23/11/02

Prayers were said for the lost crew of HMS Barham at a service of Evensong held at 3pm today in Westminster Abbey.

The service, attended by 90 people, including 5 survivors and 3 other members of the ships company who had left before the ship sank, ended at 3.45pm. The Naval hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save" was sung at the end.

After that, the members of the congregation connected with the Barham, were invited to process out of the Choir to the area where the book of Remembrance was set up on a lectern in the centre of the Abbey.

The Survivors Association standard was paraded by Keith Miller, and Canon Tom Wright of the Abbey said prayers specifically for the Barham crew.

He also read Alfred Lord Tenyson's poem "Crossing the Bar" . Finally before the blessing, he remebered the survivors who sadly have died since the last service at the Abbey, during the last year.

The wreath of red and white carnations, was laid by Ron Humm (son of a person lost in the sinking)