HMS GANGES and Shotley Gate Photo Gallery by Jim Worlding at pbase.com

HMS GANGES and Shotley Gate

For those that do not know the old place please visit the HMS Ganges Museum web site https://www.hmsgangesmuseum.com and if you do know the old place or indeed if your a TROG you will find it interesting and nostalgic.

Also check out my YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPdHtateTzhJdftkDHx7YEQ/videos

This is a link to the HMS Ganges PBase galleries https://pbase.com/hms_ganges_museum/root

I Joined the RN at 15, in May 1965 and spent the next year, with very few breaks, at "the old place" I can't explain why we old boys feel so passionate about the place. After what we went through (yes I know that we had it easy in the 60's) we should be glad to see the back of it. But seeing it in its deliberately derelict and run down state makes me and others I have spoken to very angry.
The Mast is grade 2 listed, but this just means that the owners can not demolish it, they do not have to maintain it. So it is just being left to decay and when the new housing estate, that is on the drawing board, is built the mast will then be dangerous and the owners will get permission to take it down along with the few buildings now left on the site.

UPDATE. Planning permission has at last been granted to develop the old place into a housing estate. Nelson Hall, the P.O.s Mess, Swimming Pool, Main Gates and Mast are all staying and being incorporated into the development. Fingers crossed that the Mast is preserved in some way.

Revisited the old place on the 50th anniversary of our joining 24th May 2015. last few images.
I hope to return again on 6th June when the establishment gates will be open for us old boys, for the last time before the developers move in and start building houses.

Following my visit on the 6th June 2015, a few of us supplied photographs for the production of a DVD. The DVD is for sale at Ł10 with all profits going to the Ganges Museum. We have raised a little over Ł1500 to date.

As a result of the DVD sales I decided I would like to be more involved with the Ganges Museum and I am now doing what I can for them over the internet. The Museum has a near full set of The Shotley Magazines that have (at great cost) been digitised. For a suggested donation of Ł15 we can supply the 3 copies that cover the year old boys spent at the old place.

I am also attempting to gather class lists for the period 1968 to 1976, this is primarily for the National Maritime Museum (NMM) who have Mr. Reg Fisks negatives for that time. Reg Fisk was the official photographer at Ganges. If you attended in these years please get in touch even if you can't remember anyone else I will add your name to the list. This will help the NMM when they start working on the negatives. The list will also be shared with The Ganges Museum, The Ganges Association and the Ganges Facebook Group.

Please email me at jim.worlding@btinternet.com

If you leave a comment asking for people to contact you please leave your contact details if you do not have a Pbase account.

gallery: HMS Ganges revisited 6th June 2015
	L > R Jim Worlding, John Sharp and Stan Sprot 50th anniversary reunion	Stan on the steps leading down to the Enright Block
The Devils Elbow HMS GANGES Mast	Steps down to the foreshore	Steps down to the foreshore
The old Enright Block	The old Enright Block	The old Enright Block
The shipwreck bar	The shipwreck bar	The old running track now a Marina
The old running track now a Marina	The old running track now a Marina	The old running track now a Marina
The old running track now a Marina	The Marina	The Marina
The Marina	O'Bouy	The shipwreck bar
The Marina	O Happy Days (NOT)	Shotley Gate Post Office and Store
The Main Gate	The Mast	IMG_5374-50-47.jpg
IMG_5375-51-48.jpg	IMG_5376-52-49.jpg	IMG_5378-54-51.jpg
The Mast	The Mast	The Mast
The Mast	The Mast	IMG_5386-62-59.jpg
IMG_5387-63-60.jpg	IMG_5388-64-61.jpg	IMG_5389-65-62.jpg
The Mast 2007	The Mast 2015	The Mast 2015
F H &C 2015	The 2nd Pier is no better	summer 67
1965/6 at the bottom of the Long Covered Way	Jim and mess mates at HMS Ganges.jpg	scan0001.9.jpg
scan0003-2.jpg	Pay parade	Clifford Lincoln 1969/70
Shotley Magazine 1969

comment |

Guest		26-Jan-2019 18:54
Hello, To the person who posted the following: "Was in Grenville division 1951/52. An education in co-operation. Doubling around the track, up and down laundry hill. Burned on Indomitable Feb. 1953. Transferred to Canadian Navy 1956. Great life, great memories and it all began at Ganges" My uncle was Kenneth Humphries who was also burned on the Indomitable but unfortunately died due to his injured several days later. I am desperate to find any photos of him or his class at HMS Ganges. Did you know him was he also in Grenville class? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at: lisaapril@live.co.uk Thank you x

David Lincoln		24-Dec-2018 06:06
Thank you Jim, my email address is davidlincoln1@hotmail.co.uk I have since found out that my father Clifford Lincoln did train at HMS Ganges and I do believe he was in the benbow division in 1969. I also believe now that he was in the Rugby team and traveled the world to play Rugby against Fiji but unfortunately they got thrashed by the fijians!!!, he later went on to be stationed at Portsmouth. If anyone remembers my dad he would be great to hear from you. Clifford Lincoln Passed away in October this year Kind regards and a very merry Christmas to all David Lincoln

Jim Worlding		14-Dec-2018 21:32
David, please leave your email add so the lads can contact you. Or if you'd rather keep it private please email me direct at jim.worlding@ntlworld.com as I may be able to help.

Guest		14-Dec-2018 12:16
Hi Everyone, I wonder if anyone can help me out?, i'm trying to piece together if my father Clifford Lincoln trained at HMS Ganges. All I know is that he enlisted around 1968 when he was just 15 years old, he only served for two years until 1970 as I believe he got into trouble with the police. Any help would be greatly received. Regards David Lincoln

Andrew sheedy		24-Nov-2018 07:48
Geoffrey Fitch drake division I was in drake division 32 recruitment Andrew sheedy Swimmer

Jess harper		16-Oct-2018 07:40
Andy harper joined 13th July 1971 22 or 23 recruitment can’ Remember exactly was in Frobisher div can’t remember mess number went on to Cambridge,Tiger,Maidstone,Caroline,Zulu and finally Hydramostly happy mamories of my time there but it was hard of 200 at the start of our time there I believe only 50 went on to serve, in fact I remember 2 at the induction meeting opting out before they even started

Peter Richard Feiler		18-Jul-2018 13:00
Hello. Joined Ganges October 1947. Started as Boy Telegraphist. Retired March 1982 as Lieutenant Commander. Saw service in HMS JUTLAND, HMS LOCH ALVIE, HMS CLEOPATRA, HMS FORTH, HMS GRENVILLE, COMMCEN WHITEHALL, HMS DEFENDER, HMS SCARBOROUGH, HMY BRITANNIA, HMS BARROSA, COMFEF, 9 ANZUK SIGNAL REGIMENT, FOST, HMS RALEIGH. Now aged 86.

Guest		30-Jun-2018 06:06
Hello there m8 yes I was there to in 1972 I thought it was 2 pound a fortnight cant really remember standing in line waiting for your name to be called out and say last 3 numbers of your official book number I was in Anson division

Paddy		08-Jun-2018 15:46
Hi Folks, I joined Ganges in November 1972 (Rodney 42 Recruitment) as a baby Jack Dusty. Just wondering if anyone could settle an argument that I'm having with an old Navy Buddy. I was telling him about having to line up every fortnight to be paid the princely sum of £2.50. Not having been anywhere near Ganges he refuses to believe me. Any sort of confirmation would be very much appreciated.

Guest		04-May-2018 18:24
I went to ganges in nov 1953 blake 5 mess haven't seen anyone mention being put on shotley routine up and down faith hope and charity before breakfast only one boy from our mess went on the trot our class 113 ac was one of the first to go straight to the fleet no training squadron we went H M S Decoy she was out the med and we flew out to join her fr4om Blackbush airport we were one of the ships that went to Leningrad had a good time in the R N Grahame Ridley

Paul Gent		28-Apr-2018 12:47
Hi have just found this site.I joined Ganges July 65 77 recruitment (the monster) started life in the annex Dreadnought mess then moved to the main establishment Rodney 14 mess 41 class.Anyone out there from 40 or 41 class with any photies as mine have all been lost over the years.I was the badge boy of 41 class our instructor was chiefy bains my name is Paul Gent.

joseph collins		18-Mar-2018 17:39
hi Jumper collins joined Ganges Nov 1971, 22 recruitment. good days. wondering if anyone had any photos of then

Ray Lavall		10-Feb-2018 20:28
Hi Jim, just stumbled across this site whilst doing some research, I joined up with you and was in Benbow 27,recognised you from your photo, I believe we had one taken together at some point. I also remember Stan and John,I left Ganges to Raleigh and posting to HMS Loch Fada in Singapore for best part of 18 months, posted with Frank Pyle who was also in our mess. Lovely to see you, so sad about that wonderfull old establishment, love it or hate it there is no deneying it has had a profound effect many young mens lives, mostly for the better I believe. best Regarsd Ray Lavall D086953

Guest		29-Dec-2017 16:02
Saw the posting by Ashley Crisp. I remembered the name straight away.Think you were from Norfolk Ashley. I was in Leopard Mess and then to Drake 37. Like Ashley I found it quite unpleasant for a period but this was softened by my love for sports - soccer and boxing were far less painful! Boxed for Ganges a few times 1962/63 and 2 years later at age 17 boxed for Wales at featherweight. As a Welshman with the initial D. it was thought to be for 'Dai' and wonder if Ashley remembers Terry Vowles, a Brixton boy, who first called me Dai. Became big mates with Terry but lost touch many years ago. I'm sure Ashley recalls our instructors - CPO Basher Bates and PO Frith.

Guest		08-Dec-2017 18:37
Steve Banks was six week wonder joined summer 1973 still remember going up mast haunted laundry sub wreck and tiled poem in swimming pool

Paul (Topsy/Toppo) Tourle		20-Sep-2017 06:07
Going through some old photos and got a bit nostalgic when I found some of the old mast. Joined Ganges in January 1968 (99 Rec) as a greenie and billeted in Benbow 32 mess if memory serves. Left in June 2002 as a CCWEA, Oh happy days.

Guest		01-Aug-2017 21:01
HI JOINED GANGES 1972 FROBISHER PLAYED FOOTBALL AND BOXED LOOKING TO MEET EX MATES ALSO LOOKING TO REPLACE A PICTURE OF GANGES FOOTBALL TEAM AS SEEM TO HAVE MISLAID MINE IF ANY ONE CAN HELP MY EMAIL ADD IS tommyamurray@tiscali.co.uk

Ashley Crisp		21-Jul-2017 09:27
Hi to all. I joined July 1962 First mess was Eagle then on to Drake mess class 917. It wasn't a very pleasant experience for me but I'm sure it put me in good stead for my future years .I now live near Harwich and can see Shotley and the old HMS Ganges from across the water.Good memories but the bad far surpass them . Ashley ( Crispy) Crisp X L/Ck (O)

Lennox Inglis		30-May-2017 09:34
Joined March 1959, Agincourt mess in the Annexe followed by Exmouth 46 mess Seamen. Instructor Petty Officer Jack Cornwall, good Instructor, hard man but fair. Len Inglis Ex Able seaman 1959-70.

pedro matthews		28-Apr-2017 20:35
Pete Matthews (Pedro )67 recruitment Collingwood 35, May 1964.Have just seen a couple of photo,s on Facebook of past and present Ganges,so sad to see our past being ripped up and pulled down,some call it progress, At least they can,t take our memories away. The one thing I did learn was Respect ,which they do not seem to teach them today.

Guest		29-Mar-2017 22:48
breaks your heart to see the state the old ship is in was there in 1968 summer drake mess name is Bill Wilshin number p109502 INSTTRUCTORS WERE P.O HARRIS ANY C.Y BRUCE ANYONE OUT THERE REMBER THEM OR ME

Chris Neylan		29-Mar-2017 13:22
I joined Ganges on 13th August 1968. Started in Tiger mess (Annex)then Keppel Division(Keppel 41 class). The main establishment were on summer leave and, because of that, only one film was left for our entertainment on Sunday afternoons. Sat through(at ease!) Battle of the River Plate four times! I am proud to be a Ganges boy. It was tough, but I learnt self-discipline. Sadly missing in the youth of today. Chris Neylan ex JS (second and first class).

Guest		06-Mar-2017 00:48
I was Ship's Company, as a Writer in both the Captain's Office and Pay Office. Was there from March 1958 to November 1959. Often felt glad that my basic training was well past and I could sympathise with the youngsters. The Captain was RD Franks. My 'bosses' were Chief Writer Wally Stebbings and Chief Writer John Walsh. Always remember the early start on pay days when the boys were going on leave

Guest		03-Mar-2017 15:36
John Myles I was at Ganges November 1962 to November 1963, aged 15. Cannot remember what mess, it was about half way down the Long covered way on the left just past the cig machine. Sorry to see Ganges the way it is now. Hope to pay a visit this year. And to see Laundry Hill, been up and down a few times

Thomas Hogarth		26-Feb-2017 12:56
I joined Ganges in Feb/Mar 1947 and was in Exmouth division, any others still around?

Guest		01-Feb-2017 15:06
I visited Ganges about seven years ago and it was sad to see the sorry state it's in. I joined in August 1968 and was in Keppel Division. Many thanks for a just-discovered site. Chris Neylan SBN 627

tony claxton		27-Jan-2017 13:12
tony claxton ex bunting tosser. I joined ganges in 1952 benbow div in main site yeoman lucas I belive was 231 class happy days

Guest		19-Jan-2017 10:18
I joined ganges in 1970, 20 recruitment thoroughly e joyed my time there,was in the bugle band as principle drummer,so sad how the place has decayed.lots of memories.

Guest		28-Dec-2016 17:44
My dad was a school stationed at Hms Ganges in the mid 60s. Transferred to Hms Raleigh in 64.His name wasLt.Cmdr Hynes.He taught

Guest		17-Dec-2016 00:45
I joined HMS St George 3rd May 1945 (5 days before VE Day) and transfered to HMS Ganges in January 1946 after St George payed off. Mostly happy memories. After a spell in sick bay was back classed from Exmouth to Grenville O2/102. In September 1946 after a spell on work ship the class went on draft and I went to the Med. to join the Liverpool. Anyone still around to remember? Sad how the old place has been slowly destroyed

Bob Guy		08-Nov-2016 13:58
Hi lads.joined ganges may 1972 as JMEM Gordon (BoB) Guy.After n.e.div was in Anson 24 mess.just wondered what my old mates were up to.Jimmy Craw,Ken Grieveson,Graham(budgie)Barlow.great laughs.often think of the good times.tear fills my eye when i see the old place now,

Denis C		29-Oct-2016 11:43
Was here in 1965! It was tough but got through it and in many ways it made me what I am today. Many fond memories and sad memories but life goes on, it is a shame to hear and see that the mast is in such a stste of disrepair. MY ships in the subsequent years we Delight Chichester Minerva and finally Antrim with spells at Northwood and Whitehall.

John Knight		27-Oct-2016 20:33
Does anyone remember my brother-in-law, Sub Lt Peter Keenan who was on the staff at HMS Ganges in the mid 1960s?

Robert Nelson		09-Aug-2016 19:07
I started my naval stint in Ganges 1964 Benbow division class 120 as jme2 INstructer was chme Rowlet .Spent a whole year there before heading to Raliegh ,then to my fist ship Type 15 frigate HMS Troubridge.Had a hard but useful time at ganges and remember it well . My last ship was HMS Gurkha about 1972 .

Jim Worlding		14-Jan-2016 18:52
Guys, Sorry but if you leave a message it will not show until I make it public. I will do this as long as it's an OK message. Some people have left stupid messages so I had to do this. Also if you want someone to contact you please leave your details or you can email me. My email is on my profile page.

Guest		14-Jan-2016 13:06
Just read a message , was gobsmacked l joined May 25th 1965 in Rodney 12 mess scary or what !!

John Gibson		27-Dec-2015 10:26
I was in Blake 8 mess 1965 76 recruitment. Then to Hms st Vincent portsmouth. First ship HMS Ashanti. 1966 to 1968.

Guest		27-Dec-2015 01:34
Was in Grenville division 1951/52. An education in co-operation. Doubling around the track, up and down laundry hill. Burned on Indomitable Feb. 1953. Transferred to Canadian Navy 1956. Great life, great memories and it all began at Ganges. John McAllan.

Tom Johnston		17-Dec-2015 03:59
Was in Hawke division 1955/56, After one year at Ganges I considered it a head start on the rest of my life.

Guest		26-Nov-2015 10:43
guest joined 1965 May25th Rodney division 12 mess happy days for me

Guest		10-Nov-2015 19:52
I joined 26th april 66 as a jme2

Guest		18-Aug-2015 21:28
very sad to see I was at ganges in 71/72 in drake division going on to hms Keppel my first ship ending up with the hermes in the falklands in 82 where one of my friends from ganges andy mullins was killed on hms ardent . as I tell everyone today ganges turned you from a boy to a man. Geoffrey Fitch

vic		12-May-2015 16:16
great to see this ..... especially as we were there at the same time ......glad to see you are as nostalgic as me ......6th june is a shotley open day hope to see many ex ganges boys there

Rick Clark		02-May-2015 14:07
Hi, I was in Blake 6 Mess in 1965. I can remember PO Mick Sullivan. I also thought PO Steen was there with Mick I remember a Patterson, a Grint and an Evans. Sorry, can't remember their Christian names. Arthur (Now Rick) Clark - D086954

Jim Worlding		12-Apr-2015 09:55
Hi Doc, We joined on the same day, on moving to the main establishment I was in Benbow 27 mess, last one on the left at the bottom of the long covered way. Ganges has got a very good group on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/hmsganges come and join us and share a dit or two.

Guest		11-Apr-2015 09:11
I see they have finally covered up Faith Hope and Charity. I have a few good memories of the place. nice to see that one of my old messmates is still going. taff stinchcombe and I joined on 25 may 1965 I think we were both in Leander mess in the annexe. moving over to the main we were in Blake 6 mess along with A J jones, Dave Long(sadly passed too early) Hughy Grint, J D Byrth(sadly passed) Dave Clark and the rest of a brilliant motley crew. it was the guys who got you through. Doc Martin D086929V

Jim Worlding		29-Mar-2015 11:53
This is a link to the details of the planning consenthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-32070647

Jim Worlding		29-Mar-2015 11:51
Last week planning permission finally got approved for the building of 285 houses, a 60 bed hotel etc; on the site. Plans include using Nelson hall and other buildings for the community, but more important from my own point of view the owners/developers have promised to refurbish the mast and re-erect it in it's current location. The bit I don't like is the time scale. From what I understand the refurb will be done after the first 130 homes have been sold and that is expected to be in 7 years (2022). Going by the condition the mast is in at the moment I don't think it will last another 5 years. I am planning to visit Shotley on May 24th and hope to post some more photos soon after the visit.

David Attoe (RO2)		28-Mar-2015 17:51
Funny (or maybe not) nobody ever admitted nor admits to having been a Ganges Junior Instructor in The Annex. A grass field last time I saw it. I joined May 1965 too. I think I remember it nostalgically because I was so glad to get out. But everybody's right - that concentration camp was the making of me as well, as it turned out. Sailed on Hydra, Blake, Plymouth and Dundas.

Guest		19-Feb-2015 20:31
Hi I joined 22 February 1966 as JME 2 class left November 1900 as a C P O M A 82 recruitment From the Isle of Man. Mikedolan21 @hotmail.com

Paul Gwilliam		16-Dec-2014 00:55
Message to Bruce Fawcett. Are you the same Bruce that was in Grenville Division 23 mess? I was transfered to that mess from 22 as Badge Boy in '63 Regards Paul

Bruce Fawcett		14-Dec-2014 15:18
I would like to know the name of the guy who joined in March 1963. I did with 57 recruitment Grenville 57. Bruce Fawcett. L/073084. Ex J.I

Guest		07-Dec-2014 09:59
Clive Harper HMS Gangees 1971 Anson division just leaving a message wondering what my old mates are getting up to .Especially (BONGO) and (SNIFFY) Daniel Stevens and Ian Smithhurst its a shame what's happened to Gangees But nothing good lasts forever even though the place is gone my memories will always be with me clivereprah@hotmail.com

Guest		19-Aug-2014 22:02
mick newton I joined ganges October 8 1963 drake 82 mess happy days tough but it was the making of mefor the rest of my days

Richard Munday		12-Aug-2014 21:51
I joined Ganges on the 5th Nov 1974. The best thing I ever did. It was great to be away from home getting stuck in to the routine and to mix with lads from so many different parts if the uk. I loved the fact you vould eat as much as you liked and all the sport was brilliant. I think I joined as a boy and left as someone on the way to being a man.

Guest		04-Dec-2013 22:23
I joined March 12th 1963. Grenville Division, 57 reruitment. J.I Leopard Mess. It breaks my heart to see these photos. Ganges made me. When you see the masses of money thrown away and wasted its criminal and an insult to all serving and ex naval personnel.

Jim Worlding		26-Sep-2013 19:34
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Guest		26-Sep-2013 15:46
If anyone remembers JSM John Garvey( from St.Helens..Lancs) who was stationed with me JSM Alan Johnson at Ganges in 1996 and kipped in Blake 6 please get in touch,he was also Ganges boxing champ I think during that same year.

Taff Stinchcombe		06-Sep-2013 08:30
I was in Blake 6 mess in 1965, 76 recruitment, our instructors were POs Mick Sullivan and Mick Shalders, I recently read Peter Broadbents book about the old place and all the memories came flooding back, it's so sad to see the state it's now in

Guest		04-Sep-2013 08:54
I've just started delving into my Dad's naval past, and went to the Ganges Museum last weekend. I was shocked to see the state of the mast and the site overall. Dad would have been really sad to see it now. He joined Ganges in 1938 and was in the Royal Navy for 25 years. Does anyone remember him? His name was Pete Emmines. Unfortunately he died years ago aged only 57.

Guest		07-Aug-2013 06:24
Joined Ganges September 1955. After the spell at the Annexe joined Blake 7 Mess. Our instructors were CPO "Pusser" Brotherton and PO Parham. Pusser was the smartest, most knowlegable Chief I ever met in my 20 years in the RN. I truly value his input in my young life. Yes Ganges was tough but then their boast was always "We'll take you as boys and send you to the fleet as men"... and by the cringe they meant it. So sad to see the place so neglected. All that parquet floor polishing wasted!!

acko atkinson		18-Jun-2013 17:14
joined ganges 1955. 292 class blake 9 mess. during making of the film Amathyst I was put onboard with a 615 portable to keep comms with the shore when a charge during filming had buckled some plates & divers had to be put down. spent 24 hrs onboard & met Herbert Wilcox & his wife Anna Neagle. they spliced the mainbrace but didn't include me.

Guest		28-Apr-2013 09:38
I'm afraid it's always the same when a military establishment closes. It closes to save government money so, as soon as the gate closes it is "job done" and the treasury is content. What happens thereafter is not important to them and if the site is sold to a private concern all the better, it's more money into the treasury coffers. I live next to and worked on RAF Coltishall, the same has happened there. All those memories lost and gone, very sad. All you gentlemen have my admiration, I am a child of the 50s and I watched many times the lads ascending the mast. I just wish I had the resolve and mental strength to have attended HMS Ganges, I envy the careers and brotherhood you all must have had.

Guest		17-Mar-2013 10:24
My father, Robert Allin ( apparently knowns as 'sneering Bobby, wanted for murder') was an RPO at Ganges in 1957. I was six years old at the time but still remember the lads going up the mast and the filming of 'Yangtse Incident' with Richard Todd. They used our cat as the ship's cat in the film and my father was used as an extra in the film

Guest		26-Nov-2012 18:42
I am still in touch with one of my instructors from 1957. He is currently residing in Australia - and I am almost 71. Peter French is his name, which reminds me that I will have to phone him up before Christmas. PO French was a good instructor and treated all boys fairly and with respect and PO French won that respect back. I am still trying to contact a few old mates of mine: Robin Hodge, Roger Green, and Cyril Stapleton to mention but three. Most times at Ganges were happy times, but there was a few hiccups and I remember doing a stint of Number 9 punishment, yeah, and the 303 rifle above my head. But when I come to think about it - it kept one fit. My first seagoing ship was HMS Mounts Bay, with a further few weeks on HMS Ceylon, then there was the Duncan, Hermes, Lochinvar, Cochrane, Pembroke, Victory Barracks (at least three times.

Guest		14-Jun-2012 12:32
I was a RALEIGH lad but it breaks my heart to see what has happened to the ROYAL NAVY and ganges .my schoolmate William cattel joined ganges in 1965.great photos and memories for the ganges boys

Guest		02-May-2010 13:41
oh the days gone by! I first heaved up as a trog 1966, short covered way, what a place. Homesick and scared 15 years old. Place was a concentration camp really, still it taught me to put up and shut up! Sad days missed shame the place has gone so badly

Guest		22-Oct-2007 12:59
One evening, about 65 years ago, my father who was a trog at the time, got drunk and climbed to the top of Shotley mast and played his piano accordeon. The commanding officers were lenient, considering his stupidity to contain an element of bravery. His accordeon later saved his life by cushioning the blast of a german shell that penetrated the hull of his ship, the HMS Eskimo which was patrolling in a Norwegian Fjord. Years later he became chief of the parade ground and was known as "Rosie" Price.

Clive Glaister		20-Aug-2007 20:04
You're right, Oh happy days (not) - It only seems not so long ago that I was manning the mast for parents day - So sad to see it like this, and all in the name of progress! (allegedly). My first sea going draft chit being HMS Triumph and the last one HMS Reclaim Clive ex: L/Stwd P117613W.

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