Item is an interview/narrative of George Barkley Barnes' s experiences during World War I. Commander Barnes served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on July 25, 1979.
Date:
1979-07-25
Collection:
Barnes, George Barkley: my Navy recollections
People Depicted:
Commander Barnes, George Barkley, 1898-1985
Page Title:
Barnes_G_0007_01.mp3
Abstract:
Born on Dec. 13, 1898 at Work Point Barracks in Victoria, B.C. (d. 198-?) Recounts his early life in Victoria and Crofton districts. Was a great-grandson of Capt. C.W. Barkley after whom Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island was named. His father, an officer in the Royal Marine Artillery stationed in Victoria, was sent home to England and returned to Vancouver Island in 1906. Schooling at the University School, Victoria and in Duncan, B.C. At age fifteen wrote the entrance exam to the Royal Naval College of Canada, Halifax and joined on Aug. 1, 1914. Graduated in Dec. 1916. Midshipman training was undertaken in H.M.S. Leviathan (cruiser) in the West Indies. Considers Canadian midshipmen more advanced academically than Royal Navy (R.N.) midshipmen, but the latter had experienced more sea time.
Served in H.M.S. Minotaur (cruiser) based in Scapa Flow where he was engaged in convoy duty to Trondheim in Norway. Sub-lieutenant courses taken at H.M.S. Excellent at Portsmouth. Observed the Victory parade in London, 1919, following which he was awarded a prize, offered by the French government, of a trip to Paris and the battlefields of northern France. Returned to Canada on leave in the same ship as a Chinese labour battalion being repatriated to China. Met Adm. Jellicoe who was conducting his naval mission to Canada. Served again with the R.N. in the West Indies. Returned to Canada in H.M.C.S. Patrician (destroyer) in 1920. Additional courses in Britain. In 1922 served in H.M.S. Harebell (sloop). Fisheries patrol to North Russia.