21 Monks Way
Hill Head
Fareham
Hampshire
PO14 3LU
Tel. 01329-662137
19 September 2009

President. The Rt Hon. The Earl of Gainsborough

AUTUMN 2009 NEWSLETTER

The Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey, has given permission for us to hold our Remembrance Service at the Abbey on Saturday 28th November. Survivors, members and guests are requested to enter the Abbey by the west door no later than 1430 and proceed to the seating in the centre of the nave. Prior to Evensong the Abbey staff will direct us to seats in the choir stalls for the service. For people who have never been to this service I find it one of the most moving celebrations at which to be present.

On completion of Evensong we retire to the nave seating for our service in memory of all those who died in HMS BARHAM and we also remember all those survivors and Association members who have passed away during the year. The service starts with the parading of our standard by CPO Bob Woodgate and is followed by the laying of the wreath. The wreath is again being made and very kindly donated by Pat and Alan Pickett, thank you. If any member or members of the Association wish to lay the wreath please let me know. After the service the book of remembrance will be open for inspection.

Last year three survivors (Mr George Knott, Mr John Nealon and Mr Jim Pratt) were among the ninety seven members and their friends who attended the service. Again this is well up on some previous years and is very pleasing that so many wish to support our service and keep the name of HMS BARHAM and their loved ones in their memories. Several members managed to take photographs of the survivors and relatives after the service and the secretary has been asked if these could be published on the web site or made available for purchase.

Some members have planned to meet at the Methodist Central Hall restaurant for a light lunch and get together before the Abbey services. The Union Jack Club has again kindly given permission for members and their friends to use the club’s bar and restaurant after the Remembrance service. The Union Jack Club is in Sandell Street on the east side of Waterloo railway station.

The guestbook on our website has a steady stream of entries from members of families of those who served in HMS Barham but for whom the Association had never before had any contacts. We would welcome any of them who wished to come to the Remembrance service.

At the National Arboretum near Alrewas, Staffordshire there are already two oak trees and a seat in memory of those lost in HMS BARHAM. One tree is in the Royal Naval Review, the other tree and the seat are near the My Remembrance Day Poppy Garden. With the very impressive new Armed Forces memorial to all those killed since World War Two the arboretum is well worth a visit.

Sadly there has been an obituary in the Daily Telegraph for a member of the Association Captain Terrance D Herrick who died on 15th April. He was the Commanding Officer of HMS Hotspur which despite an air raid warning stopped for over an hour to pick up 337 survivors after the sinking of HMS Barham, among them was Vice Admiral Pridham-Wippell. He was a New Zealander and after retiring from the Royal Navy returned to the North Island. We have sent a letter of condolence to his family.

Sadly we have been informed of the deaths of 3 survivors: Colin Cartmell on 16 March, Allan Hugill on 17 May and Ted Sibley on 4 June. We have also been informed of the deaths of the following members: Arthur John Morrant, John Florida and Ron Humm.

We have recently heard that Mrs Gladys Knott has been ill and taken to hospital. Our thoughts are with George at this time. Get well soon Gladys.

I have received a letter from Mrs Kathleen Kirkness in the Orkney Islands which encloses a photo of a working clock given to her son’s great grandparents in April 1940 by the Sanding party from HMS Barham. This was in appreciation of Mr and Mrs Irvines’ kindness during the party’s stay at Durness. Also included is a list of the 22 members of the party, two of whom were killed in the sinking and two of whom survived but have since died.

I would like to thank all those who have been in contact with the Association for their support and gifts. I would also like to thank my committee for all their work to keep the organisation going.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Stratton-Brown

Chairman