News
I have just received this Email today and decided to use it to open Anecdotes
My name is Ken Day. I am a member of the Club,but live in Santa Rosa. California. Earlier today I spoke on the phone to Fred Read, and he mentioned that you were going to start the Official web site of the club. I met up with Fred last year in April. I left Fred in RAF Fanara, Oct 1954. Here is an attachement photo from Calshot, I was there, Jan 1950 to April 1952, then Fanara to 1954. Will talk more later. Regards Ken Day.
Two Queens at Calshot
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Memories of Pembroke Dock, Fortyeight Years On!!!
By Brian Bateman
My wife and I are just back from a 5-day coach tour around Southern Ireland. This was most enjoyable, but perhaps one of the interesting things was, we sailed from Pembroke Dock by Irish Ferries.
I saw nothing in the town I recognised as we drove in, mainly because a new road has been made into the town You come in on the A477 almost directly from Carmarthen, without going anywhere near Tenby or Pembroke itself. You suddenly appear at the high stone wall that surrounded the camp where the railway line used to enter the camp, near the road that led to Hobbs Point for the Neyland Ferry. The old slipway for the little ferry that shuttled back and forth to Neyland, is still there and possibly the Ferry Boat Inn. The Irish Ferry terminal is actually in what used to be the Camp, you now go in near what used to be the Officers Mess.
There are lots of the old buildings still standing, one was either the Church or the Camp Cinema, (not much difference is there)!!!. The two big hangers are still there that they used to repair the Sunderland's in. Including the one that, when I was bored one weekend when I was on Fire Picket. I climbed the vertical iron ladders that led to the narrow catwalk across the top of the hangers doors. I climbed up one side and down the other, just to see if I had the guts to do it. I did then, but I haven't now.
The main gate that we used in our days is still there, but now leads to a hotel and Restaurant. All the billets have long gone, but many of the Georgian Portland stone buildings are still there, although I cannot remember what they housed in our time. Nostalgically the old jetty that we walked down many, many, times to board the dinghy's etc is still there although in very bad condition. The slip-way we used to paint the Refuellers' on, is still there and is part of a boat repair yard. The Wet dock is still in use and again, how we managed to walk out along those wide balks of timber that the floating pontoons were attached to in the wet dock is beyond me now. Oh the impetuosity of youth.
The Ferry Terminal lays just off the whole area, from just by the slip-way and wet dock, along towards the big slip-way they pulled the aircraft up. It is about 30 yards offshore and is a big concrete structure complete with the foot passenger walkway just beside the jetty I had already mentioned and then there are the vehicle loading ramps.
The high level bridge that replaced the Neyland Ferry, towers over the river and dwarfs the buildings under it, including the ferry Boat Inn. Downstream is installation after installation for the tankers to tie up to. Milford Haven town, now has no trawlers, but many yachts and the doors into the hillside at the Mine Jetty are still there.
There are also many more houses built along the edge of the Haven.
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Calshot & Gan
My name is Ian McKie & a colleague at work called Tony Pearson (ex RAF Marine Craft) showed me your NEWS sheet today, with the picture of the 2 Queens at Calshot. My father was in the RAF from 1936 until his retirement in 1967 and was based at Calshot during his initial training in 201 Sqdn 1937, and later from June 1951 until Sept 1953 as aircrew instructor on the Sunderland V. By that time he was married and myself & my 2 sisters spent many happy hours/days/weeks even down at the slip, doing our best to get a ride on the launches. I recall that a families day was arranged during the testing of the Princess flying boat and we were taken across to Cowes in one of the launches to see some taxiing trials. Later in life I joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service and well recall the last days of Gan as a RAF base. We were the last ship in there, and amidst all the packing up, parties etc, I as Chief Officer was heavily engaged with the Marine craft section unloading what seemed like a lifetimes supply of timber, porcelain wash basins and WC pans, all sent from Singapore & about 5 years late by the look of it. The Section were under orders to leave both the remaining craft afloat & in good working order when the service finally left, but during a memorable Sunday lunch onboard I was offered the opportunity to take either or both boats onboard the ship when we sailed, rather than leave them to sink at their moorings. Alas what had seemd a wonderful idea at the time came to nought when the alcoholic fog cleared and we tried to work out how to lift a pinnace with a steam derrick with a SWL of a mere 5 tons on a good day. Sadly we had to sail away leaving the boats behind. Over my 30 years in the RFA I had many good times with the RAF, not least from the Marine Craft Section, who I was encouraged to join from time to time (usually at the end of alcoholic intakes as I recall) My very best wishes to your association and it's members. Mac McKie _________________________________________________________________________
ST 1506
How's the picture grab you boys? Found in the back of an album. Barry Island ASR 45 Bristol Channel 1943. 1st Cox Ron Jones. B.C Canada.
ajones@img.net
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