Family group:

Three: Leading Seaman W. Barry, Royal Navy, who was among a small band of seagoing Bluejackets invited to visit the Western Front - and won a commendation for his gallant conduct in the trenches with the London Regiment in December 1915

1914-15 Star (J. 1194 W. Barry, L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J. 1194 W. Barry, L.S., R.N.), the second with contact marks and polished, thus nearly very fine, the others rather better

Three: Officer’s Steward 3rd Class J. F. Barry, Royal Navy, who was killed in action in H.M.S. Hawke in October 1914

1914-15 Star (L. 4274 J. F. Barry, O.S. 3, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (L. 4274 J. F. Barry, O.S. 3, R.N.), the second with contact marks and polished, thus nearly very fine, the others rather better (6) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman.

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William Barry was born in Aghada, Co. Cork, in April 1891, the son of Edward and Frances Barry, and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in April 1908.

An Able Seaman serving in H.M.S. Agincourt on the outbreak of hostilities, he was among a number of ratings seconded for services ashore in France, and, as per his service record, was ‘commended for meritorious services rendered in action, East of Vermelles, on 30 December 1915’, while attached to the 22nd and 24th London Regiment. The following report was submitted by Brigadier-General F. C. Lewis, C.O. 142nd Infantry Brigade:

‘The party of the Royal Navy under Major Troup, R.M.A., arrived here yesterday morning, and went up to the trenches in ‘C’ Sector, half with each of my two Battalions in the front line.

About 4.15 p.m. the enemy exploded several mines in front of C2 near the “Hairpin” and immediately covered the area near it with an immense mass of shell. The position was for a short time very critical, but the Royal Navy Party rose to the occasion splendidly. Two of them, on seeing a Vickers gun team knocked out, manned the gun at once and kept it in action most usefully for some time; many took rifles and fired away hard, the remainder helped to recover and assist the wounded.

I do not know the names of the individuals, but I should be glad to know that their prompt and plucky action can be recognised; in the meantime, I beg on behalf of all ranks of this Brigade to record the admiration of their conduct and to offer them our thanks.’

More specific details of the Bluejackets’ part in the action appear in the following extract Major Troup’s report:

‘At about 4.15 p.m., the Germans exploded five mines round the “Hairpin” and rushed the craters. I was at that moment with Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Simpson, C.O. of the 24th London Regiment, at about the centre of the line held by his Battalion. Colonel Simpson immediately rushed for the nearest telephone station and I lost him in the confusion. Immediately the mines went up the Germans opened rapid rifle fire and machine-gun fire on the whole position and concentrated their heavy and field artillery on it.

Orders were passed along the trench from the O.C. Company, Major Parker, to fix bayonets, man the parapet and open rapid fire. I passed these orders and assisted to rally the men near me. The Naval Party were distributed in pairs along the line and took an active part in the action, showing an excellent example to the young soldiers in the ranks. A record of their individual services is attached. The infantry fire lasted about an hour and was directed to enfilading the craters occupied by the Germans and to holding them to their trenches in the rest of the line ... ’

And among the above mentioned record of individual services appears Barry, who Major Troup stated ‘took a rifle and joined the firing line and afterwards he helped the wounded to the rear.’ Troup’s R.N. team numbered 13 men, frontline “visitors” drawn from 12 different ships, and two of their number were awarded the D.C.M.

Barry died of pneumonia in hospital ship Soudan on 2 April 1916, and his name is commemorated in Upper Aghada Cemetery, Co. Cork; sold with full research.

John Francis Barry was born in Aghada, Co. Corke, in August 1889, the son of Edward and Francis Barry, and entered the Royal Navy as an Officer’s Steward 3rd Class in H.M.S. Hawke in March 1913. Similarly employed on the outbreak of hostilities, he was among those lost when the Hawke was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea on 15 October 1914.

Hawke formed part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron detailed to blockade and patrol the northern trade routes of the North Sea. On 15 October she was in company with her sister ship the Endymion. At 9.30 a.m., the two ships stopped and a boat was sent from the Hawke to the Endymion to collect mail - a scene reminiscent of the sinking of the Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy the previous month; more so, as the two stationary ships were spotted by the same submarine, the U-9, under Lieutnant Otto Weddigen, who wrought havoc on that occasion. Both ships then got under way, with the Hawke, having had to recover its boat, lagging behind. At 10.30 a.m., while still getting up speed, she was hit by a torpedo and sank within a few minutes. Only two boats managed to get away from the stricken ship - one of which disappeared; the men of the surviving boat and those found on a raft - 4 officers and 66 men were the only survivors; nearly 500 officers and men of the Hawke were killed.

Barry’s name is commemorated on the Plymouth Memorial.