W. Bro. Revd. David T. Youngson, PPAG Chaplain, Northumberland reports as follows:
The information given below in respect of some of the brethren is the best possible conclusions from Lodge records, Grand Lodge records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and data in respect of merchant ship losses during the First World War
659 Blagdon Lodge; Year of Warrant 1855; Masonic Hall Beaconsfield Street Blyth
269945 Ch. ER Artificer BARNES Arthur Hector; Royal Navy HM Submarine G9
The son of Joseph and Charlotte Barnes late of Brightlingsea, Essex. He was Initiated on the 23rd June 1916 when his address was given as Dovercourt, Harwich, aged 40. There is no record of any further Advancement.
He was Mentioned in Despatches and died on the 16th September 1917 aged 41. The husband of Ethel E. D. Histed (formerly Barnes) of 3 Stour View, Main Road, Upper Dovercourt, Harwich. He is Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, 23.
HM Submarine G9 was built at Vickers, Barrow in Furness and launched in June 1916. G9 left the River Tees on the 9th September 1917, during operations in the North Sea in foul weather whilst on the surface she mistakenly attacked HMS Pasley with two torpedoes which missed. HMS Pasley followed the wake of G9 and rammed and sunk her. There was one survivor.
He is remembered as a member of 659 Blagdon Lodge Northumberland Freemasons and B42.32 He is also remembered at Blyth on B42.24
