Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, no bar, Charles Bareham, Ordinary Seaman, HMS Pelorus, Royal Navy.
Officially impressed: “C. Bareham, Ord. H.M.S. Pelorus”
Confirmed on the medal roll. With copy service papers.
Claw re-pinned.
Charles Bareham was born con 25th July 1880 in Monkton Combe, Somerset, England.
The son of John and Maria (Dalladay) both of Essex.
He first joined the Royal Navy at 17 years old on 10th September 1897 as Boy 2nd Class.
For the Boer War, he served on the Pelorus from 15th January 1899 – 31st August 1900.
Followed by the Phaeton from 17th September 1900 to 29th April 1903.
After leaving the Navy after his terms were done in Feb 1904, he joined the RFR Devonport on 4th March 1906.
On 27th February 1911, he chose to re-enroll with the RFR for another 5 years.
In the meantime he became a Postman with the General Post Office (Royal Mail).
During this period WW1 broke out, leading to his immediate mobilisation serving on HMS Argonaut from 2nd August 1914.
He was sent to HMS Vivid I on 11th September 1914 and was discharged shortly afterwards on 22nd September 1914:
“Invalided, Loss of Teeth and Indigestion”.
During his time on the Argonaut, the ship had been deployed to the Atlantic and was stationed off Cape Finisterre from August 1914.
For his war services during this brief period, he did earn the 1914-15 Star Trio, which was likely claimed by his Wife after his death in Australia.
Following his discharge from the Royal Navy, he went to Australia, he died there on 26th June 1920, in Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia, being buried in Sutherland.
His wife Beatrice Florence Bareham (Searles) whom he had married in Bristol in 1911 whilst a Postman, remained in Australia and later died in Sydney during 1982, aged 93.
The family grave can be viewed here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129535663/charles-bareham
