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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