LS (Seaman Gunner) William Barge was born on 20 August 1891 and baptised at St. James’ Church, West Teignmouth. He was the son of Robert, a fisherman, and Susan Barge of West Teignmouth. In 1911 he was living at 21 Chapel Street with his mother and stepfather. He married Laura Gatting in 1914.

William signed on as a Boy Class II with the Royal Navy on 20 August 1909, he served right through the war until he was killed in the attack by five German seaplanes on HMS C25, on 6 July 1918.

Barge was on the bridge at the time.  Sub Lt COBB scrambled up the conning tower ladder to investigate conditions up top. There he quickly determined that the captain and two of the men were already dead. The remaining man, Leading Seaman William Barge, was still alive, though seriously wounded. “Dive sir!” said Barge, “Don’t worry about me. I’m done for anyway”, his only concern being for the safety of the submarine and his shipmates. If the boat dived before the seaplanes made a sieve of her, she might escape and reach port. The young officer couldn’t bring himself to abandon the man on the bridge and, ignoring Barge’s appeal, manhandled the injured sailor to safety down the narrow, cramped conning tower. Barge died almost as soon as he was deposited on the deck.

He is buried in the Submarine Enclosure at Shotley Churchyard, Suffolk and remembered on the Seafront Memorial and St. James’ Church Memorial Window, Teignmouth.

Two of his brothers were also serving with the Royal Navy.