chatham dockyard old apprentices

Thanks seaJane. The chances of finding someone by name within this series are steadily improving as details are added to the online catalogue as part of the Navy Board cataloguing project. Nobody ever had it as good as we did - and nobody will ever have it as good as we did.". A fifth dry dock (No 9) was added in 1895 on the north side of No 1 Basin, opposite the other four, to accommodate the new, larger battleships which were then under construction. [17] In 1686 two new dry docks were built, in addition to the old single and double dry docks; all four were rebuilt and expanded at various points in subsequent centuries (the double dock having been converted into a single dock in 1703). No 4, 5 and 6 Slips 1848. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. The records do not cover every yard in every year. dailyinfo[22]=' Major Thomas Archibald BATCHELOR Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross No. This role ceased in 1801, however, when the entire Dept establishment moved to Parkhurst Barracks on the Isle of Wight (where the recruits were less prone to find ways of deserting). CSC 10 for marks and results of examinations of dockyard and artificer apprentices from 1876; Board of Trade papers (1846-1895) Find references to apprenticeships in the indexes to papers . Great days out, can still smell the hot dog stand with its fried onions. The officers all had servants, who were provided with their own accommodation in the garret. "Without a shadow of a doubt, those were the best years of my life, apart from my married life of course.". [14], The decision required the dockyard to move from its original location, which was too constricted, to a new (adjacent) site to the north. [35], In February 1958 it was announced in Parliament that Sheerness Dockyard would close in 1960, with Nore Command (and its Chatham-based Commander-in-Chief) to be abolished the following year. I became so attached to the place,(My Home Port!) [20], No 1 Basin was officially opened in 1871, with HMS Invincible being brought into No 5 Dock for repairs, with great ceremony. Extended in connection with preparations for HMS, No 1 Machine Shop 1861. The Dockyard apprenticeships were some of the best in the UK. [125], With the failure of Upnor Castle, it was seen necessary to increase the defences. I still sometimes wonder if my name I painted on a beam in the apprentice building with a 6" brush is still there. dailyinfo[28]=' 76274 Corporal Horace John Baker WHITTINGHAM 1st Bn. It was used to house the, No 1 Boiler Shop and No 8 Machine Shop were originally built as slip covers at, Dock Pumping Station 1874: as well as serving to empty dry docks 58 when required, its. dailyinfo[26]=' Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Gordon CADE Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross and Bar, Three times Mentioned in Despatches Middlesex Regiment who died 26/04/1918 TYNE COT MEMORIAL Belgium ' else { document.write(fontstart+"No major events today"+fontend); } The senior officers of a victualling yard were: The victualling yards reported to a Victualling Board, which in turn reported to the Navy Board. He was a shipwright apprentice at Flathouse Apprentice Training Centre with about 30 others. Co Live Sunrise Narendra 1, Purnima Niwas, 3rd Main Rd, Doddanekundi, Doddanekkundi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037, India. Medway Council offices and car park now stand on the site. London Regiment who died 08/05/1915 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL Belgium ' The 1964 intake of Dockyard apprentices who built the old woman's shoe, of nursery rhyme fame, for Southsea Carnival. Diamond, one of the Navy's Daring Class Destroyers which was in Dry Dock in one of the Basins. Land was purchased to the northeast for its construction, and the new saw mill began operation in 1814. dailyinfo[5]=' CH/316(S) Private Jack WILSON Chatham Bn. By 1619, the new dockyard consisted of a new dry dock and wharf with storehouses, all enclosed within a brick perimeter wall. Joe May, 86 shared his memories of the Dockyard, Keith Dowrick, 82 told reporter Molly Dowrick some of his memories from the Dockyard, Royal Navy joins European allies on crucial Baltic mission, Plymouth's nickname 'Guz' and the reasons behind it, Live: Huge fire breaks out at industrial unit outside Looe, As many as eight fire crews are understood to be on the scene, Woman fumes over Lidl store towering above her garden, The retired nurse said a Wickes DIY store is doing similar, blocking the sun and warmth. (Gunpowder, on the other hand, was received, stored and issued across the river at Upnor Castle. For the first two years of his apprenticeship, he moved through the different ships, Brian recalled, and in his third year the skipper taught him, he said. Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. )[119], A plan of 1704 shows (from north to south) a long Storehouse parallel to the river, the Storekeeper's house (the Storekeeper was the senior officer of the Yard) and a pair of Carriage Stores. [115], An Ordnance Yard was established in the 17th century immediately upriver of the Dockyard (on the site of the original Tudor yard, vacated in 1622). The oldest surviving barracks in the Chatham area is in Upnor; dating from 1718, it housed the detachment of 64 men responsible for guarding the gunpowder store in Upnor Castle. Documents are usually arranged by yard, so for most searches it is vital to know the name of the yard where the person worked. Chatham dockyard closed in 1984, and 84 acres (34ha) of the Georgian dockyard is now managed as the Chatham Historic Dockyard visitor attraction by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Kent ME4 4TZ, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is a Registered Charity No. They went to work the day after the new rule, with 'no shirt and no vest'. Dad worked on the submarines for years, and only left when the Dock Yard closed, Many people would have know him as Nobby, but sadly passed away . When Royal Dockyard Chatham closed in 1984 the Ministry of Defence removed all records still held on site. Fred Cordier has worked in the ropery at Chatham Dockyards for over 40 years. Careening took place on the river, according to a Privy Council instruction of 1550;[7] for more specialised repairs and maintenance, however, ships would have had to travel to one of the purpose-built royal dockyards (the nearest being those on the Thames: Deptford and Woolwich). Plymouth Gladiators open their Championship campaign this evening when they welcome Scunthorpe Scorpions to the Coliseum. Coordinates: 512350N 003140E / 51.39722N 0.52778E / 51.39722; 0.52778 Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional . This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). var daym=mydate.getDate() Undoubtedly there are countless memories and stories from the dockyard, particularly 'the bygone era' of the 1950s and 1960s, when times were very different, but many of them don't get recorded or spoken about. dailyinfo[27]=' Flight Sub-Lieutenant Andrew John BODDY H.M.S. The grandfather-of-three said: Apart from working together, we used to go out to nightclubs together where most of us met our partners.. Apprenticeship Model Contract Form (0.22 MB) Application invited for "Empanelment of Third Party Agencies under the Apprentices Act, 1961" (0.34 MB) Programme for 106th AITT of Apprentices to be held in November, 2017- regarding (0.14 MB) NAPS Amended Guidelines (3.49 MB) He was admitted to Chatham Hospital on 30th June 1915 but doesnt specify RNH. [127] The Infantry Barracks went on to serve as a home depot for numerous regiments. In 1832 the post of commissioner was replaced by the post of superintendent, who was invested with the same power and authority as the former commissioners, "except in matters requiring an Act of Parliament to be submitted by the Commissioner of the Navy". He first started his apprenticeship when he was sent to the ropery on his first day by accident. A good many were engaged in manning the defences, but some had other duties; others were accommodated there for convenience prior to embarking on ships for duties overseas, or following their disembarkation. 93rd Infantry Bde. document.write; The site was expanded and rebuilt in the 1860s; in 1905 the Royal Marines took over Melville Barracks, which stood between Dock Road and Brompton Hill (it had formerly served as Chatham's Royal Naval Hospital). // Stop Define Variables for days of the month The first steam-powered ship to be laid down at Chatham was HMS Phoenix, one of four paddle steamers built concurrently across the royal dockyards in the early 1830s, each designed by a different leading shipwright. dailyinfo[15]=' 6963 Private Albert CHRISTIE 1st Bn. that I have asked my family to see that my ashes are scattered on the Medway besides the Dockyard,using a trip on the Paddlesteamer-"Kingswear Castle" to carry out this task. dailyinfo[1]=' 61365 Private James LAVIN 1st Garrison Bn. Another top story for the boys is the countless times in 1960s and 70s when their friend would randomly phone a phone box on the site, says Keith Dowrick, 82 from Keyham. Thirteen of them spent the weekend together in Medway travelling from all over the country, including as far away as Scotland. The southern building, Store House No 3, completed in 1785, is subdivided with timber lattice partitions as a "lay apart store", a store for equipment from vessels under repair. The indenture was a contract signed by the apprentice, the parent / guardian and the Admirality on satisfactory completion of a 3 month probation period. Mr Gray also endorsed the expertise handed over to young apprentices. In almost all cases you can only search by yard or ships name, not by a persons names. The dates shown represent the tax paid by the Masters for their Apprentices. The names that I have are Bob Piper, Calvin Sims, Chris Wyatt, Tony Davies, Malcolm Copper, Terry OHagan, Stuart Lukey, Ed Salvage, Ian Privet, Mick Tucker, Michael Arnell, Malcolm Bain, Allan Fudge, Barry Goble, Dennis Purvis, Bernhard Reed, Malcolm Reglar, Joseph Shears, Alan Weatley and John Miller.. . It was envisaged that Basin No 1 would serve as a "repair basin", No 2 as the "factory basin" and No 3 as the "fitting-out" basin; a newly launched ship could therefore enter via the west lock, have any defects remedied in the first basin, have her steam engines and heavy machinery installed in the second, and then be finished, and loaded with coal and provisions, in the third before leaving via the east locks. "The Dockyard holds lots of memories for me.. Constructed from timber recycled from warships probably from the. Chatham (1567-1983) Deptford (1513-1869) Plymouth - from 1824 known as Devonport Dockyard (1690-present) . Dockyard Church 1806. The senior official of a Royal Navy dockyard was the commissioner, who was supported by other senior officers including: . When young Robert started there in 1958, the docks employed 6000 people on a two-mile long site encompassing hundreds of workshops, offices and storehouses as well as its own police . Powered by Invision Community, Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc, The West Africa squadron in the 1840s; naval medicine; First World War, especially in poetry, art and fiction, GWF is free to use so please support the Forum. There were two routes to entry. Pay once to enjoy again and again for an entire year. Since November 2017 Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has undertaken major conservation, repair and adaptation works to the Fitted Rigging House, the home of the Reading Room. It came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional defences. Tank Corps who died 28/04/1918 MARISSEL FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY France ' Following the success of such early trials with screw propulsion, several older sailing ships were taken into dry dock and retro-fitted with propellers, beginning with HMS Horatio. Saw HMS Jamaica of Bismarck fame and I believe we saw HMS Manxman too in which a friend's uncle had served during WW2. The yards have continued to be run by a mixture of civilians and sea officers. Great days out, can still smell the hot dog stand with its fried onions. [12], The dockyard received its first royal visit, from Elizabeth I, in 1573; later, in 1606, James I used Chatham dockyard for a meeting with Christian IV of Denmark. Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard, Welsh Regiment who died 31/03/1918 KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY Greece ' The development is called "Chatham Waters". As some victualling yards also changed their names, you may need to search foralternative names: Click on the links below to search for a yard namewithin series: Gun wharves, where ships guns were stored, were the responsibility of the Ordnance Board. But he said without helping me out in the garage ripping out engines, he wouldnt have a clue.. [110], On 5 September 1971 all Flag Officers of the Royal Navy holding positions of Admiral Superintendents at Royal Dockyards were redesignated as Port Admirals. Just ties. dailyinfo[25]=' 1720 Private Sidney ORDERS 1st Bn. I clearly remember visiting Chatham Navy Dockyard during the 1970s as a boy. The Dock would be filled with all types of Naval ships, decked out with flags & crew dressed in their dress uniforms. [19], Seeking to alleviate this less-than-satisfactory situation, the Navy Board explored options for developing a shore facility with direct access from the open water of the Thames Estuary. [20] Much of the excavation and building work had been done by convict labour (a convict prison having been built to the north of the dockyard, with the expansion project in mind, in 1853). Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 1731), visiting the yard in 1705, also spoke of its achievements with an almost incredulous enthusiasm: So great is the order and application there, that a first-rate vessel of war of 106 guns, ordered to be commissioned by Sir Cloudesley Shovell, was ready in three days. He knows some have passed away but apart from his mate, Trevor Woodhouse, he is having difficulty in tracing some of them. In 1782, an, 18701892 A number of forts built at a greater distance from the dockyard: Forts, Resident Commissioner, Cadiz Yard, (1694), This page was last edited on 18 March 2023, at 23:48. Mr Elgar, 66, who lives in Hoo St Werburgh, was transferred to the naval base at Devenport after the Chatham closure in March 1984. The group formed in 1990 as a six-monthly reunion for a group of nineteen Dockyard recorders who had retired and wanted to catch up with each other and share their stories, but some of the group only joined 18 months ago. The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) who died 15/04/1915 CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY France ' [120], After the demise of the Board of Ordnance (1855), Ordnance Yards passed under the control of the War Office, and were eventually (in 1891) apportioned to either the Army or the Navy. We collect and preserve objects related to the Dockyards past and also carry out specific research into the Dockyards rich and varied history. During their time together, he and his colleagues gelled and enjoyed years of "tomfoolery" and were sometimes reprimanded by trainers for their pranks. dailyinfo[4]=' 13/927 Trooper James Werner MAGNUSSON Albert Medal Auckland Mounted Rifles, N.Z.E.F. The permanent residents were the dockyard men. The Black Yarn House to store the tarred yarn. ! [36] This guide will help you find records of the staff of Royal Navy dockyards, victualling yards and other naval establishments from around the 1920s or before. - See 2,652 traveller reviews, 1,691 candid photos, and great deals for Chatham, UK, at Tripadvisor. dailyinfo[30]=' 35346 Private Stuart Bathurst Scott COATES 13th Bn. Visit Of 26th Sub LT Tech (LOG) Course of SriLankan Navy on 22 . [38], The closure of Chatham Dockyard (along with the adjacent Naval Barracks) was announced in Parliament in June 1981 and scheduled to take place in 1984. Initially, soldiers were housed under canvas or else billetted in houses and inns, but from the 18th century barracks began to be constructed. Something that really sets our city apart is our historic dockyard and the thousands of amazing and hard-working people that have worked there over the years, each contributing to the largest naval base in Western Europe in different ways. In addition, the Medway had begun to silt up, making navigation more difficult (especially as the Navy's ships were getting larger). The lower terraces are one of the first, Officers' Terrace 172223. We understand that memories of this nature can be challenging and sometimes uncomfortable to talk about. The first was by exam and accounted for about 125 apprentices and what was called the . [17], By this time the establishment, including the gun wharf, stretched one mile (1.6km) in length, and included an area of in excess of 95 acres (380,000m2). Sheerness remained operational as a royal dockyard until 1959, but it was never considered a major shore establishment and in several respects it operated as a subsidiary yard to Chatham. The surviving records for dockyard workers tend to be various kinds of records of pay, including muster books (but not after the mid-19th century) and pension records. [35] During World War I, twelve submarines were built here, but when hostilities ceased, uncompleted boats were scrapped and five years passed before a further ship was launched. Money was only made available for one such installation, however, and Chatham (as the principal building yard at this time) was chosen as its location. Poor Law union indexes and papers (1836-1920) . var mydate=new Date() He said: "It would mean the world to me to have another reunion. Back in the day, the gentlemen, who are aged between 79 and 86, were pranksters! Greetings to all the Chatham Dockyard Apprentices that began their long journeys 65 years ago on the 10th September 1956 and are still standing,as well as those before and after. The barracks were set to close in 1961 when the majority of naval personnel were withdrawn from Chatham;[142] however, it went on to serve instead as the RN Supply and Secretariat School in succession to HMSCeres, before finally being closed along with the Dockyard in 1984. Of his cartoon he adds: I hope it brings a little humour to what was the sad demise of a truly much-loved local radio station..