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The Association holds a memorial service once a year. During this service the Standard is paraded, prayers are said and wreaths are laid to remember the lost crew of HMS Barham. Pictures of past memorial events can be found above. |
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The Book of Remembrance is also held in Westminster Abbey close to the entrance of the West Door. It contains the names of the men who lost their lives. It is kept in a locked cabinet and opened once a year for the service of Remembrance. Relatives can apply to have the case opened and to turn the pages of the book upon application to one of the Abbey staff. |
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The Standard Candlesticks can be seen at all times in Westminster Abbey at the entrance to the choir, either side of the main aisle. They were dedicated at the Abbey on February 10th 1943 following a service of Evensong. Excerpts from the service are below. |
| The candlesticks, each with a small mouse carved at the base commemorate the Officers, Warrant Officers, Petty Officers and men lost in HMS Barham |
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The purchase and donation of the candlesticks was organised by the wife of Captain Cooke who lost his life on the ship. |
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10th. April 1943.
Joan dearest
I am enclosing a statement of the money collected for the Barham Memorial and how it has been spent. I think I have already told you that with the remainder a Trust Fund has been opened with the British Legion for the Officers' families and all dependants of those who lost their lives in the Barham
I must tell you that since starting my work for the wives and children, the British Legion has never refused any help I have asked of them. They have given me every possible kind of help, even to introducing me to the Haig Home, and now the Haig Homes are finding houses for our wives and children to live in. Many of our wives have told me that when the Representatives of the British Legion and Haig Homes call on them they at once feel they are their friends and want to help them, and so they tell them everything.
I am hoping that the fund will be augmented from time to time in rememberance of dear onces who went down in the Barham. The Legion will allot any money left to them to deal with in any special way that might be desired.
There are to be two books in which all names and decorations will be recorded. One in the Abbey and one for the Roman Catholic Church in Portsmouth. The Dean has very kindly told me of a lady who does all such special work for the Abbey, and when I have all the names I will get in touch with her. I am giving these books in rememberance of my husband. Will you kindly let me have the full name and decoration of your dear one.
A photograph of the Candlesticks was given to me as I left the Abbey after the dedication service and I felt that we should all have one, so ordered them together with the Inscription, and photographs of the Chalice and Paten given to the Roman Catholic Church in Portsmouth. I think we shall all treasure these in memory of the service which was an imspiration to all of us.
Yours most sincerely,
Connie Cooke
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