruce, carved a magnificent bust of Andrew which was unveiled at the kirkie during a dedication ceremony. The whole family of Bruces would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have served with Andrew. Ivan St Pierre from Chideock. Dorset. said... 23/11/2000  NULL  ARTHUR CHARLES THOMPSON Whilst researching my family history I discovered that my uncle Able Seaman ARTHUR CHARLES THOMPSON C/JX/237975 perished with the Barham: I wonder if there is anybody who remembers him?. Congratulations to Sara O'Donoghue for producing an excellent site, this has proved invaluable in my research. Commemorative Information on every casualty of the Barham can be downloaded from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website. mr a k hawkins from WARSOP ,NOTTS UK said... 21/11/2000  NULL  WILLIAM MOODY I AM THE SECRETARY FOR MY LOCAL ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BRANCH AND WE ARE TRY TO BUT TOGETTER A BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE FOR THE PARISH AND THE NAME WILLIAM MOODY HAS COME UP . IF ANY OF YOUR MEMBERS HAVE PHOTOS THEY CAN SEND ME ACOPY OVER THE NET OR ANY DETAILS THAT WE MAY FIND INTERRESTING PLEASE E MAIL ME YOURS A K HAWKINS David Mollison Cocharane from Hasting New Zealand said... 17/11/2000  NULL  David Mollison Forwarded on behalf of: David Mollison Cochrane. I am a survivor of the “Barham”. I joined before the war at 15 years of age. I went to HMS Caledonia Rothsythe Scotland, transferred to St George and joined with other training ships at Isle of Man. Drafted to Liverpool and joined the “Barham” 1939, which was having a refit. The Barham left Liverpool for the Middle East with General de Gaulle aboard. The day Barham went down J.B Smith and I were on the same 4 inch gun opposite shifts. he came down, woke me and took my place in the hammock. I just arrived on deck for the dog watch, when we were hit. My friend J.B. Smith never made it. On orders, Abandon Ship, I threw off my overalls went over the side. The bilge came up, I landed backside on the barnacles, then threw myself into the water. Under the oil I couldn’t surface, but the explosion sent me straight up through it. The Hotspur and Niazim had returned and I was pulled into a whaler from the Niazam. It is interesting that 59 years later, while on a visit to Australia, I made contact with the sailor who actually pulled me into the whaler. Taken to HMS Sphinx and was there till a passage home on HMS Queen Elisabeth. Living so far away in N.Z., I have not been able to attend reunions. But now so much information is turning up, it brings back so many memories, that have been stored away for so long. Regards Dave We would also like to make some enquires about George Lemon who was lost with the Barham. Michael Clifton Tilley from Nairobi, Kenya said... 15/11/2000  NULL  CLIFTON ERNEST TILLEY Hi Sara, My father, CLIFTON ERNEST TILLEY, was a C.P.O in,I believe, Supplies. I was with my mother and friend, Edith Hobson and son Brian, living in North Wales at the time the Barham was lost. I have vague memories of my father in such diversa places as Malta and Alexandria before the War and Liverpool (probably during the War). So far,I have only made one contact with a friend,and former shipmate, of my father's, Roy Bowyer. It would be interesting to find out if there are any other survivors who knew my father. I have looked through the web page with great interest and will spend more time on it later. Regards, Michael Tilley. Phillip Bland from Great Yarmouth said... 12/11/2000  NULL  Arthur Goatson My Uncle Arthur Goatson served aboard the HMS Barham and was aboard when she was sunk and was those lucky enough to survive. We are not sure but we believe that he was something to do with the guns. Coyld anybody with any information on please send info to me. 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:  21 September 2021

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