Guest Book

Hi Johhny, I went to your pub on my own actually. Northwood was first used for FWC during an exercise in 66 when a party of us went up there whilst some stayed in London. I was on Hermes during 67 then when I left her in 68 it was to go to Northwood. Actually I think you could find more info somewhere on this site. Gill picked all our few brains to write the history of FWC or WFWC and Asweps. Best wishes Ian

Hi Ian, yet another Admiralty name from the past, though my memory of yourself is very hazy, The Pub was called the Metropolitan Southwark. you may of come with Ray and a few others. about late 1966, I see from past photos that you were on the Hermes then. Both Ray and yourself call the Hermes a happy Ship. I was on it sometime earlier and at that time it certainly was not. I have got to retrieve my History sheets from my Son, at present we are discovering our past History, gone back to 1744 which has a mixture of Shipwrights and Victuallers. so ships and booze was in my blood.
When did the FWC move,
Every new entry on this site activates the little grey cells.

Hi Ray, just seen you message about meeting Stevie Howard. Others on Happy H were me, Colin Brenchley and Jock Kuziv. Not sure if Don Watling and Janto Evans were still on when you joined. I have a pic of me Stevie and your good self in 4H2.

Hi Johhny W, we met at Admiralty just before you went outside. I remember going over to your pub one evening but can't remember exactly where it was.

Ray,Connie and I knew each other firstly from Kete and then later she was drafted to Culdrose, she was a wardroom steward and a favourite of Commander Norman Fairfield Jenkins, I still have the lovely telegram he sent to us when we got married in '62.
Sadly she passed away in 2002 from cancer.We didn't quite manage the forty years together.

sorry about missing words this machine has a mind of its own, my little curser flies everywhere. like me getting old.

Yes Ray that wren was indeed my first wife, Tricia nee Barron, was on the course in 1960 when Ken and I were part of the School Staff, often think of her, we have remained friends. I dont think that was Connie at that time, may be wrong, as you say memory is very hazy, I do not remember you on the School staff at that time.
I was the Hermes in Singapore and did have the Occasion to visit Boogie Street. remember a really attractive Lady we called Blue, she always wore Blue. many a sailor had a shock. Ken would more about the Gut, I may of got lost there.
What happened to Pete Rossington, a great chap, he was the PO on the Hermes when I was on there but left early, leaving me in charge.
You will find my first wife in a course photo. we were in the Pub together for four years. bad move.

I seem to remember Ken chasing a Wren at Culdrose when we were on the staff about 1960 or so. Was that the Connie you refer to? Also I remember Johnny falling for a Wren whose name escapes me, at about the same time. Was that your first wife? It's all so hazy - but it's over 50 years ago, so it's bound to be. As for Boogie Street, I got married just before a draft to HMS Terror for 2 years, and my wife was an innocent schoolteacer from Manchester. I took her down Boogie Street to show her the sights. We had rats running over our feet, fist fights between Royal Marines and Army,and beautiful 'women' accosting the matelots. She just could not believe they were men in drag......

I must of missed that part of Pusser training, what happened to conversations of those Tourist attractions, frequented by your hairy a....d Matelot.
The Gut, Boogie Street, Roof Tops and that lovely Avenue in Plymouth, Union Street, never went to them myself
I do all the cooking at home so not completely undomesticated.
.

I too have always washed and pressed all the clothes in our house (well, since the kids have left, that is) Thought I was the only one to look forward to a good pile of ironing before breakfast. But as you say, it's the Pusser training that's caused it. When I was on Hermes, I used to volunteer to work in the Chinese laundry when I was off watch, I was that keen. Hence my yellow complexion, and slitty eyes......