|
Click on the link above to go the listed page
|
|
|
HMS UNDAUNTED
Click on Ships Crest To Sign the Guest Book |
|
|
Big John's Career Page HMS Raleigh January 1964 - May 1964
I joined the Royal Navy in January 1964 at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint East Cornwall. I was what Ganges and St Vincent boys called a '16 week wonder'. I did one week in new entry then 6 weeks 'Part I' Training' in Anson Division - Class 102, then 10 weeks in 'Part II' in Jellico Division - Class 902. Our Instructor was PO Hampson. We Passed out in May 1964, I joined as Junior Seaman 2nd Class No SQ I left as a Junior Seaman 1st Class SQ Seaman Gunner, Onto HMS Cambridge for basic training, Wage on joining £5 per fortnight. On completion of training £6. (I bet we would all like a 20% increase today).
HMS Cambridge 10th May 1964 - 12th May 1964
After passing out from Raleigh on Sunday 9th May 64 I was drafted to HMS Cambridge for basic (as it turned out) gunnery training. We joined on Monday 10th May and was drafted to HMS Eagle on Wednesday 12th May. I joined as a J.S.1( S.G.) and left the same, nice place though no gate. HMS Eagle 12th May 1964 - 1966
I joined the Big 'E' (HMS Eagle) on Wednesday 12th May at Devonport, she had just completed a multi million pound refit. I was put in the Juniors Mess 6H with about 60 other 'skins'. We did 'Sea Trails' and then 'Workup' at Portland. We sailed East of Suez in December 1964 arriving in Mombassa on Xmas Eve (I was duty watch). During the 6 months away we visited, Singapore, Hong Kong, Subic Bay, Aden, Malta and Gibraltar, arriving back at Devonport in May 1965 for 3 months leaving for East of Suez for 12 months in the August, the 'Airy Fairies' wanted our Mess so we moved to 6U2 Mess. During this time we did the 'Biera Patrol', setting a post war record of 81 days at sea, hard on a hot blooded young crew, still lots of dosh saved for good runs ashore. All the usual visits on this deployment, Xmas 1965 in Mombassa (again). On the way back home we stopped in Beirut, (nice place at the that time). Arrived back in Devonport in August 1965, drafted to the 'Tyne' Reserve Fleet in January 1967, left HMS Eagle in December 1966, 42 days leave before joining Tyne. Joined HMS Eagle as a J.S1 (S.G) left as A/B (S.G*).
Tyne Reserve Fleet January 1967
I was on the 'Tyne' for about 3 months 'night spraying party' with Taff Webster - dank draft. Joined and left as A/AB (S.G*) on to the 'Island'. HMS Excellent Whale Island April 1967 - July 1967
I joined HMS Excellent - Whale Island - in April 1967 for my 2's Course, on joining we had to do 3 weeks training for a Royal Guard in London - Inspected by HRH Prince Philip, the training was so long because we had to learn (and all the GI's all about the 'new' SLR, first guard in the Royal Navy to use them. On completion on to 2's Course, 1st day, 'parade training' after we had just done 3 weeks of it. Left after passing as FC2 in July 1967 drafted to HMS Drake.
1967
I only spent 2 months in HMS Drake in 1967, I was barrack guard - another dank draft. HMS Undaunted September 1967 -
I joined HMS Undaunted in September 1967 in Portsmouth, all that training at the 'Island' to join a Type 15 with a 4" and a 40/60. The 4" to be removed before Xmas in Chatham. My action station was 'Right Load' on the 40/60 - WOW!! We were Captain 'D' Portland Training Squadron, and 'Day Running' out of Portland. At the start it was a low part of my time in the 'Andrew', my first day job was Gunner's Yeoman, but soon fell out with a few Senior Rates and Officers and ended up with a job change to the Ship's Laundry where I worked for 15 months 'blue card job', home to Bristol every weekend, great stuff. I lived in the Gunners Mess (9 Mess) in our Mess we had the Canteen Assistant and 1 TAS (W) the rest of us were Gunners. When I joined I was kipping in a 'Mick' - great in ruffers, a later refit in Chatham put me in a bunk. I grew to enjoy my time in the 'Unwanted' and had some great oppo's, and That is why I started this web site. - 30 months in the F53 and onto HMS Osprey.
I joined HMS Osprey in April 1970, my first job was at the Sailing Centre by the Heli port. I learned how to sail 'Bosun Dingies' there, and then taught the PO in charge of the Sailing Centre, he came from Yeovil in Somerset. I then went to the 'Army School of Catering' at Aldershot and trained for 'Ship's Butcher'. After passing the 3 weeks course I became 'Ship's Butcher' in HMS Osprey - another 'blue card job', Great ! I was sad to leave HMS Osprey but moved on to the 'The Fighting 101' - HMS Yarmouth, where I made some 'Life Long Oppo's'. The only pics I have of HMS Osprey are where she is falling down, any body got any??
HMS Yarmouth
January 1971 - December 1971 I joined the 'Duck' HMS Yarmouth in 1971 at Portsmouth, and soon made some good oppo's all but one still in contact with, 'Titch Arnell' we lost contact some years ago, if any body knows his first name and / or his whereabouts please email me. He joined the R.N. at HMS Ganges 95 recruitment on the 14th August 1967. I was 'Ship's Butcher' for a while until I fell out with the Chief Cook, he made one of his oppo's a leading cook Butcher, and I returned to Seaman duties - no 'blue card' (it hurt but I'm ok now). We went into refit at Rosyth in the summer, during which time the ships company moved into HMS Cochrane, we had some great runs ashore up there. on completion of refit we went to Portland for Workup, it was like coming home again after my 30 months in the Undaunted. In April of this year my Father died so I put in for D by P (discharge by purchase), it cost me £100, at the time I felt ok about it, but when you come out you miss your oppo's. Civvy friends are not on the same wave length. My last foreign run was Madeira, we hired a car to get around, but I was a bit sad knowing it was my last one. I left the 'Duck' at the end of December 1971, leave and draft to RNB Portsmouth for release.
RNB Portsmouth December 1971 Joined on the Monday left the Royal Navy Wednesday, why did I feel so sad?? do we all feel like that??? I only have this pic of RNB, any body got one of the main gate when it was HMS Victory???? If yes can you e-mail it to me Please???
|
|
|
|
|
-stern.jpg)
Send mail to
General Information
with questions or comments about this web
site.
|