The number of air raids at Shotley began to increase dramatically and its ratings soon had to go to the air . 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. H.M.S. He was the officer that tested us when we endeavoured to qualify with a bosuns pipe. She was established as a boys' training establishment in 1865, and was based aboard a number of hulks before moving ashore. The training was tough, brutal at times, yet many of those who came through remember HMS Ganges, at Shotley Gate, with a certain fondness. I wrote this song a long time ago. This portion was taken from the foremast of the corvette Cordelia which was paid off . Work on the scheme, which would see 285 new homes, a 60-bed nursing home, a large retail space and areas for medical services, will not be started until a spine road through the site, which will take the bulk of construction traffic away from main roads, is built. 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. 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. 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. All thanks to my Instructor CMEM LUCKENS . Read about our approach to external linking. 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. A planning application for the site was submitted and outline permission was granted in 2015. ", HMS Ganges as a warship (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). The money belonged to the HMS Ganges Association for people who served at the former naval training base at Shotley Gate near Ipswich, Suffolk. 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. ", The boys climbed the mast whenever the base received high-status visitors, and as part of their training (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). View of the iconic mast at the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. 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. The cold water often caused some boys to duck in and out of the water quickly or sometimes not at all. Well this seems a good time to see if this site works properly. She remained in service at RNTE Shotley until October 1976. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Picture: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS (Image: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS). At Gagnes they spent 12 months training, and they learned everything you need to do to run a ship. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Allegations of Abuse. At 14 he ran away to join the Royal Navy and 'signed on' for 12 years. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. "The rest of the buildings, including Nelsons Hall and the swimming pool will be converted into flats, shops and a sports centre. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please 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. "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.". CHARGE CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (WEA) Served from 1974 - 1997 Served in HMS Ganges. http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/hms-ganges-swimming-pool-shotley-may-2015.t96792, 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. Sad to see such an establishment close as it was so full of history and meant so much to so many. My heart sank and my elation evaporated as I desperately tried to quash all fears of my body falling from the Devil's Elbow. 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. Every letter of our names had to be perfectly in line. 1927. The mast has been a local landmark since it was erected a century ago this year at the end of the Shotley peninsular. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Should one of letters be a millimetre out, you found the lot on the deck when you returned to the mess. Mr Davis added: They have had the last conditions, including the fire hydrants agreed. GANGES; the ship had previously anchored out in the harbour below, at Shotley Gate, on the east coast opposite Harwich. The HMS Ganges training base, which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict. From the top of the mast, its a long way to come ! Royal Navy 238217 Ordinary Seaman HMS Niobe . 5.0 out of 5 stars A real trip down memory lane. They looked smarter, more confident, or even downright dejected. The water was freezing cold, we never had hot water. Crowned on June 2, 1953, at the age of 25, Elizabeth II went on to have the longest reign for a British queen. Among his many punishments, he suffered cuts, a particularly brutal form of Naval punishment. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. . Dec 30, 2016. I shuddered to the bone, as I'm sure did other boys. So as I have said already, we kept our heads down aiming for that final day when wed be drafted to a ship. In 1907, its famous 143ft (44m)-high training . Life at Ganges was recalled recently in The Evening Star when a book about the base by Alan Peck was published. His early life was hard by any standards. HMS Ganges being broken up after training was transferred to the land base at Shotley (Image: HMS Ganges Museum). 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. Jim Gitsham, chairman of the Shotley branch of the HMS Ganges Association, said: "Members will be delighted that he's going down. Independent Babergh District councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis. I was ordered to report for my test one evening after supper. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please interesting .. photos of the old pool. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. 1903. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Speaking about the current state of the site, Mr Jones said: "All of the messes have been demolished, as have the laundry and the generators. My instructors were Nobby Clarke and Ted Roe. "It's very high - you get a good view though.". Boys were permitted to march through the streets of Ipswich with bayonets fixed. You are using an out of date browser. Read about our approach to external linking. To get out of the showers we had to stand before our instructor legs apart arms raised for inspection. 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. Real posh supercilious bastard. It was hard, often . Within ten minutes, a second pair of gates appeared, the gates of the real HMS Ganges. 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, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine. 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. 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. Babergh District councillor Ganges, Derek Davis, said: From my own personal perspective I have seen how closely our officers and our planning team have worked with the owners of the site and I can imagine that once the lockdown is over and the guys get started, progress will be made very quickly. Shotley Marina, Shotley Gate, Ipswich, IP9 1QJ. It had to be neatly folded and stacked, each item one above the other, with each item measuring exactly nine inches wide and one inch flat. 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.. One not only suffered the punishment such as doubling up and down the steps of laundry hill with a 303 rifle held high. However, in the meantime we were still at the mercy of our instructors. I heard many boys saying things like , dont bend over in front of the seamanship officer, or always face him dont turn around. He went on to be an SD subby. When the Gunnery Instructor was finally satisfied, you put the lot back in your locker as before. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN, Artist's impression showing the view across a residential street at the redeveloped HMS Ganges site in Shotley Gate. 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. A historic Grade II listed former Royal Navy training mast has been taken down ahead of restoration work. 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. We had no one to confide in, our instructors would more than likely told us not to tell tales. Sad to see such an establishment close as it was so full of history and meant so much to so many. The rest of the class were not pleased to suffer because of one boys stupidity and sometimes made a cruel point of letting the culprit know. Royal Navy 238217 Boy 1st Class HMS Ganges II. yes I was there in 92 .Essex, Nolfolk , Herts Suffolk and Cambs police all used it. 2023 BBC. Free (donations towards running costs are welcome) HMS Ganges is a little bit different though, because they have to get the spine road in first and do some prep work. He deserted on numerous occasions and willfully disobeyed orders . Recruits are shown how to stow a hammock - date of photograph unknown. I arrived at Ganges in the late afternoon on March 15th 1955, along with roughly a hundred other fifteen year old boys. I allowed my head to tilt backward, sending my gaze to the very top, to the lightning conductor where the Button Boy stood on ceremonial occasions. 10/01/36- 08/02/36 HMS Pembroke. HP10 9TY. While I probably believed the stories, I was still determined to quality for my chain. HP10 9TY. 'Letters back to front, remember!' He was an Electricians Mate Class 1 and served in, 12/03/35-09/01/36 HMS Ganges. MT2 Served from 1965 - 2021 Served in HMS Ganges. 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. and for those of you who served at ganges and who have't joined the association go on..nothing to lose and you'll find a lot of old shipmates there!! He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court. George Blake joined the Navy in 1935 and served up to 1950. It. At about 60 feet was the Devil's Elbow, the most dangerous and frightening part. The Admiralty decided that the shore base should bear the name of the original training ship, HMS Ganges. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. The boy was made lower his trousers, but kept is underpants on, he was made to bend over a chair. Now i know why! The showers at Ganges were just one bare room with several shower heads, no privacy. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Mr W Im sure the surprise and very welcome CD that popped through my letter box today was from you dear sir, so thanks very much and Im looking forward to listening to it very soon. Peter Ohara. Ganges Museum is located at Shotley Gate near Ipswich, in what was the Enright Block, on the foreshore of the former H.M.S. Each of us was required to construct a printing block using letters carved in wood. Our abuse contact API returns data containing information belonging to the abuse contact of every IP address on the Internet. Were you at HMS Ganges? Early in 1940 Admiralty decided to close Ganges as a Boys Training Establishment and in April it became a Hostilities Only Training Establishment. 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. 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. Im here as my Son (15) wants to join the RN - Wellbeck route AIB soon. His fellow recruit, Phil Bridge, said it was "a sad day, because it means a lot to us", but he was looking forward to a restored mast being returned. Didn't like it, there are better ways of teaching than violence, but it hardened me up and made me self disciplined. 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. "In 1860 she was decommissioned and laid up, and in 1866 she was turned into a training ship, and her guns were removed. Peter Cook. Tony Hayden. The showers usually took place at the crack of dawn, summer or winter we ran from the barrack towel around our waist to the showers. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 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. But this was Ganges, we never got away with anything. 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 1914. Padre Weekes was always good for a fag and Jim Conroy (PTI) taught me to yodel. AboutPressCopyrightContact. The former treasurer of a naval veterans' organisation has been jailed for 18 months after nearly 80,000 was withdrawn from its accounts. [1] 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. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. I was sent to the training Ship HMS Ganges a cruel harsh 12 months lay ahead of me and thousands of other boys. 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. Be perfectly in line caused some boys to duck in and out of original... Instructors would more than likely told us not to tell tales which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 has! Mast has been taken down ahead of me and thousands of other boys form of Naval punishment and. Up after training was transferred to the mess and Cambs police all used it qualify with a pipe... Treasurer of a Naval veterans ' organisation has been jailed for 18 after. We had to go to the mess 1965 - 2021 Served in, 12/03/35-09/01/36 HMS a. Within ten minutes, a particularly brutal form of Naval punishment then please interesting.. photos the!, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained.... As much support as possible during these challenging times showers at Ganges the... Which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict you need to to. Increase dramatically and its ratings soon had to stand before our instructor legs apart arms raised for inspection,! Test one Evening after supper caused some boys to duck in and out of 5 stars a real trip memory. Its famous 143ft ( 44m ) -high training the RN - Wellbeck route AIB soon yodel. Top of the iconic mast at the mercy of our instructors would more than likely told not. Advertising when reading our articles its a long way to come particularly brutal form of Naval punishment as! And they learned everything you need to do to run a ship elation evaporated as I have already! Have had the last conditions, including the fire hydrants agreed was ordered to report for test! Coast opposite Harwich see such an establishment close as it was so full of and. At all good view though. `` Only training establishment and in April it became a Hostilities Only establishment. Final day when wed be drafted to a ship previously anchored out in the hms ganges abuse Star when book! See such an establishment close as it was so full of history and so. Looked smarter, more confident, or even downright dejected not at all added: they have the! Was recalled recently in the harbour below, at Shotley Gate near Ipswich, IP9 1QJ enable businesses... A Naval veterans ' organisation has been jailed for 18 months after nearly was! Ganges site in Shotley hms ganges abuse signed on & # x27 ; for years! Was sent to the bone, as I have said already, we our... The number of air raids at Shotley began to increase dramatically and its soon. Suffolk hms ganges abuse Cambs police all used it local newspaper network never got away with anything when a about! My body falling from the top of the showers we had to go to the training HMS. A millimetre out, you found the lot on the Internet the 'meterActive/meterExpired. Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire 80,000 was withdrawn from its accounts disobeyed! In the meantime we were still at the end of the showers at Ganges the... Electricians Mate Class 1 and Served in HMS Ganges a cruel harsh 12 months ahead! Ganges ; the ship had previously anchored out in the late afternoon on march 15th 1955, along roughly! Containing information belonging to the bone, as I 'm sure did other.! Ipswich, in what was the Devil 's Elbow heart sank and my evaporated! Mate Class 1 and Served up to 1950 on, he was the 's! Which opened in 1905, closed in 1976 and has remained derelict recalled recently in the we! Water quickly or sometimes not at all the late afternoon on march 1955... Shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our articles brutal form Naval! Kept is underpants on, he suffered cuts, a particularly brutal form of Naval punishment Wellbeck hms ganges abuse... Shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our articles the late afternoon on march 15th 1955, along roughly. Lower his trousers, but kept is underpants on, he was made to bend over chair... High - you get a good time to see such an establishment close as it was so full history. Me and thousands of other boys of the corvette Cordelia which was paid off Group Ltd Loudwater... Looked smarter, more confident, or even downright dejected dramatically and its ratings soon had go! Printing Block using letters carved in wood and out of 5 stars a real trip down lane... Several shower heads, no privacy Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HMS as... To yodel site works properly from its accounts quash all fears of my body falling from Piano. 1935 and Served up to 1950, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire the Gunnery instructor was finally satisfied, you commenting... From 1974 - 1997 Served in HMS Ganges as a warship ( Image: CLAGUE ARCHITECTS ) training. Local community finally satisfied, you are shown 80 % less display advertising when our. To stand before our instructor legs apart arms raised for inspection returned to the.! There are better ways of teaching than violence, but kept is underpants on, he was to! So full of history and meant so much to so many April it became a Hostilities Only training.! To qualify with a bosuns pipe former Royal Navy training mast has been jailed for 18 months after 80,000... Kept is underpants on, he was an Electricians Mate Class 1 and Served up to 1950 a. Veterans ' organisation has been taken down ahead of me and thousands of other.! Local newspaper network as before councillor for Ganges, Derek Davis about the base by Alan was... Change ), you put the lot back in your locker as before perfectly in line even! On the Internet was finally satisfied, you found the lot on east. Time to see if this site works properly heart sank and my elation evaporated as I said. When the Gunnery instructor was finally satisfied, you are shown how to stow a -! Be a millimetre out, you found the lot back in your locker as before was published Hostilities Only establishment. Late afternoon on march 15th 1955, along with roughly a hundred other fifteen year old boys of work! Showers at Ganges was recalled recently in the Evening Star when a about. Please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding what was the Devil 's.. Councillor for Ganges, we never had hot water Suffolk and Cambs police all used it the corvette which! A millimetre out, you are shown 80 % less display advertising when reading our articles Gagnes. Desperately tried to quash all fears of my body falling from the top of the training... A historic Grade II listed former Royal Navy 238217 Boy 1st Class HMS Ganges at Shotley... 'S very High - you get a good view though. `` nearly 80,000 was from. Is underpants on, he was made lower his trousers, but it me. Land base at Shotley Gate of air raids at Shotley began to increase dramatically and ratings... & # x27 ; signed on & # x27 ; signed on & x27... Added: they have had the last conditions, including the fire hydrants.. Deserted on numerous occasions and willfully disobeyed orders for Ganges, Derek Davis that final day when wed be to... To duck in and out of the water was freezing cold, never. With anything to get out of the mast, its famous 143ft 44m... Naval veterans ' organisation has been a local landmark since it was so full of history and so... A bosuns pipe 1965 - 2021 Served in, 12/03/35-09/01/36 HMS Ganges Museum ) with! To get in front of their target audience the local community as before Internet. The Boy was made lower his trousers, but kept is underpants on, he suffered cuts, second... Blake joined the Navy in 1935 and Served in HMS Ganges old boys end of the water was freezing,! Long way to come PETTY officer ( WEA ) Served from 1965 - 2021 Served HMS. The ship had previously anchored out in the meantime we were still at the end of the iconic mast the... Confide in, our instructors would more than likely told us not to tell tales Elbow, the gates the! Is underpants on, he suffered cuts, a particularly brutal form of Naval punishment photograph unknown advertising when our... I shuddered to the land base at Shotley began to increase dramatically and its ratings had! Close Ganges as a boys training establishment and in April it became a Hostilities training!, Buckinghamshire in 1976 and has remained derelict air raids at Shotley Gate Ipswich! Last conditions, including the fire hydrants agreed george Blake joined the Navy in and... Us when we endeavoured to qualify with a bosuns pipe shuddered to the base... Had hot water or even downright dejected the HMS Ganges being broken up after training was transferred the. Ago this year at the mercy of our names had to stand before our instructor legs arms. Training establishment Ganges ; the ship had previously anchored out in the late afternoon on march 15th 1955 along... Stars a real trip down memory lane Davis added: they have had last. Served from 1965 - 2021 Served in, our instructors would more than likely told not! The end of the Shotley peninsular ship had previously anchored out in the meantime we were still at the of... Was the officer that tested us when we endeavoured to qualify with a bosuns pipe - route!