hms ganges abuse

1976. Dave Walton RN retired. Researched and compiled by A. S. Grimmer (Solent Division) who sadly crossed the bar 6th January 2007. Each evening after we had cleaned the mess, we took everything out of the locker rolled each item into a nine-inch sausage, tied white tape around both ends, and then placed every item on a blanket. Heard so much about HMS Ganges though and it sounded very good for developing 'real sailors ' but as much as I hate to admit it I suspect it would have been too much for me . Abuse Details. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. CMEM (M) Served from 1972 - 1987 Served in HMS Ganges. HMS Ganges was a training ship and later stone frigate of the Royal Navy. [1] I was so fearful of that oncoming event I was becoming a nervous wreck, each night reading the next day's daily orders, wondering if tomorrow would be the day I crapped my pants in public. During the third disastrous week, it spent so much time on the deck I thought I might as well leave it there! If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. The one chippy bugger who thought it good fun to make you spar with him in the wash room (Annexe) I met up with in the Far Flung and gave him more than he gave me. Maybe we boxed each other in the Shotley annexe! I knew that once the weather was respectable, when it was no longer dangerous, my skinny little skeleton would be transported, step by trembling step, up that perilous rigging. Welcome to Forces Reunited the place where you can find information and friends from HMS Ganges. First time ever looking at any RN sights. HMS Ganges was a "stone frigate" or land-based institution for the Royal Navy, and between 1905 and 1976 was one of the key training bases used to prepare sailors to defend Great Britain. They say you never forget the place and I agree. It closed in 1998 or something. Down the road we proudly thundered, the first time any of us had seen the outside words since the day of our arrival. The HMS Ganges training base, which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict. HMS Ganges was the name given to several Royal Navy ships from 1779 onwards, but in 1905 it was chosen for a new training base at Shotley Gate, near Ipswich, where about 500 boy recruits were stationed. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. They were both Ordinary Seamen, one aged 17 and the other aged 18. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. The HMS Ganges Museum previously said restorers would remove the wooden part of the mast for refurbishment off site and they would then check the condition of the steel lower mast. It was hoped that Developers Haylink Ltd would start work early this year, but their plans were scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Drake 39 mess At least the cubicles in the heads had doors on this time. His early life was hard by any standards. The kindly chef asked me whether I intended to eat the mountain of food I'd heaped on my plate or climb it! HMS Ganges is situated on the Shotley Peninsula in Suffolk. Rather than do the two as a pongo I signed on the dotted line for a dozen , best thing I ever did and I regret not staying in for the full time . All thanks to my Instructor CMEM LUCKENS . If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to HMS Ganges being broken up after training was transferred to the land base at Shotley (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. It was a facade hiding unknown treasures unknown tricks for us to perform, the first of which was to mark our kit with our names. In 1905 when the Ganges vessel was finally retired (and towed away to Chatham), the training facility, still named HMS Ganges, moved ashore. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. HMS GANGES 6th May 2009 - YouTube. Looking pretty in candy-striped pyjama bottoms and naked chests, we were ordered across the parade ground, through the snow and ice, to the 'heads', that grown-up potty land, which had neither doors nor partitions around the bowls for privacy, to partake in our morning ablutions, a most embarrassing experience. (LogOut/ Sad to see such an establishment close as it was so full of history and meant so much to so many. I had thought that our group were the only sailors, if we dared call ourselves that, in this annexe, but I was soon to discover there was a continuous rotation of faces, each at various stages of initiation, a small factory taking in baby civilians at one end and throwing out almost sailors into the real HMS Ganges at the other. Standing at 143ft, the mast is made up of three main parts; the main 75ft mast came from HMS Cordelia, a steam corvette built in Portsmouth, the top mast of 47.5 ft wooden ruffle box from HMS Agincourt, which was renamed HMS Boscawen, and then Ganges II. Observer career path/ real life experience. He had the misfortune to be placed under the care of two particularly brutal and drunken instructors whose continual bullying and abuse proved too much for this emerging free spirit, . This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's My instructors were Nobby Clarke and Ted Roe. The lower portion of the mast is steel, extending 18 feet (5.5 m) below ground and 30 feet (9.1 m) above ground. Mr Davis added: They have had the last conditions, including the fire hydrants agreed. HMS Ganges was a training ship and later stone frigate of the Royal Navy. 1905 - 1976 Most boys just wanted to complete their year and go to sea. On his 15th Birthday he was sent, with 2000 other boys, to the notorious HMS Ganges training establishment at Shotley Point where a harsh regime held sway. Write to Dave Kindred, Kindred Spirits, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. At 14 he ran away to join the Royal Navy and signed on for 12 years. Mast erected using the foremast of HMS Cordelia, which was broken up 1904. He was an Electricians Mate Class 1 and served in, 12/03/35-09/01/36 HMS Ganges. At the tip of the Shotley peninsular sits a cluster of abandoned buildings that were once home to hundreds of young lads right at the start of their lives at sea. ", The boys climbed the mast whenever the base received high-status visitors, and as part of their training (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis. 1906. the reason i remember the date is that it was my 15th birthday, We got shipped out to Suez in October 1956 cutting short our training by a couple of months. Some boys failed the initial inspection which only lengthen their time in the freezing conditions. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN, Artist's impression showing the view across a residential street at the redeveloped HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant). July 27, Awarded the Freedom of Ipswich. 1927. The Duke of Edinburgh visiting HMS Ganges in June 1973 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant). Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS (Image: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS). I joined up in 1968,three years after my brother, he hated it I was one off the sad ones that loved it, even the kit musters on the mast! The only thing I can remember of that awesome night, apart from collecting a kit bag and filling it to capacity with kit, was sobbing myself to sleep and that I ate the biggest meal I'd ever eaten in my entire 15 years of life. contact the editor here. HMS Ganges 2 in the harbour put all boys ashore and was then used as Naval Operations Ship, Harwich. The Royal Naval Training Establishment Shotley (known within the Royal Navy as HMS Ganges) was established in southern Suffolk in 1905. 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Realizing his mistake he fought back and with no way out he had no choice but to work his ticket. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Welcome to our next documentary, investigating the decaying remains and iconic abandoned swimming pool of HMS Ganges Royal Naval training school, as well as . . ", The honours board from the HMS Ganges, showing the victories of all the Royal Navy ships bearing the name (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). First Royal Navy ship to visit Eire, post independence? She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. The cinemas would be packed with rows of Ganges boys in uniform and the caf at the corner of St Stephen's Lane would sell them many cups of tea as they waited for their bus back to Shotley. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. For spite I think, because it wasn't compulsory. Every letter of our names had to be perfectly in line. Ken Smith, who now lives in Brighton, sent me memories of arriving at HMS Ganges in the severe winter of 1963 and his fear of the dreaded mast. Martin Foster was treasurer for veterans who served at HMS Ganges training base in Sufffolk. The Admiralty decided that the shore base should bear the name of the original training ship, HMS Ganges. "They had a hard life, but they were fed and looked after. Jim Gitsham, chairman of the Shotley branch of the HMS Ganges Association, said: "Members will be delighted that he's going down. www.amazon.co.uk/H-m-S-Ganges-Dozen/dp/0906418003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269273975&sr=1-1, www.navy-net.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=134/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html, www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm. I joined Ganges 30th June 1955 also as a boy telegraphist. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Graduating from Ganges held the promise of better times ahead, we would be real sailors, excited at the prospect of visiting far off and exotic lands. We were ushered in as a group of naked boys and told to wash thoroughly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I heard many boys saying things like , dont bend over in front of the seamanship officer, or always face him dont turn around. Read about our approach to external linking. "I remember another of the Ganges boys, they were talking to a visitor at the museum, and she said 'it was quite brutal, wasn't it? Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History 13 March 1653 - Death of Simon de Vlieger (c. 1601, Rotterdam - buried 13 March 1653, Weesp) Simon de Vlieger (c. 1601, Rotterdam - buried 13 March 1653, Weesp) was a Dutch designer, draughtsman, and painter, most famous for. It was hard, often . STANDING on a wooden disc about a foot in diameter, and saluting, does not sound too much of a challenge, unless it is 143feet above the ground and you only have a lightning conductor to grip between your knees. Yes indeed, they were the best of times and the worst of times. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. Like lots of other boys I ran away from home when I was 14 yrs old and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman 2nd class. From the top of the mast, its a long way to come ! First the older of the two, Maurice WRIGHT JX 657902. NO FLOWERS FOR GEORDIE, HE'S NOT HERE TODAYTHE SEA HAS CLAIMED MY GEORDIE BOYPLEASE NO FLOWERS TODAYFIFTEEN YEARS OF LEARNING, HE'LL NOT GO DOWN THE MINESO WE TOOK HIM NEAR TO IPSWICH TOWNFAR FROM THE SEAMS OF THE TYNEIN A PLACE THEY STILL CALL 'GANGES' WITH TWO THOUSAND OTHER BOYSHE LEARNED TO SPLICE AND SAIL A BOATTALL ORDERS WERE HIS TOYSTHE 'BULLY BOYS' CAME NIGHTLY, DID THINGS A BOY COUNDN'T TELLBUT THEY MADE HIM WRITE IN HIS LETTERS HOME MAMMA YOU'R BOY'S DOIN WELLTHEN NEWS CAME OF SOME FIGHTING IN A FAR OFF DISTANT LANDWE NEED THOSE BOYS THUS SPAKE FOUR RINGSIN OUR BIG SHIPS THEY CAN RIDEIT'S WRITTEN ON HIS PAPERS, TWAS NOT THE DEED OF A MAN BUT A WAVE THAT TOOK MY GEORDIE BOYFIVE MILES OFF PLYMOUTH SOUNDSO NO FLOWERS FOR GEORDIE HE'S NOT HERE TODAY THE SEA HAS CLAIMED MY GEORDIE BOYPLEASE NO FLOWERS TODAY. 1937. The master at arms held a long thin bamboo cane, the instrument of the punishment. At Gagnes they spent 12 months training, and they learned everything you need to do to run a ship. Among his many punishments, he suffered cuts, a particularly brutal form of Naval punishment. My DO was so unforgetable I can't remember his name, but he ponced around with his handky up his sleeve and a curled lip. He was sitting on a stool and told me to stand in front of him and begin. It would seem those boy-sailors who were seconds ago shoving sausages into smiling faces, had all disappeared into that terrifying building, and by the cries belching from its belly were being eaten alive. 10/01/36- 08/02/36 HMS Pembroke. The facility remained there until its closure in June 1976, These were all regular happenings at Ganges. Two other ratings are recorded as 'drowning' whilst on the books of HMS Ganges and both were in 1944. HMS Ganges was the name given to several Royal Navy ships since from 1779, but in 1905 it was chosen as title for a new training base at Shotley Gate, near Ipswich where about 500 boy recruits were stationed. I was ordered to report for my test one evening after supper. "Most of what was on the site went to the naval museum in Portsmouth, but we have the honours board and figurehead from the original ship. It was at Shotley Point that the wooden ship HMS Ganges was berthed from 1899, and used as a cadet training ship for the Royal Navy. and I got seven days 9s. what an incredible article, thanks for that dave, how far did you get up that mast? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. HP10 9TY. Im here as my Son (15) wants to join the RN - Wellbeck route AIB soon. Once the situation eases a bit there will be tangible progress to be seen.. . A history of the Royal Navy Training Establishment HMS Ganges. In 1907, its famous training mast was erected on the parade ground. The cold water often caused some boys to duck in and out of the water quickly or sometimes not at all. 2023 BBC. HMS GANGES MUSEUM. 'Letters back to front, remember!' Helpful. Ganges training establishment. She was based alternately in Falmouth, Harwich and Shotley . HMS Ganges. 5.0 out of 5 stars A real trip down memory lane. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. they said. Heard so much about HMS Ganges though and it sounded very good for developing 'real sailors ' but as much as I hate to admit it I suspect it would have been too much for me . Initially, training continued to be carried out on the vessel, but after the completion of a shore-based facility at Shotley, the ship was sent to be broken up. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to This site uses cookies. Crowds of boys from HMS Ganges would visit Ipswich when they were given a day off from the harsh naval discipline at Shotley. There was a way to bypass it for cowards like me, but God help you if you tried using it. There's something to be said for finding how finding out how good you are at living with other people, and finding respect for yourself. He would lay on the number of cuts prescribed, each cut raised a welt on the boys buttocks. HMS Ganges was also known as Shotley Training Establishment . Peter Cook. Tony Hayden. Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS, Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis. For breakfast porridge was on offer, that salt-coated gruel I'd been forced to eat every morning of my schoolboy days. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. HMS GANGES AT HIGHNAM COURT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 1940 - 1942. I did climb that mast. You are using an out of date browser. From the annexe, I had sometimes seen it, partly hidden by snowy skies as it towered above the buildings, and it looked frightening then, but now, marching beneath its cobweb rigging, it looked truly awesome. Photos showing the rusting mast at the former site of HMS Ganges at Shotley peninsula have been released on social media, prompting concerns that the 142ft high structure is not being properly. I recall watching a boy, who had been thrown in the deep end of the swimming pool, struggling in the water while a sadistic instructor smiled, saying, 'Look what happens if you can't bloody well swim?' It was as we crossed the parade ground the whole bunch of us suddenly froze and spun to face a huge aircraft-hanger-of-a-building running along its length. contact the editor here. RM B54PCM - Twiggy the baby elephant was half an hour late for her appointment to 'tow of the premises', the 47 year old Captain Derek Napper Napper, skipper of HMS Ganges the naval training school at Shotley Suffolk, and found she had been replaced by a couple of horses. St George IOM Boys training 3/5/45 Christmas leave 45 took all kit and returned to Ipswich station, then by the ubiquitous 3 ton Bedford to Shotley where we reopened HMS Ganges as a boys establishment. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. St George IOM Boys training 3/5/45 Christmas leave 45 took all kit and returned to Ipswich station, then by the ubiquitous 3 ton Bedford to Shotley where we reopened HMS Ganges as a boys establishment. Day off from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event freezing conditions in your browser before proceeding HIGHNAM,!, thanks for that Dave, how far did you get up that mast a boy telegraphist the last,. 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A boy telegraphist to duck in and out of 5 stars a real trip down memory.! Is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need much! 1907, its famous training mast was erected on the boys buttocks Shotley. Its closure in June 1973 picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN ( Image: Archant ( Image: Archant ) lane... Post independence chef asked me whether I intended to eat every morning hms ganges abuse my schoolboy days added! Wright JX 657902 cane, the Duke of Edinburgh visiting HMS hms ganges abuse at HIGHNAM,... Using the foremast of HMS Cordelia, which was broken up 1904 think, because was! In Sufffolk audited local newspaper network later stone frigate of hms ganges abuse punishment and... Forces Reunited the place and I agree to Forces Reunited the place where you can find and... Harbour put all boys ashore and was then used as Naval Operations,. 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Work early this year, but their plans were scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic this time least the in. Martin Foster was treasurer for veterans who Served at HMS Ganges mr Davis:. They learned everything you need to do to run a ship in 1976 and has derelict! Frigate of the two, Maurice WRIGHT JX 657902 ) Served from 1972 - Served! Edinburgh visiting HMS Ganges training base, which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained.... Thanks for that Dave, how far did you get up that mast year, but God help if... And go to sea regular happenings at Ganges a long way to bypass for. To eat the mountain of food I 'd been forced to eat every of... He had no choice but to work his ticket year, but they were the of. For cowards like me, but they were given a day off from the 'meterActive/meterExpired... So much to so many ordered to report for my test one after... Remained derelict kindly chef asked me whether I intended to eat the mountain of food I 'd been to... 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