Thursday 4 September 2014

My Father Was the Captain of the Eddystone Light

Encountered a Mermaid One Fine Night
Yo Ho Ho Let the Wind Blow Free
Oh For A Life On the Rolling Sea!
 While Hugh and Janet jet-off for Oman to celebrate their 30th Wedding Anniversary, I too am reminiscing today over the past 53 years (where the hell did they go). It was on this day, all those years ago, that as a fresh faced 15 year old I joined the Royal Navy.
A CLASS of '61
My last year at school was at Broadwey Secondary Modern, Weymouth now known as Wey Valley, 12 months I would just sooner forget. However, it was along with some fine Classmates, with my best friends then being Alan Evans (3rd from right) and John Lowman between Alan and myself. Alan died as a result of a motorbike accident and I don't believe I've clapped eyes on any of the others since.
From Broadwey School to the gates of
 HMS St VINCENT
Boy's Training Ship in Gosport, Hampshire.
 The austere Victorian Barracks that would be 'home' for the next year.
 437 Class
New Entries
all lads from a similar, humble, background as myself.
 Time doesn't allow to describe how anyone gets from Schoolboy
to wearing this uniform correctly.
PAINSTAKING
comes nowhere near!
 SUNDAY 'DIVISIONS'
The whole ships company on parade.
 MAN (BOY) ING the MAST
a compulsory and important part of character building.
 Long way down Son!
 Main Course
Anchors and Cables Training
I have only ever encountered 2 of this 'mottley crew' since those days. Clive (Topsy) Tone, 6th recruit from left, who attained his Yacht Masters Ticket, pushing Sail Training Vessels around the world for most of his working life while a resident of Weymouth. Mick (Huck) Hutley, the black lad behind the capstan, who I served, both at Vincent and 2 sea-going ships, with for a total of 5 years becoming inseparable 'shipmates' in the process. Fortunately, I still see Huck when both of us are on home soil.
 First Leave
Back in Weymouth for Christmas after 4 months,
it was to be my last in England for 5 years.
 A First Achievement 
having mastered the skill of passing 'orders' by means of a 
Bosun's Pipe 
we were then known as 
'Call' Junior Seamen.
Among much other training there was
 SAILING
on this occasion to the Isle of Wight
 and
GUNNERY
on leaving St Vincent I qualified as an ASDIC (now SONAR)
Operator and while ashore I was mostly a
 MOD
(wouldn't want to be one of those 'smellie' Rockers would you?)
with my Aunt in Nottingham
 With the eldest of my 2 sisters on
Weymouth Seafront,
 and with my Mother and both sisters.
I later became the 'Hairless Hippy', the Service was extremely
strict reference 'haircuts', and later the
HIPPY at Marks and Spencers.
13 years ago my then Lady Friend made me this cake
to celebrate 40 years at sea.
Finally, in this section at least, I am only too happy to promote
the Blog of my Mate and fellow Wildlifer
STEVE SMITH'S BLOG 
 I promise you will enjoy a look BUT....
NO DEFECTING!!
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