Tragic sailor’s letter recalled

THE tragic death of an Oldham naval rating which features in the Imperial War Museum North’s latest major exhibition has prompted local memories.

The Evening Chronicle described on Monday how Herbert Moores was only 17 when his ship, the battleship HMS Barham, was attacked and sank in 1941 as it left Egypt to intercept an Italian convoy.

His story is told in “All Aboard”, the exhibition of war at sea which has just opened at the museum in Trafford Park, and includes an embroidery by Herbert and the letter sent by the Admiralty to his family after his death.

And seeing the story prompted Pat Abram, from Royton, to recall how a letter to her cousin from a cheerful Herbert was written only a short time before his death.

Pat, now 72, was living in Garforth Street, Chadderton, at the time, and was only three when he died.

She remembers Bert, as he was known, as a visitor to her home, and added: “My mum told me that when he came back from the war he would make me a desk and chair.”

And she has lovingly preserved one of his last letters, which was sent to her cousin Mary, when the Barham had been in South Africa for repairs for six weeks in wonderful weather.

He said it felt “just like home” being out of the war and with no air raids. He made friends with local people, went dancing and to the cinema, and saw the Durban July Handicap, but returned to Egypt in September.

Pat, who is now a member of Royton History Society, said: “He uses phrases from the times, like ‘It ain’t half hot, talk about sweating little dolly apples’.

“It was written in pencil and was getting faded so I have preserved it by laminating the pages.”

It was written on August 17, 1941 — and the ship went down on November 25.

Pat added: “He signed it with a PS ‘Give my love to Aunt Betty, Uncle Sam and the children,’ and one of them was me.”

Pat is now hoping to add the letter to the Herbert Moores archive at the museum.