H.M.S. Barfleur's Guestbook

Hello,
Have been visiting site of "Barfleur", bringing back some great memories of a very happy ship. I am now 82years of age and think this is a great site, just wish I had found it sooner. I am Bill Fawns (Jock) from Dundee.
I joined the ship at Wallsend on 11.1.45 until 10.10.46.

My Uncle, William ( Bill ) Mcguiness used to serve on the Barfleur, just found this out 2 nights ago so thought i'd do abit research on the internet for him

He's now in his 80's and lives still in Newcastle Upon Tyne, does anyone remember him?

Found your website interesting and am thinking of doing a similar thing with my father's diary and photos. His name was Charles Peter Harrison and he joined on 7 - 4 -1945. unfortunately he died a few years later, at the age of 28, and we have often wondered if visiting Hiroshima contributed to his death. He wrote for Monday 10th June, 'Went after dinner on a trip to Hiroshima, atom bombed city. Very grim sight. A few stone buildings left standing, but the rest flattened out.'
Good luck with the website, I shall keep having a look.

Jan Spencer

Ray, Congratulations on your website. I had a draft chit to join Barfleur in late 1956 after being promoted to L/Sig. but fate took a hand, I had suffered a knee injury in October 1955 and further damaged the same knee in early 1956. When doing my joining routine for Barfleur the MO decided I was unfit for sea because of the aforementioned injuries and I was declared "P7R." Now this will be of no interest to you but I have some regrets that I did not join her for a commission in the Med. Eventually I joined the Hogue, another Battle Class destroyer but that is another story.

My dad, Peter Cassidy, joined HMS Barfleur on 2 Feb 1946 and he was delighted when I copied him info. from the site.

For the record, he was not the Peter Cassidy who fought in the Spanish Civil War, as indicated in the message from Mike Arnott. That was actually his father, also named Peter Cassidy from Dundee.

This is a great idea. My Great Uncle served on the Barfleur (John McIntyre) and talks about it often. Now I can see what he's talking about! My Mum found your site and has put him in touch with Harry Randall which really pleased him. He's looking forward to seeing the photos on the site. Thanks very much.

Greetings from BC Canada....What a fantastic site & job well done! Made my day in seeing my Dad's name on the HMS Barfleur's ships rating list. His name Stephens S (Sid)Stoker I formerly of 9,Wood Lane, Caterham, Surrey. Joined the Barfleur 11/1/1945. He still lives in Caterham & just turned 79 Nov 2005. I'm in contact with him via the phone & recently he told me about Navy News...tonight I searched via computer & was amazed to find a website for Barfleur. Going to phone him later & let him know! He will be one very happy fella. Dad always talks about his time on Barfleur & of 2 old shipmates Hughie Graham from Tynemouth & "Banger" Bracewell from Billingsworth Sussex. Perhaps there's others out there who may remember my Dad...if so look forward to hearing from you & will pass on messages to Dad. All for now, take care & many sincere thanks to all Sailors, who gave their all for those of us here today.
Kindest Regards,
Carol (Daughter of S Stephens)

My Dad is listed on your site - W.Davies from Penybanc. He has banners from the Barfleur that we have just inherited for his little Grandson. My Dad sadly died on 28.11 after a battle with cancer. He kept a lot of material on his time on the Barfleur and Renown (mostly), so it was nice to see his name on the site.

Best regards,

Alison

Hi... my name's Ron PedleyI've just found the .
Barfleur web site... it's excellent
I served as a PO/RM(radar) on the Duke of York in the British Pacific Fleet... and tansferred to the Barfleur in Hong Kong in 1946... my demob group was deferred because they were short of Radar mechs. so I didn't get to go home on the DoY.... but at the tender age of 79 it was a refreshing reminder of my time on the Barfleur... she was agreat ship.. despite the problems I had with the new fangled 262 radar on the remote mounting to the twin Bofors on the afterdeck.... happy memories now although some of them didn't seem to be so at the time...

best wishes Ron Pedley

I'm leaving this message on behalf of my aunt, Margaret MacMillan of Exmouth, Devon. Her husband John, served on the Barfleur (joined 11.1.1945). John, who we sadly lost in 1990, would, I believe have been thrilled with this site.

Hi

Just found out my dad served on the Barfleur from Jan 1945.

His name is Reg (Buck) Taylor.

Found this great site - loads of good photos. Don't suppose anyone remembers my dad or has a photo of him? Would love to know what he looked like back then...........

Thanks to all you sailors who gave us our todays.

Penny

Hi I understand you problems with this site sometime ago my father alfred chambers was on this ship many moons ago and is now living about 200 yrds from the address you have for him. Thanks for a great web site this will be on my fav for a long time to come . I am also ex navy hms kent and hms endurance .

Paul

My Grandad Sam Beresford served as an AB gunner on the Barleur in 1944 onwards. The site lists him here as S.Berdsford. Please can this be corrected to properly honour him. I would like to thank you for this wonderful site. Sam Beresfords Daughter and Son are both alive and would love to learn even more about him (As would i) If anyone knows more or can tell us more please could you help. his nickname was 'Stripey'and he was in his thirties during WW2.
Many thanks,
Daniel 'Beresford' Lambourne

My maternal Grandfather Vic Greetham served on the Barfleur at the end of the war, and I found a photo of him on your excellent site. Unfortunately he died a few years ago and I never really spoke to him about his years in the service.
I was suprised at how far he had travelled on board the ship and all that he had seen.
He did however tell me that the half a finger he was missing got blasted up the barrel of one of those 4.5 inch guns

Great site and my Nan has got some photo's that I will try and dig out.

At Last! A photo of my great-uncle Admiral Sir John Edelsten - many thanks.
John

Great website just found my dad in the pic of the boys in auckland.Albert (Bert) Springall

Hi,
Just for information, the Peter Cassidy of Dundee who joined on 2nd Feb 1946 was an international brigader who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

Just found your website by chance and also some interesting info on the BarF.
I have a number of photos from her last commission that you may be interested in and I'll dig them out and send them to you shortly. I served on her from 1957 until mid 1958 when I left to join s/ms and I never heard of her again after that.

Dear ray,
I've just discovered your excellent website.
My Dad (Roland Applegarth) served for a couple years on board HMS Barfleur in the final years of the war.
Before his sad death in 2002, we used to chat about his time in the Senior Service and he had many happy memories.
My mum still has many photo's in her possession, including one of all the ships crew gathered on the fore-deck. These may be of interest to you.
There are also anumber of photo's of his two best mates on board; 'Jock' and 'Geoff'--sorry no surnames.
Regards,
Andy.

My father, Arthur Wilson, served on HMS Barfleur from 2/4/1945. Unfortunately my father died in 1985 after suffering a heart attack at the age of 58.
He always talked about his time on HMS Barfleur and even took us onto it when it was docked at Harlepool.
His wife, my mother, Norma now lives in Dunscroft Doncaster and is 75 yrs of age.
He was very proud of his time aboard ship.
If possible I would love to hear from any of his shipmates or their families especially the person who gave my father a 1 Yen note when they were in Japan. There is a message and name on the back of it but I cannot read it.
Good luck with the web site.
Maureen taylor

May I repeat my previous comments which were unfortunately ruined together with many others and say I think your website is a brilliant idea and I hope viewers will leave their goodwill messages which are fully deserved

Dear ray. your father would have been very proud of this website in memory of his ship and all who served on her. malcolm and i are also very proud too. lots of love mum.