24/11/08

The service of Remembrance was held on Saturday 22nd Nov 2008 at Westminster Abbey.

It was attended by over 70 people. Two survivors George Knott and Jack Nealon attended. After Evensong, Canon Nicholas Sagovsky welcomed members of the Barham Association and friends to the Wreath laying.

The book containing names of crew members lost was placed open, as usual, for inspection by relatives. Contents of the service sheet can be found below. Names of people connected with HMS Barham and who had recently died were read out.

One of the attendees was Mrs Doris James of Cardiff. Her father, Chief Stoker David Williams, died in the sinking aged 47. She had only been informed of the existence of the Association 2 weeks ago by her grandson, surfing the web.

Mrs Noelle Mogridge was also at the service for the first time. Her mother, Mrs Yvonne Burton lost her brother Midshipman Andrew Edmond Hutton in the sinking. Noelle circulated a letter after the service in which she advised that her mother who lives in Spain, would “dearly love to hear from anyone who is in anyway associated with the Barham and it’s extended family”. Mrs Burton can be contacted via her daughter Noelle at ladym1uk@btopenworld.com.

A number of people took photographs at the Service and if anyone would allow us to use them on the website, please do contact us via our email address.

Sara Wrigley