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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (1) Defence of Ladysmith (136135 A-B: C. Barham, H.M.S. Powerful)

Charles Barham was born at Dartford, Kent on 28 September 1869 and was a plumber by trade upon his joining the Royal Navy in January 1886. A spell of 14 days in the cells for insubordination was his only blemish during an otherwise excellent career.

Having shared in the Naval Brigade with the guns of Powerful during the Siege of Ladysmith, Barham joined the Coast Guard Station at Beaulieu in September 1900. He latterly served on the Stations at Lymington, Totland and the Isle of Wight, being made Commissioned Boatman in October 1903. During the Great War he served on Roxburgh from August 1914 until being posted to the Western Croyde Station in November 1915. Chief Officer at Paignton by May 1919, he retired in January 1923.