- Author
- Bywater, G (Naval Archives)
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, RAN operations, WWI operations
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Sydney II
- Publication
- June 1987 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Albert Martyn Barker (No. 3682) was born in Hobart, Tasmania in March 1894. He joined HMAS Warrego on 8 February 1914 as an Officer’s Steward Gd III at the age of 19 years and 11 months. He was then posted to HMAS Sydney on 4 June 1914. On 25 May 1915 he was posted to the London shore depot, and later discharged from HMAS Cerberus on 13 October 1915 as an invalid, when granted a pension of 52 pounds per year. It is presumed that he was injured during the action. Prize money was paid to the crew for the action. Barker received at total of £6/14/-. Barker also saw action in September 1914 at the taking of German New Guinea.
(drawn by Albert Barker)
| Transcript of the letter from Leut Witthoeft |
|
H.M.S. Hampshire 6 December 1914 Dear Sir! I enclose herewith your white pants, you had the kindness to lend us on board the “Sydney”. Dr. Luther and I thank you very very much. We are very sorry indeed not to be able to send these pants back to you washed, as we had no opportunity. I hope you will not be too angry about it. We never will forget all the kindness we got during our time on board the “Sydney” and wish to you all a good voyage. Please give my special compliments to Mr. Cavaye and Garsia. I am Yours sincerely Robert Witthoeft Oberleutnant zur See |
Sources:
- A.W. Jose ‘Official History of Australia 1914-1918’, Vol. 9.
- HMAS Sydney‘s Letter of Proceedings dated 15 November 1914 (as reported in Naval Staff Monographs (Historical) Vol. V: ‘The Eastern Squadron 1914-April 1922’, Appendix E, page 210).
- RAN records.
- Der Krieg zur See, 1914-1918 — Der Kreuzerkrieg in der auslandischen Gewassern, Vol. II; Captain von Muller’s report.
- Emden Association, via the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.