Archibald William Barrow – Royal Navy, H.M.S. Indefatigable
Stoker Archibald William Barrow – Royal Navy, H.M.S. Indefatigable
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| George Montague Barrow and Jessie Jones marriage certificate St. Mary’s Church, Swansea |
Family Background and Early Life
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| 1901 Census |
At the time of the 1901 Census, the Barrow family were residing at 101 Courtney Street, Swansea. George Barrow (33), born in Devon, was employed as a coal worker, while his wife Jessie (31) managed the household.
Their children were Archie (7), Gertrude (5), and John (8 weeks).
Also present were two visitors, John Schultz (37),
born in Sweden, and his wife Ellen (29).
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| 1911 Census |
By the time of the 1911 Census, Jessie Barrow was widowed, her husband George having died in 1905. The family remained at 101 Courtney Street, Swansea.
Jessie (40) was employed as a charwoman. Her children were Archibald William (17), working as a tinplate worker (bundling); Gertrude Ellen (15), a general domestic servant; James (10); and Emmaline (7), the younger children both attending school.
Naval Service and Death
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| H.M.S. Indefatigable |
Indefatigable was an Indefatigable-class
battlecruiser, commissioned in 1911, and formed part of the 1st
Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She displaced
approximately 18,800 tons and was armed with eight 12-inch guns,
combining heavy firepower with high speed, though at the expense of armour
protection. Throughout the early years of the war she operated in the North
Sea, taking part in patrols and fleet operations against the German High
Seas Fleet.
On 31st May 1916, Indefatigable was
heavily engaged during the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle
of the First World War. During the action she was struck by shells from the
German battlecruiser SMS Von der Tann. One or more shells
penetrated her armour and detonated her magazines, causing a catastrophic
internal explosion. The ship broke apart and sank within minutes.
Of a crew of more than 1,000 officers and men, only two
survived. Those serving deep within the ship, including the stokers and
engine-room crews, were killed instantly.
Archibald William Barrow
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth
credit - findagrave
Stoker Archibald William Barrow was among those who
lost their lives in the sinking. He has no known grave and is
commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, which honours members of
the Royal Navy who died at sea during the First World War.Archibald William Barrow
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth
credit - findagrave
His death reflects both the dangers faced by engine-room
personnel and the immense human cost of the Battle of Jutland, a battle that
led to significant changes in British naval safety and ammunition-handling
procedures later in the war.
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