HMS Barham and Fairy Hill, Gower

 What is the connection between HMS Barham and Fairy Hill, Gower?

HMS Barham

Let us commence with HMS Barham. HMS Barham, a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, was laid down in February 1913 at John Brown & Co., Clydebank. It was completed on 31st December 1914, for £2,470,113.

During the First World War, HMS Barham participated in the Battle of Jutland in May/June 1916. She was used for patrol and training in the North Sea for the remainder of the war.

During the conflicts, HMS Barham was deployed to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Home Fleets. Additionally, HMS Barham played a minor role during the 1929 Palestine riots and participated in operations during the Arab revolts in Palestine from 1936 to 1939.

On the eve of World War II, HMS Barham collided with HMS Duchess in the Mediterranean, causing Duchess to sink on 12^th December 1939.

Magazine exploding, 25th November 1941

TIn September 1940, the HMS Barham participated in the Battle of Dakar, West Africa, where it damaged a Vichy French battleship and sustained damage itself. After the battle, the HMS Barham was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet. In March 1941, during the Battle of Cape Matapan, the HMS Barham contributed to the sinking of an Italian heavy cruiser. During the evacuation of Crete in May/June 1941, the HMS Barham was damaged by German aircraft. In November of the same year, the HMS Barham was sunk off the coast of Egypt by U-331, resulting in the loss of 862 crew members.   

A. R. Bowditch
Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Nineteen-year-old Ordinary Seaman Arthur Reginald Bowditch, from Swansea, was among the 862 individuals who lost their lives. His name, along with those of his comrades, is inscribed on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Admiral Charles Middleton

HMS Barham was named after Admiral Charles Middleton.

Charles Middleton, 1^st Baron Barham, was born in 1726. He joined the Royal Navy in 1741 as a Captain’s servant aboard HMS Sandwich and HMS Duke. Middleton progressed from midshipman to master’s mate, and by 1745, he achieved the rank of lieutenant. In 1754, during the Seven Years’ War, Middleton served on HMS Anson, where he successfully captured two French ships at Louisbourg.

In 1758, Middleton was promoted to the rank of post-captain. In 1761, while commanding HMS Emerald, Captain Middleton distinguished himself in the West Indies by capturing sixteen French ships and several privateers.

In 1761, Middleton married Margaret Gambier. In 1782, Middleton took command of HMS Adventure. From 1763 onwards, after serving on HMS Adventure, Middleton lived as a country gentleman at Teston.

At the onset of the American War of Independence in 1775, Middleton was appointed to command the guardship at Nore and granted the rank of Comptroller of the Navy. He maintained this position for the subsequent twelve years. In 1781, Middleton was bestowed the title of Baronet, with a special remainder stipulating that, in the absence of male heirs, the title would be passed to his son-in-law, Gerard Noel.

In 1784, Middleton was elected as a Tory Member of Parliament for Rochester, a position he held for the following six years. In 1793, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and, in 1794, appointed to the Board of Admiralty. By 1795, he had risen to become the First Naval Lord of the Admiralty. During the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Middleton was appointed the First Lord of the Admiralty and was created Baron Barham, with the stipulation that, in the absence of a male issue, the title would pass to his daughter Diana Middleton and her male heirs. Middleton resigned from his office in 1806 and subsequently passed away in 1813.

William Wilberforce 

Middleton played an important role in abolishing the slave trade, alongside William Wilberforce. More information will be provided about Wilberforce due to his additional connections to Swansea.

Diana Middleton

Diana Middleton, born in 1762, inherited her father's title in 1813. Diana was known for her involvement in abolitionism and philanthropy.  

In 1780, Diana married Gerard Edwardes. Gerard inherited his uncle's estates from Henry Noel, the 6^th Earl of Gainsborough. Upon inheriting the title, Edwardes was required to change his surname to Noel.

Fairy Hill, Reynoldston, Gower

Following her marriage, Diana found her husband to be “profligate and eccentric” and subsequently relocated to Fairy Hill, Reynoldston, Gower. At this location, she commenced the funding for the construction of free schools and the establishment of four independent and two Calvinist Methodist churches. Diana passed away at Fairy Hill in 1823. Her son, Charles, inherited his mother's titles.