chatham dockyard old apprentices

Read the catalogue details for BT 19 to find related correspondence from various departments of the Board. It includes Papersafe UK[43] and Nordic Recycling Ltd.[44] In 2013 Peel Ports, which owns and runs Chatham Docks, announced that it was set to convert a 26-acre (0.11km2) portion of the commercial port into a mixed-use development (incorporating offices, an education facility, apartments, town houses and a food store (Asda), as well as landscaped public areas). Some older yard pay books and muster books are archived at The National Archives at Kew. The Dock would be filled with all types of Naval ships, decked out with flags & crew dressed in their dress uniforms. By 1611 Chatham had been chosen as its location (in preference to Deptford, which at the time was the nation's principal naval shipbuilding yard; this led to speculation that Deptford was going to be sold off). But he's having a problem tracking down the class from 1960 when 13 of them embarked on a five-year course, which for many of them moulded their lives in years to come. Those that we have in our collections are ones that have been donated to us, usually by families of former dockyard workers or Chatham Ratings. The Grade II listed Park and Garden is getting a makeover to showcase some of its existing heritage features as well as reinstate some of the paving patterns that were part of its original design. Wed Aug 25 00:38:58 2004. The dockyard closed in the 1980s and is now a museum. 'The apprenticeship at Chatham Dockyard is the finest in the world - if you stick to it, the world's your oyster' Robert Smith's dad told his teenage son. Built on the site of what had been the convict prison, the barracks complex could accommodate 4,742 officers and seamen in a series of large blocks built along the length of a terrace. ), electric & acetylene welding and the Blacksmiths shop.In travelling along Dock Road my memories go back to the check-in booths where we were checked against our photo and a recent trip along Luton Road recalled the many hours spent at the Dockyard Apprentices Club.At one stage in my Naval career, I served as a Shipwright Training Instructor at H.M.S Caledonia at Rosyth in Scotland where the Naval Shipwright training was subsequently transferred I have many more memories, too many to relate here but I hope these will be sufficient to remind others reading this of happy times spent in the Dockyard.Wed Apr 1 19:45:59 2009, Chris Townsend - Now from ChathamI clearly remember visiting Chatham Navy Dockyard during the 1970s as a boy. London Regiment who died 08/05/1915 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL Belgium ' During their time together, he and his colleagues gelled and enjoyed years of "tomfoolery" and were sometimes reprimanded by trainers for their pranks. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! Chatham Naval Dockyard, Kent. . 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. The victualling yards, however, continued to be practically independent. [13], In the early 17th century the government resolved to invest in a new specialised facility for refitting and repairing warships. This building retains it original structure and roof glazing. New positions were created such as inspector of steam machinery, as steam factories were attached to major yards. Another, Mike North, got in touch and sent me his cartoon of the staff who were there when the station closed. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. But he likes to remember the time he bet a colleague 1 to jump in the water wearing the sacks. John said: "The dockyard gave you a good life. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of it and the amount of hustle and bustle that was all about. Saw HMS Jamaica of Bismarck fame and I believe we saw HMS Manxman too in which a friend's uncle had served during WW2. [136] The new development has retained the name Kitchener Barracks. seaJane. var day=mydate.getDay() Chatham (1567-1983) Deptford (1513-1869) Plymouth - from 1824 known as Devonport Dockyard (1690-present) . For England this will usually mean one ofthe following six Royal Navy dockyards (the years in brackets are opening and closing dates): For details of more Royal Navy dockyards, both in the UK and overseas, see the Appendix. Chatham, Saw HMS Jamaica of Bismarck fame and I believe we saw HMS Manxman too in which a friend's uncle had served during WW2. Productions that have chosen to film at Chatham Dockyard include: Les Misrables,[49] Call the Midwife,[50] Mr Selfridge,[51] Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,[52] Oliver Twist,[53] The World Is Not Enough [54] and Grantchester. The project has enabled a sustainable future for one of the Dockyards most important Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Today the range of buildings and structures . [32] (The older slipways, by contrast, were proving much too small and they were mostly filled in around this time, their covered areas being put to alternative uses.) He says for the first three months of the apprenticeship he was given no tools and distinctly remembers the big 'awful sacks' [overalls] they used to wear. dailyinfo[29]=' 4547 Lance Corporal Albert FERGUSSON 1st Bn. dailyinfo[16]=' 56932 Serjeant William Philip WATSON Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal 58th Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps who died 16/04/1918 TYNE COT MEMORIAL Belgium ' [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. Mr Elgar, 66, who lives in Hoo St Werburgh, was transferred to the naval base at Devenport after the Chatham closure in March 1984. South Staffordshire Regiment who died 01/05/1920 KRANJI MILITARY CEMETERY Singapore ' Just ties. The yards have continued to be run by a mixture of civilians and sea officers. There was space for some 500 horses and 1,000 men. "Ted was living in the Maidstone area at the time and I know he joined the fire service after leaving the dockyard.". The annual intake was usually restricted to ten applicants and we were required to attend the Dockyard School for three years and pay a weekly visit to the Royal Navy Barracks gym and swimming pool for training sessions by naval personnel.Our apprenticeship covered many departments including the Boat House, Mast House, Drawing Office, Joiners Shop, Paint Shop, Plumbing, Ship Repairs (rivetting, caulking etc. The Establishment grew, and by 1856 the Artillery had moved out; Brompton Barracks remains in service as headquarters of the Royal Engineers. The tarring process declined as, Iron Foundry 185561. Maritime history records held by other archives. We collect and preserve objects related to the Dockyard's past and also carry out specific research into the Dockyard's rich and varied history. [20], Among the vessels built in this Dockyard which still exist are HMSVictory (launched in 1765 and now preserved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard)[22] and HMSUnicorn (a Leda-class frigate), launched in 1824 and now preserved afloat at Dundee). dailyinfo[3]=' 3747 Flight Serjeant Reginald Tom PARRY Air Force Medal 15th Aircraft Acceptance Park Royal Air Force who died 03/05/1919 WELSH NEWTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD United Kingdom ' [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. [129] The establishment of the Dept was linked to the appointment in 1778 of an 'Inspector General and Superintendent of the Recruiting of all the Forces employed on foreign service', based in Chatham, who provided a degree of centralised oversight of recruitment (responsibility for which had previously been left entirely to the regiments). Chatham Dockyard and its Defences is an outstanding example of a complete industrial military complex from the heyday of the age of sail (1700 - 1820) and the early period of the age of steam (1820- 1865). At around the same time, in the older part of the dockyard, No 7 Slip was extended to accommodate the building of HMS Prince of Wales (launched in 1902), and a new (uncovered) slipway was built a little to the north (No 8 Slip, completed in 1900); at 616ft (188m) this was one of the longest slips in the world and was designed for building battleships. Click on the series references in the table below to browse the record descriptions by year ranges: Visit the National Maritime museum Caird Library website for other sources. Mr Gray also endorsed the expertise handed over to young apprentices. The officers and men employed in the yard had also increased, and by 1798 they numbered 1,664, including 49 officers and clerks and 624 shipwrights. Designed by Edward Holl, it has a gallery supported on cast iron columns, one of the first uses of cast iron in the dockyard. Another member of the group, Brian Booker, 76, moved to Plymouth from Chatham in the South East and joined the dockyard in 1984, working there for six years before taking early retirement to care for his wife. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. [128] The three-storey barrack blocks were aligned northsouth. The majority of its buildings are still standing, several of them occupied by the Universities at Medway. I spent a couple of nights in the dormitory blocks, before joining Diamond and had a lot of laughs. In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and all yards and establishments, except gun wharves, were amalgamated under a single authority. if (month<10) month="0"+month At the time of its closure the dockyard covered 400 acres (1.6km2). He said: "It's proving difficult because they are not on social media. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. n There was a great reaction to my picture here of some of the old Radio Victory presenters. [20], By the late 17th century a number of prestigious new buildings were erected (including the officers' residences, the clocktower storehouse and the main gatehouse), several of which are still in place. down the phone. [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). The oldest surviving naval storehouse in any Royal Dockyard. Thereafter this was divided into three sections: 80 acres (0.32km2), the 18th century core of the site, was transferred to a charity called the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. Additional flight to evacuate Britons from Sudan today, Tributes paid to singer Gordon Lightfoot following death, Marks &Spencer to close stores in May - full list of closures, HMV to reopen original flagship store after four year closure, Mller recall Cadbury desserts because of Listeria contamination, Nurses strike continues: Major disruption for NHS services in England. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. [134], In 1928 Chatham Barracks was taken over by the Royal Engineers and renamed Kitchener Barracks. In the 1960s Portsmouth Dockyard was the largest employer in the area. From projects focused on Dockyard workers to the tragedies suffered during the First World War, we are building up a picture of the role and impact the Dockyard has had over four hundred years. [125], With the failure of Upnor Castle, it was seen necessary to increase the defences. And to celebrate their half-century landmark anniversary, they held a reunion at the former naval base in Medway. The Black Yarn House to store the tarred yarn. Their website gives further information about the type of records they hold and how to search them. 1st Floor North, Fitted Rigging House You are in: Kent > History > Chatham Historic Dockyard > Your memories. Brian and John remember their Devonport Dockyard wage: 2 6s 2d a week (about 2.32), with no overtime for apprentices, but said at the time they were well looked after. Do you know of any detailed records of casualties passing through Chatham RNH. [20] Holl's smithery was itself enlarged with the addition of a foundry in the 1850s, and its courtyard was roofed over for a steam hammer shop in 1865. dailyinfo[23]=' 20589 Corporal Elias JONES Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and Bar 14th Bn. Nicholas, South Africa, last updated: 26/03/2009 at 15:36created: 26/03/2009. if (dailyinfo[daym] != "") { document.write(fontstart+dailyinfo[daym]+fontend) } I was on board HMS Hermoine when she left the yard for the last time, I was one of the guests of honour, a great experience for a young lad of 15. " The 1964 intake of Dockyard apprentices who built the old woman's shoe, of nursery rhyme fame, for Southsea Carnival. dailyinfo[6]=' 1894 Lance Daffadar MUR MUHAMMAD KHAN Mentioned in Despatches 1st Duke of Yorks Lancers (Skinners Horse) who died 06/05/1919 DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE) India '