General Chat

OK I give in I'll go somewhere else and play.

Ann, I've found you !!! I've found a 'GEM' - The last time I saw the Eagle was about 1956, a smart carrier. I never served on her but envied the ones who did. I was always a 'small ship' rating, destroyers, frigates, mine sweepers, even a boom defence vessell. You certainly did grow up surrounded by naval personnel.. Finally left the RN as a Petty Officer in the Communication dept. But only did 12 years.. Enough !!!. Take Care Ann.. John xx

Oh but I did Red Squirrel - just goes to show, 'girly talk' isn't all that bad after all.....lol John..

Hi Harp Strings - I did and still am..lol. John

yes, Tony only did 12 years, he was about to sign on having just designed the new radar section for Ark royal when he was tipped off that he would be following his design so he left. One of his jobs on Eagle was to climb the radar mast past the 'drum' to fix the radar. (he is terrified of heights, goodness knows how he did it)

Hi Sue - the RFAs were mainly attatched to the Royal Navy (All painted grey), used to join up with the fleet during exercises or wartime to supply ammunition, stores, etc.. Many had foreign crew and British officers. Always came under the Royal Navy.
lol John..

John, my dad served on the Eagle and Ark Royal, Bulwark, Albion and i think one called "centaur"? or summat like that anyway, he left as a Chief Petty Officer and joined the Australian navy for a few years.
Caroline.x
oh, he was a MET man.

Large place Durham ladylol, but that's where I am, too good to be a spud peeler....lol John,

Hi Ann, never a pleasant job. I don't think people realise just how high it is to reach radar or any of the masts, and twice as bad if anyone doesn't like heights. I take it the 'drum' was the huge gadget near the bridge. I always thought that was the radar.
The one we had on the Corunna was an early warning type, used to be called the 'Bed-stead". It was huge... John

Hi Caroline - Yes the Centaur was a similar type, as for the Bulwark and Albion, these were converted into Commando Carriers. (Marines etc, and helicopters)....I think he would have enjoyed his time in the Australian Navy. Had ideas myself about that when I left...John x

Enjoy your thread John
See us girls can talk man talk sometimes.
Helen

Yes John, he did enjoy the Aussie navy he is now retired but has a lil part time job and still lives in Aus, he is coming over here next year for a navy reunion party.oh, and of course to see ME!! lol

Helen - I have enjoyed every minute of it. You girls have made me a very happy man - and, yep, girly-talk isn't too bad after all... Many thanks to all the 'gang' on this thread.. Absolutely GREAT...
lol.. John.

Enjoy your reunion Caroline. As for the Ausie Navy, I think for my part it was a case of "There but for the grace of God go I"...I still would have liked a spell with that navy... Take Care.. John.

ohh, i'm not going to the reunion, just my dad, lol

John, do you know if they still have a navy day in Portsmouth or was it plymouth?
I remember going to them as a child and my dad would sneak me below deck and fill me with fizzy orange and cakes, lol

Moonshine
They still have NavyDay in Plymouth ,probably portsmouth too

Well done John, you have had a good old time. I will read your thread with interest tomorrow when I have more time.

Its amazing what we ladies can talk about though aint it!

tina xx

Thanks Helen. x

Hi Moonshine - Helen has beaten me to it..Been a long time since my last Navy Days, ships open to visitors, etc...Crazy days.... lol.. John.