Geoffrey Bruce Barchard

Rank:Midshipman
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Royal Navy
Name of Rgt or Ship:H.M.S. Aboukir
Died:22/09/1914Age:15
How Died:Died at Sea
Country of burial:U.K.
Cemetery or Memorial:Chatham Naval Memorial
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born on the 22nd August 1899, the birth being registered during the
December quarter 1899 in the Newton Abbot R.D. - ref: 5b/111, the son of
William Barnett & Violet Barchard (nee Dugdale).

In 1891 his father was residing at the family home at Eccles Old Road,
Pendleton, Salford.  He was a Silk Merchant, as was his grandfather.  The
family employed five domestic servants.

1901 Census - "Les Hirondelles", Tormoham, Torquay, Devon.  Son - aged: 1 -
born: Torquay, Devon.   Head of household - William B. Barchard - Married -
aged: 35 - occ: Living on own Means - born: Eccles, Lancashire.   Also -
Violet Barchard - Wife - aged: 30 - born: Eccles.   Plus 3 elder siblings
and 4 domestic servants.

1911 Census - "Woodcote", Lee on the Solent, Crofton, Hampshire.   Son -
aged: 11 - Scholar - born: Torquay, Devon.   Head of household - William
Burnett Barchard - Married - aged: 45 - occ: Living on own Means - born:
Eccles, Lancashire.   Also - Violet Barchard - Wife - aged: 40 - born:
Eccles.   Plus 4 siblings and 2 domestic servants.

Enlisted in May 1912 and went to training Establishments.  Discharged in
August 1914 and posted to H.M.S. Aboukir.   At the time of his enlistment,
his mother resided at "Woodcote", Lee on Solent, Hampshire.

Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914, The Aboukir and Bacchante,
Euryalus, Hogue and Cressy were assigned to patrol the English Channel to
protect the supply route from England to France.

At about 06:00 hrs on the 22nd September 1914, the three cruisers -
Aboukir, Cressy & Hogue, had to return to Harwich to refuel.  They were
steaming at 10 knots (12 mph) in line ahead, when they were spotted by the
German submarine U-9.
 
U-9 submerged and closed the range to the unsuspecting British ships.  At
close range, he fired a single torpedo at Aboukir. The torpedo broke her
back, and she sank within 20 minutes with the loss of 527 men.
 
The captains of Cressy and Hogue thought Aboukir had struck a floating mine
and came forward to assist her.   They stood by and began to pick up
survivors.    U-9 then fired two torpedoes into Hogue.    As she sank, the
captain of Cressy realised that they were being attacked by a submarine,
and tried to escape.    Two more torpedoes were fired into Cressy, and she
also sank.

Commemorated on the private family (sister's) gravestone in St.
Catherine's, Dumplington.  Ref: 3j14 only.

M.I. - "He gave his life for his Country".

Memorials found on:
St. Catherine's (Barton on Irwell)
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