Read about our approach to external linking. I heard many boys saying things like , dont bend over in front of the seamanship officer, or always face him dont turn around. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. 1905 to 1976 saw 150,000 recruits pass through HMS Ganges. It began snowing on Boxing Day. 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. #42. I had already taught myself to swim. Dave Walton RN retired. From it came bloodcurdling cries of command, so frightening that I most surely would have obeyed them myself, if had I understood what they meant. BBC Blue Peter presenter John Noakes attempted to climb to the top of the mast. He was an Electricians Mate Class 1 and served in, 12/03/35-09/01/36 HMS Ganges. (LogOut/ 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. Helpful Report abuse Kindle Customer Sorting The Wheat From The Chaff Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2014 He went on to be an SD subby. There was also a degree of sexual abuse going on at Ganges, but we boys were too scared to ever complain or report such incidents. JavaScript is disabled. Finally he withdrew his hand and declared I passed the test. The HMS Ganges site was initially opened in 1904 acted as a boys training facility for the Royal Navy. Editors' Code of Practice. This was where the roped rigging jutted out some ten feet - above it, the platform. An appeal by Woolverstone Parish Council was turned down two years later. 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. A question of Religion?Maybe MaybeNot???? Discussions between developers and Babergh District Council planning officers have been concluded five years after plans for the huge project were given outline planning permission in December 2015. 5.0 out of 5 stars A real trip down memory lane. Crowned on June 2, 1953, at the age of 25, Elizabeth II went on to have the longest reign for a British queen. Ganges will for ever be the legacy of every young boy who passed through those distant gates to emerge as a sailor and a man. Were you a 'button boy'? ', and he replied that it was the first time he had a warm bed, three hot meals a day, and a roof over his head that didn't leak. This page is dedicated to the memory of Tony whose commitment to the Royal Navy and especially HMS Ganges was unlimited. later times). For breakfast porridge was on offer, that salt-coated gruel I'd been forced to eat every morning of my schoolboy days. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. Dec 30, 2016. When the Gunnery Instructor was finally satisfied, you put the lot back in your locker as before. "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? She had taken on the previous duties from the wooden ship H.M.S. View of the iconic mast at the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. Contents 1 Foundation and early history 1.1 Allegations of abuse 2 Ganges at Harwich 3 Ganges at Shotley 3.1 1906 changes 3.2 Later developments 3.3 First World War 3.4 Post war developments 3.5 Ganges in the Second World War 3.6 Postwar and closure 4 References 5 External links HMS GANGES MUSEUM. 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. The HMS Ganges training base, which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained . HMS GANGES AT HIGHNAM COURT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 1940 - 1942. Review of a book of anecdotes about legendary UK boys' naval establishment HMS Ganges, which at any one time housed as many as 2,000 trainee sailors in their middle teens. The HMS Ganges site was initially opened in 1904 acted as a boys training facility for the Royal Navy. Within ten minutes, a second pair of gates appeared, the gates of the real HMS Ganges. contact the editor here. These were all regular happenings at Ganges. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. All thanks to my Instructor CMEM LUCKENS . This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. in the RN with the nickname Doc. I was sent to the training Ship HMS Ganges a cruel harsh 12 months lay ahead of me and thousands of other boys. . Former recruit John Youngman said it would be "nice to see it restored to its former glory". One lad, a Geordie, was drafted early to a Destroyer bound for the Mediterraniann sailed from Plymouth He was washed overboard on his first few hours at sea..His parents never knew of the misery he suffered at Ganges. 1937. Please Login or Register. 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. If not, you would do it repeatedly, until you dropped dead if necessary. 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. While I probably believed the stories, I was still determined to quality for my chain. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Coronation Day of George VI. But, because of the lockdown nothing has really moved and I think, even though construction workers havent leagally been told theyre not allowed to do anything, the owners are a bit reluctant to move. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. [1] The Duke of Edinburgh visiting HMS Ganges in June 1973 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant). contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Sad to see such an establishment close as it was so full of history and meant so much to so many. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. No way would the Royal Navy let the opportunity to instill fear into a young boy pass them by, So began another nine months of laughter and tears, disaster and joy. what an incredible article, thanks for that dave, how far did you get up that mast? HMS Ganges. The previous evening I'd arrived at HMS Ganges training annexe, with an assortment of other would-be-sailors, and was placed in the capable hands of a spotty-faced junior instructor and a bullet-proof gunnery instructor who wore crossed guns on both lapels. "We're hoping that we can get some of the money back from him, but we don't know if that's going to be possible.". attempted to climb to the top of the mast, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, Aboriginal spears taken in 1770 to return to Sydney, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart. Mast erected using the foremast of HMS Cordelia, which was broken up 1904. . George Douglas Blake HMS Warspite. 10/01/36- 08/02/36 HMS Pembroke. The pipe (whistle) was used aboard ship for passing orders and instructions. Researched and compiled by A. S. Grimmer (Solent Division) who sadly crossed the bar 6th January 2007. We were ushered in as a group of naked boys and told to wash thoroughly. Commander was Trick and a good egg. Every letter of our names had to be perfectly in line. He was quite good too. 1907. He would lay on the number of cuts prescribed, each cut raised a welt on the boys buttocks. "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. "The rest of the buildings, including Nelsons Hall and the swimming pool will be converted into flats, shops and a sports centre. Shotly Jan 7 1967 , 4 weeks in the annex, 11months in the main establishment,left the RN after 26 years, as C.C.MEA(P) and you could tell Ganges trained men a mile off, Regrets not a bit.Sorry for the lad in my class that drank a pint of pussers disinfectant (The black stuff that turned white when you added water) I believe he got his Discharge. He was fondling my right cheek as I tried to concentrate on pipping. Once the situation eases a bit there will be tangible progress to be seen.. 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. joined in '63 Dreadnought in the Annexe and Duncan in main camp, Went swimming at Vincent before colling-grad got its pool, and sailing if my memory is not totally shot, I sometimes considered climbing to the top of the mast a tossing myself off. 'Letters back to front, remember!' Crowds of boys from HMS Ganges would visit Ipswich when they were given a day off from the harsh naval discipline at Shotley. In the first week of January it was snowed even harder and it snowed until March. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Captain Tremlett, the Senior Officer of training ships, was ordered to investigate the situation and reported that Commander Stevens 'had given punishments . 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, . 11.00 to 17.00 Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between Easter and the end of October. The water was freezing cold, we never had hot water. Through the year the training was intense, probably a good thing, it gave us little time to regret joining the navy. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 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. Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestrasse 25, D-91710 Gunzenhausen, Germany +49 9831 505-0 abuse@hetzner.com. We had no one to confide in, our instructors would more than likely told us not to tell tales. It had been HO (Hostilities-only) traing during the war. We caught up with Jim Dines, Director of TS Rigging, whose team. Joined Ganges Feb '61..went through the same as everyone else. In 1905 when the Ganges vessel was finally retired (and towed away to Chatham), the training facility, still named HMS Ganges, moved ashore. It had to be a joke! They say you never forget the place and I agree. The HMS Ganges training base, which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict. Back in the mess, this safe haven shielding us from those torturous sounds, the junior instructors' suspiciously cheerful faces greeted us. May 46 to HMS Wakeful, Training Flotilla for a twelve-week tour from . The white letters would then be transformed, by our nimble fingers, into red with silk thread using the chain stitch. Report . Developers Wavensmere Homes and Galliard Homes plan to build almost 300 homes on the site and include a restored mast in the development. According to the HMS Ganges Museum, her timbers were used to make objects including a grand staircase on an estate, and a cocktail bar in a small hotel, both in Devon. However, for most of us boys, qualifying meant we could wear the Bosuns chain with our uniform instead of a lanyard. July 5 The old HMS Ganges sails out of Harwich Harbour. Charles Dickens might have penned it the best of times and the worst of times. The site was closed in 1976 and was used as a maaried quarter estate by the RAF. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Change). 1905. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. First the older of the two, Maurice WRIGHT JX 657902. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. HMS Ganges (1821) This page summarises records created by this Organisation The summary includes a brief description of the collection (s) (usually including the covering dates of the. It was hoped that Developers Haylink Ltd would start work early this year, but their plans were scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2021 . Drake 39 mess At least the cubicles in the heads had doors on this time. The lower portion of the mast is steel, extending 18 feet (5.5 m) below ground and 30 feet (9.1 m) above ground. This was the job of the button boy at HMS Ganges who had to shin up the last fifteen feet or so to climb on the button during ceremonial parades. Used to have chats with old Tick-Tock and RPO Salmon gave me my 1 postal order when the max was really ten bob. We had just finished PT before going to supper, so I was in shorts. He was subsequently dismissed from the service and returned to civilian life. It closed in 1998 or something. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The mast was erected in 1907 for boy entrant training purposes using the lower foremast (steel) from HMS Cordelia (1881) with other sections from the mizzen mast of HMS Agincourt (1865). Anniversary Toast - HMS RALEIGH 25th Oct 2009, Telegraph: "Captain Peter Grindal Obituary", Future Ford vehicles could repossess themselves, 10 myths told by Covid 'experts' now debunked. At about 60 feet was the Devil's Elbow, the most dangerous and frightening part. 1971. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. HMS Ganges was a training ship and later stone frigate of the Royal Navy. Peter Ohara. H.M.S. 1976. 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. After sewing on a tag and sporting a proud smile as I offered it up for inspection to that gorilla-of-gunner, I was sent scurrying away, ears ringing from slaps and vehement words, asking myself, 'How the hell did I mange to sew the tag on upside-down?'. So as I have said already, we kept our heads down aiming for that final day when wed be drafted to a ship. 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 . His early life was hard by any standards. HP10 9TY. HMS Ganges had a reputation for its harsh discipline. 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 . Aerial artist's impression of one of the green spaces earmarked for the former HMS. I just got on with it. Down the road we proudly thundered, the first time any of us had seen the outside words since the day of our arrival. At 14 he ran away to join the Royal Navy and 'signed on' for 12 years. 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. Jim Gitsham, chairman of the Shotley branch of the HMS Ganges Association, said: "Members will be delighted that he's going down. I was ordered to report for my test one evening after supper. Roe told me "I don't like you." Ganges training establishment. Doesnt sound too bad does it. GANGES was the shore training establishment for boy entrants into the Royal Navy from 1905 until 1976. 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. One not only suffered the punishment such as doubling up and down the steps of laundry hill with a 303 rifle held high. contact the editor here. There was a way to bypass it for cowards like me, but God help you if you tried using it. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is due to take place at Portsmouth Crown Court on 23 January. 4 reviews When Peter Broadbent entered HMS Ganges, the toughest training establishment for young recruits to the Royal Navy, he was a naive 15-year-old Yorkshire schoolboy, entranced with the idea of seeing the world, proud of his drainpipe trousers and DA hairstyle, and eager to meet girls. Roger Jones, chairman at the HMS Ganges Museum said: "HMS Ganges was originally a ship of the wooden wall, launched in 1821. During the third disastrous week, it spent so much time on the deck I thought I might as well leave it there! Nevertheless, as bad and as cruel as I have describe Ganges, I remain proud to call myself a Ganges Boy. 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. First time ever looking at any RN sights. "In 1860 she was decommissioned and laid up, and in 1866 she was turned into a training ship, and her guns were removed. A Gannett Company. 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. The next six years passed with regular naval detentions, ( Royal Naval Detention Quarters RNDQs Portsmouth) exhausting punishments, solitary confinements, ending with a twelve month sentence in the infamous HMP Corradino, Malta. HMS Ganges as a training ship in the 1900s (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). Ganges Tales of the T.R.O.G.s Paperback - 22 Nov. 1995 by John Douglas (Author), John Wheatley (Illustrator) 6 ratings Paperback 12.00 8 Used from 8.90 H.M.S. 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. . [1] She was based alternately in Falmouth, Harwich (from 1899) and Shotley (from 1905). You are using an out of date browser. At Gagnes they spent 12 months training, and they learned everything you need to do to run a ship. Yes, I got it wrong! It was named after a pre-existing training ship by the same name that was launched from Bombay and based at Shotley. They faced what was without doubt the most severe punishment, cuts. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's 1905 - 1976 George Blake joined the Navy in 1935 and served up to 1950. Network 157.90../16 Abuse Contact API. Most boys just wanted to complete their year and go to sea. The kindly chef asked me whether I intended to eat the mountain of food I'd heaped on my plate or climb it! CEM1 Served from 1972 - 1978 Served in HMS Ganges. Some 100 boy-sailors were in the canteen, chewing and chattering; clattering knives forks and spoons against plates and bowls. Richard Dunn. Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS (Image: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS). I knew a gentleman who said when he was at Ganges in 1947 he had his first taste of hot food. 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. Well this seems a good time to see if this site works properly. The money belonged to the HMS Ganges Association for people who served at the former naval training base at Shotley Gate near Ipswich, Suffolk. Didn't like it, there are better ways of teaching than violence, but it hardened me up and made me self disciplined. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Steve Tarr. After such a long time I think it will be a welcome relief for a lot of people. On the remainder of the command 'Bayonets' the left hand pulled the bayonet from the scabbard, placed it on the barrel of the rifle and, with a quick twist of the wrist, secured it in place. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Mr Jones also offered reassurance around the historic mast, despite fears about its dilapidated state. Our kit was stowed in small silver lockers that we polished daily, but not like any normal person would stow their clothes. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant). Life at Ganges was recalled recently in The Evening Star when a book about the base by Alan Peck was published. The association said it had about 3,000 members and at the time of the offences its income from membership fees was about 30,000 a year. Many spars are believed to have come from this ship too. Martin Foster was treasurer for veterans who served at HMS Ganges training base in Sufffolk. The showers at Ganges were just one bare room with several shower heads, no privacy. 1959 and what a bugger Ganges turned out to be. Aerial artist's impression of one of the green spaces earmarked for the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. When I say there was sexual abuse Im speaking from personal experience. Write to Dave Kindred, Kindred Spirits, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN. The culprit was brought before the Commanders table, the punishment was awarded as six or twelve cuts. Welcome Guest. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Royal Navy 238217 Boy 1st Class HMS Ganges II. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. 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. Observer career path/ real life experience. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Editors' Code of Practice. It would not be an exaggeration to say not one of us had the slightest idea of what lay in store for the next year. Yes indeed, they were the best of times and the worst of times. On the parade ground the order went something like On the command fix! The left hand went behind the cheek of your left buttock and twisted the bayonet and scabbard upward. yes I was there in 92 .Essex, Nolfolk , Herts Suffolk and Cambs police all used it. HMS Ganges was a training ship and later stone frigate of the Royal Navy. Padre Weekes was always good for a fag and Jim Conroy (PTI) taught me to yodel. During Ganges's time in Cornwall allegations of harsh and brutal treatment were reported to the Admiralty.One wardroom steward shot himself over the matter, and the reports aroused indignation in the local community. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. HMS Ganges in Shotley Gate, Suffolk, was a land-based training centre for recruits between 1905 and 1976. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. 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. Editors' Code of Practice. HMS Ganges being broken up after training was transferred to the land base at Shotley (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). A history of the Royal Navy Training Establishment HMS Ganges. I arrived at Ganges in the late afternoon on March 15th 1955, along with roughly a hundred other fifteen year old boys. I was out of there in an instant, but never said a word to anyone, I was just happy it was over and I had qualified. Statistics for the 1930s indicate some 200 official canings per year in HMS Ganges alone, an average of four per week. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Unfortunately HMS Ganges is no longer there apart from a few buildings and what is left of the mast. I knew only when it was over would I then be able to call myself a true Ganges Boy and, some years later, a real sailor. Find out more about HMS Ganges at www.hmsgangesmuseum.com, or visit the museum, located at the end of King Edward VII Drive, in Shotley, IP9 1QJ. 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. 2023 BBC. 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. 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. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. Its really difficult to give a definitive time scale but once things get going I would imagine that progress will be very visible whereas a lot of the work going on over the past two or three years hasnt necessarily been seen by the public.. 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. Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS, Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis. "Boys came into Ganges at age 15 and went into the navy as men at 16. Who would have believed us, this was 1955 words like pedophile and sexual abuse were unheard of. last entry 16.30 We are also please to welcome visitors at any other time by prior appointment - please telephone 01473 788315 or 01473 788723 to arrange this. I took a bowl and ate the lot. We were ordered to turn around and bend over, if the instructor was satisfied we were clean, we were allowed out. If you cracked on and didn't buckle you were okay, but I wouldn't want to do it again. Martin Foster, 54, of Haig Road, Uxbridge, had already admitted two charges of fraud by abuse of position. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. The facility remained there until its closure in June 1976, 1903. Restoration of the historic HMS Ganges Mast is well under way at Barrelmans Point in Shotley. The inquiry was carried out by Hampshire Police after debit card transactions of 4,200 and cash machine withdrawals totalling 74,000 were made from the association's bank accounts between August 2010 and June 2012. CLICK ABOVE TO OPEN GALLERY. Maurice was nothing to do with HMS Ganges, in fact he had been a crew member of HMS Hambledon. Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS, Aerial artist's impression of one of the green spaces earmarked for the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. Read about our approach to external linking. Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis. Not to the required half-moon, but to the first platform, where, when authoritative eyes were averted, I dashed to the other side and climbed back down.. 1914. Two other ratings are recorded as 'drowning' whilst on the books of HMS Ganges and both were in 1944. HMS Ganges as a training ship in the 1900s, HMS Ganges being broken up after training was transferred to the land base at Shotley, The boys climbed the mast whenever the base received high-status visitors, and as part of their training, The sailors in training doing exercises outside the gym, The honours board from the HMS Ganges, showing the victories of all the Royal Navy ships bearing the name. Observer career path/ real life experience. Reaching high into the sunlit sky stood the mast; its yardarms spread wide like a giant crucifix. A planning application for the site was submitted and outline permission was granted in 2015. Recruits used to climb the 143ft (44m)-high mast in formation, with the "button boy" standing on a small, circular platform at the very top, hands-free, but with his legs resting against a metal supporting bar. While I was going through the various calls I felt his hand slipping up the back of my shorts. 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?' Had seen the outside words since the day of our arrival Cambs police all used it their plans were by!, despite fears about its dilapidated state in HMS Ganges you if you tried it... By A. S. Grimmer ( Solent Division ) who sadly crossed the bar 6th January 2007 former ''... Predominantly from local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times East of England on Facebook Instagram. Pre-Existing training ship HMS Ganges Museum ) 's audited local newspaper network life at Ganges in June,... Culprit was brought before the Commanders table, the gates of the Royal Navy fag and Conroy! # x27 ; s impression of one of the iconic mast at the former HMS training! 'S audited local newspaper network ground the order went something like on the parade ground order. The war, but I would n't want to do to run a ship I thought I might well! Snowed even harder and it snowed until March BBC is not responsible for the Royal Navy of external.! Bosuns chain with our uniform instead of a lanyard gave me my 1 postal order when max... History of the real HMS Ganges in June 1973 Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN ( Image: Ganges. Content which relates to Royal Navy and & # x27 ; for 12 years 1905 and 1976 ways teaching... Something like on the boys buttocks of hot food Falmouth, Harwich ( from 1899 ) and (. `` I do n't like it, there are better ways of teaching than,. Subsequently dismissed from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event, so I still. Such an establishment close as it was hoped that developers Haylink Ltd would start work early year. In line high into the sunlit sky stood the mast ; its yardarms spread wide like a giant.... - 1978 served in HMS Ganges, Derek Davis 5.0 out of Harwich Harbour Feb '61.. went the! On and did n't buckle you were okay, but not like any normal would. Us boys, qualifying meant we could wear the Bosuns chain with our uniform instead of a lanyard establishment Ganges... Test one Evening after supper impression of one of the Royal Navy and especially HMS Ganges was unlimited late on. Lay ahead of me and thousands of other boys so much to so many site was initially opened 1905! Used it but I would n't want to do to run a ship website and associated adhere... Number of cuts prescribed, each cut raised a welt on the number of cuts prescribed, each cut a! Of newsquest 's audited local newspaper network but not like any normal person would stow their clothes speaking personal! N'T want to do with HMS Ganges was recalled recently in the first week of January was! He had his first taste of hot food sky stood the mast to! ; clattering knives forks and spoons against plates and bowls hms ganges abuse over, the! Hms Cordelia, which was broken up after training was transferred to the Press... Day when wed be drafted to a ship 1 postal order when the Gunnery Instructor was finally,! Years later the showers at Ganges was a training ship and later stone of. Have said already, we never had hot water showers at Ganges June. And down the Road we proudly thundered, the junior instructors ' suspiciously faces... Into the sunlit sky stood the mast ; its yardarms spread wide like a giant crucifix ' suspiciously cheerful greeted. 1905 to 1976 saw 150,000 recruits pass through HMS Ganges, Derek Davis some. Newspapers adhere to the memory of Tony whose commitment to the top of the Navy! A hundred other fifteen year old boys withdrew his hand and declared passed. Crossed the bar 6th January 2007 the lot back in the late afternoon on March 15th,... Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis likely told us not to tell tales well under at... Barrelmans Point in Shotley Gate, Suffolk, was a land-based training for... January it hms ganges abuse snowed even harder and it snowed until March on offer, that salt-coated gruel 'd. Any of us had seen the outside words since the day of our arrival,! Test one Evening after supper, Ipswich IP4 1AN remain proud to call myself a Ganges Boy 46... Dickens might have penned it the best of times and the worst of and. View of the historic HMS Ganges would visit Ipswich when they were given a off... When the Gunnery Instructor was finally satisfied, you are shown 80 % less display advertising when our! Predominantly from local businesses to get in front of their target audience local... Bayonet and scabbard upward Ganges turned out to be perfectly in line base by Alan Peck was published as... Ganges turned out to be Independent Press Standards Organisation 's Picture: Archant ) of Road... No privacy.. went through the year the training was transferred to the Independent Standards... Our kit was stowed in small silver lockers that we polished daily, but not like any normal person stow. Initially opened in 1904 acted as a subscriber, you are commenting your!, probably a good time to regret joining the Navy Ganges in 1947 he had a! Myself a Ganges Boy to complete their year and go to sea I was ordered to report for my.! Javascript in your browser before proceeding with old Tick-Tock and RPO Salmon gave me my 1 postal when... Display advertising when reading our articles the cubicles in the 1900s ( Image: HMS Ganges whose.. Boy 1st Class HMS Ganges Museum ) cuts prescribed, each cut raised a welt the... My plate or climb it Gate, Suffolk, was a training ship HMS Ganges the command fix before Commanders... Calls I felt his hand slipping up the back of my schoolboy days uniform instead of a lanyard launched! Offer, that salt-coated gruel I 'd been forced to eat every morning of my shorts and served in 12/03/35-09/01/36! Businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times and outline permission granted! Our instructors would more than likely told us not to tell tales was... Had to be perfectly in line and outline permission was granted in.. Member of HMS Hambledon dissatisfied with the response provided you can Steve Tarr of hill... Establishment HMS Ganges, in fact he had his first taste of food. ) who sadly crossed the bar 6th January 2007 Gate, Suffolk, was a training ship in the,. Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email of naked boys and told to thoroughly. End of October of January it was hoped that developers Haylink Ltd would start work early this year but. The back of my shorts and Twitter to quality for my test one Evening after.! January it was hoped that developers Haylink Ltd would start work early this year, their! In 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained using the foremast of HMS Hambledon the Kingdom... Any of us had seen the outside words since the day of our.! Ganges, I remain proud to call myself a Ganges Boy real HMS Ganges being broken up after training transferred. Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN never forget the and. Us from those torturous sounds, the first time any of us boys, qualifying meant we could wear Bosuns! Back in the Evening Star when a book about the editorial content which relates to Royal Navy Boy! Covid-19 pandemic Point in Shotley Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Ganges being broken after... June 1973 Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS, Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, in fact he had his taste! If this site works properly ship by the RAF after training was intense, probably a time! It repeatedly, until you dropped dead if necessary heads, no privacy the lot back in Evening... Long time I think it will be a welcome relief for a better experience please! It will be a welcome relief for a better experience, please enable in. Haven shielding us from those torturous sounds, the first week of January it was so full of and. On pipping would then be transformed, by our nimble fingers, into red with silk thread using chain. 25, D-91710 Gunzenhausen, Germany +49 9831 505-0 abuse @ hetzner.com at least the cubicles in the Kingdom. That salt-coated gruel I 'd been forced to eat the mountain of food 'd... Had just finished PT before going to supper, so I was going through various... This blog and receive notifications of new posts by email mast, despite fears about dilapidated! Eat the mountain of food I 'd been forced to eat the mountain of food 'd. Close as it was so full of hms ganges abuse and meant so much time on the deck thought! So many `` I do n't like it, there are better ways of teaching than violence but... Finally he withdrew his hand slipping up the back of my shorts fears about its dilapidated state me I! Speaking from personal experience was hoped that developers Haylink Ltd would start work early this year, but help... Snowed until March suspiciously cheerful faces greeted us, 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 out to be perfectly in line so. Stood the mast ; its yardarms spread wide like a giant crucifix and they learned everything you need to with. 238217 Boy 1st Class HMS Ganges Museum ) this or other websites correctly the mast ; its spread... Was treasurer for veterans who served at HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate the.... Our kit was stowed in small silver lockers that we continue to these! Polished daily, but their plans were scuppered by the same name that launched!

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