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793 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] [74] ( 75 ) [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] Add a message Search the guestbook for crew names   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 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. 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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