2011-03-09 10:37
Young sailors often get into spots of bother due to a little alcohol here and there. I, of course, am no exception to this ancient maritime law.A couple of examples illustrate the point (I'… Read More
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2011-03-09 10:35
My last draft before leaving the branch was to Portsmouth. The NBCD (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence) School at HMS Phoenix. It was here that we instructed all branches in these c… Read More
2011-03-09 10:32
So here I am - at HMS Raleigh leadership school, some time during 1975, I think.Leadership school, does what it says in the title. Creates leaders of men - right then - here we go!14 days of… Read More
2011-03-09 10:26
HMS Osprey, Portland, 1980.Now an LMA (Leading Medical Assistant), serving at the Royal Navy airbase that is Portland (another since closed, sadly).I have always been a keen sportsman and ha… Read More
2010-05-28 19:05
So here I am fresh from a year in Gibraltar now just arrived at my next port of call - HMS Osprey, Portland. This is were I was to meet and marry Sue (29 years on and going strong).Man… Read More
2010-05-27 08:44
1978.One last Catalan bay story.I was, of course, a bit of a beach god - rippling muscles, golden tanned body - the works! Um, well, not quite.In reality I was a bit on the thin side … Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
24th May 1982We've just taken up position with the task force in the Total Exclusion Zone (TEZ) in the South Atlantic.There she is - HMS Hermes, the task force's flagship. Sort of gives you… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
Well, here we are, steaming from ascension to the TEZ with more supplies to deliver throughout the fleet.The Leeds Castle from the superstructure to aft is all flight deck - this probably ac… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
16th June 1982. We are acting as the guard ship at Ascension Island.This is particularly boring although the sun shines constantly.A party of us go ashore for a tour of the defence stations… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
HMS Antelope took part in the Falklands War. On May 23, 1982, while Antelope was on air defence duty at the entrance to San Carlos Water, protecting a beachhead established two days earlie… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
Steaming towards Ascension Island from the UK.We have now settled into the routine. There are constant exercises - obviously, very necessary. An effective crew is one that has been well dril… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
23rd July 1982We came alongside the jetty at Grytviken yesterday and spent the day shifting stores - that's what we do! Of course, Grytviken and Leith is where this conflict kicked off. It… Read More
2010-05-27 08:21
1982 in the TEZ, South Atlantic.Well, I'm back were I started these ramblings - I'm in the crows nest again - taking the middle watch duty (midnight to 0400).Again I'm up here keeping lookou… Read More
2010-05-27 08:20
Now here's a strange thing - "Hands to bathe".I witnessed this phenomenon whilst on the Yarmouth in 1984. We were somewhere in the Mediterranean at the time with no land in site.Now I love… Read More
2010-05-27 08:20
If you are single, Xmas in the Navy can be good fun, even when you are working.Here's an example....It's Xmas 1974, I am working on the officers ward at RNH Stonehouse in Plymouth. I have r… Read More
2010-05-27 08:20
RNH Stonehouse 1974Every month or so, can't remember exactly, there would be a new class of nurses arrive for training. This was quite an event for most of the male staff at the hospital … Read More
2010-05-27 08:20
Sometime in 1984I am still serving on HMS Yarmouth. We are now acting as guard ship in the West Indies.So what is a guard ship? Basically the ship's duties are to patrol the islands and to… Read More
2010-05-27 08:20
11th July 1982We are again in the TEZ and spend the day transferring stores to RFA Fort Grange. This was to prove quite an eventful day. The weather was very cold and the seas a little chop… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
1978.Whilst in Gibraltar in 78 I shared a flat on Main St with my mate Pete Wright, another branch member serving at RNH Gib.We had a weeks leave due, so we took of to hitch hike around Spai… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
1978.Another day at Catalan Bay.I had just done a 12 hour night duty in the hospital, a quick dash to my flat, a fried breakfast and then off to spend the day dozing on the beach. Neve… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
1978.Catalan bay is the main beach on Gibraltar - a very popular spot. Particularly with the locals. On a particularly warm, sunny afternoon I was sitting on the sea wall, surveying th… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
26th April 1982We left Rosyth today en route to Portland via Portsmouth then on to the Falklands. Time to properly take in my home for the foreseeable future.This ship is not what I was expe… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
RNAS Yeovilton 1975After the army cadets I was 'properly' drafted to my first shore establishment. Again, oddly, it was an airbase. Yes the Royal Navy does have them. This one was at Yeov… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
Sometime in 1975So here I am, fully trained. I am now an MA (Medical Assistant) ready to take up medical duties wherever I may be drafted. So, will it be a ship, abroad or a shore establis… Read More
2010-05-27 08:18
Promotion in the Royal Navy is, like civvie street, dependent on other people's views.The Navy operates within a divisional system with a divisional officer looking after a group of lower ra… Read More
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