I still sometimes wonder if my name I painted on a beam in the apprentice building with a 6" brush is still there. Glenn, USA, "My Grandfather worked in the dockyard, he was a shipbuilder and worked night and day during the WW2. From 1844 St Mary's was used as an 'Invalid Barracks', accommodating soldiers having to return from service in different parts of the British Empire because of illness, injury or age. Bob recalls: In the second year we were given the job of building the Dockyard entry for the 1965 Southsea Carnival which was based on the old woman who lived in a shoe.. 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. [39] Redundancy notices were served, but then abruptly withdrawn following the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands; the dockyard was heavily involved in preparing ships for the South Atlantic, and in repairing damaged vessels on their return. 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. We are currently exploring alternative, hidden histories within our collection and looking at broadening the range of voices we represent. Pembroke Royal Navy who died 18/04/1918 GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY, KENT United Kingdom ' They spent much of the time relaying fond memories of working and socialising together. I am 82 years of age and was a Naval Shipwright Apprentice (Dockyard number 21413) in Chatham Dockyard from 1941 until 1945. dailyinfo[23]=' 20589 Corporal Elias JONES Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and Bar 14th Bn. This was a somewhat unusual apprenticeship as we were required to sign on with the Royal Navy for twelve years from the age of eighteen, part of which was to complete a 4 year apprenticeship in Chatham Dockyard. For England this will usually mean one ofthe following six Royal Navy dockyards (the years in brackets are opening and closing dates): The Royal Navy also had dockyards in Wales, Scotland and Ireland: There were other Royal Navy dockyards and naval establishments overseas including: See the National Maritime Museum Caird Librarywebsite for another abridged list of dockyards. [20] The following year, John Rennie was engaged to build an entirely new dry dock (following his own recommendations) which was the first in the dockyard to be built entirely of stone; it was built on the site of the old smithery. For Joe, the group is special as they share stories from a 'bygone age that no longer exists'. Saw HMS Jamaica of Bismarck fame and I believe we saw HMS Manxman too in which a friend's uncle had served during WW2. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of it and the amount of hustle and bustle that was all about. We receive enquiries from all over the world covering a wide range of different subjects. [130] During this time, Chatham Dept provided basic training for new recruits. Also, is it definitely RNH? Paul Makin | Engine Fitter Apprentice