chatham dockyard old apprentices

[36] Poland, 5 September 1950 May 1951, Rear-Admiral John Y. Thompson: October 1958 February 1961, Rear-Admiral I.William T. Beloe: February 1961 December 1963, Rear-Admiral George M.K. Rifle Brigade who died 09/05/1915 RATION FARM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA CHAPELLE-DARMENTIERES France' 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. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 400 acres (1.6km2). Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent.Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham (at its most extensive, in the early 20th century, two-thirds of the dockyard lay in Gillingham, one-third in Chatham).. dailyinfo[21]=' Lieutenant Colonel John Michell CLARKE Royal Army Medical Corps who died 21/04/1918 BRISTOL (CANFORD) CEMETERY United Kingdom ' (The covering of Chatham's slipways and dry docks, to protect the woodwork of ships as they were built or repaired, had begun with No 2 Slip and No 1 Dock in 1817). Mr Gray also endorsed the expertise handed over to young apprentices. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! [8], 1567 is generally seen as the date of Chatham's establishment as a Royal Naval Dockyard. Initially a purpose-built 'steam factory' was planned, but following the closure of Woolwich Dockyard in 1869 a number of slip covers were removed from that site and re-erected at the head of the new dry docks to serve as factories for building and fitting engines and for boilermaking. Until 1814 timber was cut by pairs of men, one above and one below the log. In the interwar years, eight S-class submarines as well as X1 were built at Chatham but this was a period of decline. dailyinfo[9]=' 3094 Rifleman James William NEWELL 2nd Bn. Old Sweats; 9.3k Location: Somerset (Wiltshire/Dorset border) Interests: The West Africa squadron in the 1840s; naval medicine; First World War, especially in poetry . I remember arriving at Chatham Dockyard in the Spring of 1954 to join H.M.S. Poor Law union indexes and papers (1836-1920) . However he was readmitted to RNH Chatham on 9/11/1915as case number 312. Keith also remembers a Christmas meal he and his dockyard colleagues had when the focus was on pranking and not their dinner Alongside their meal, the group held a draw with prizes. [127] The Infantry Barracks went on to serve as a home depot for numerous regiments. The project also includes ADM 354 and ADM 359; these records are at the National Maritime Museum. After the war's end, they went on to serve as a gunpowder store for a time, and were used by the Royal Engineers (based nearby in Brompton Barracks). dailyinfo[29]=' 4547 Lance Corporal Albert FERGUSSON 1st Bn. The weekend event was organised by Tony Gray, who at 66 is still working part-time as a consultant. //-->, By - Chris, Cuxton, "I began as a coppersmith apprentice at Chatham Dockyard, and ended up as a Mechanical Design Draughtsman before I left and moved to the USA in 1981. At around the same time a large house was leased (the Hill House) for administrative purposes including meetings of the Council of Marine Causes. This is the oldest surviving naval building in England. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence 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. The man did, John says, and told his boss he had a hacksaw between his teeth so he could fish for swordfish. In 1758, there were 43 pairs of. research. var month=mydate.getMonth()+1 Three basins were constructed along St Mary's creek, from west to east: No 1 Basin (of 28 acres (110,000m2)), No 2 Basin (20 acres (81,000m2)) and No 3 Basin (21 acres (85,000m2)). As a result, it was acknowledged by 1771 that Chatham had no future as a front-line fleet base;[20] nevertheless, following a visit by the Admiralty Board in 1773, the decision was taken to invest further in Chatham, and to develop it as a building yard rather than a refitting base. The growing importance of the dockyard was illustrated with the addition soon afterwards of a mast pond, and the granting of additional land on which a second (double) dry dock was constructed, along with a sail loft, a ropery and residences for the dockyard officers: all of which were completed by 1624. [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. It was 50 years ago these former Chatham Dockyard apprentices met for the first time. Documents are usually arranged by yard, so for most searches it is vital to know the name of the yard where the person worked. Brewer: August 1980 August 1982. [37] (In the event, the barracks were reprieved and repurposed rather than being closed at this stage. The building functioned as a "present use store" except for the upper floor, which was a, Sail and Colour Loft 1723. Today the range of buildings and structures . [11] The first ship to be built at the dockyard, a 10-gun pinnace named HMS Merlin (or Merlyon), was launched in 1579. The indenture was a contract signed by the apprentice, the parent / guardian and the Admirality on satisfactory completion of a 3 month probation period. It has several themed areas with traditional maritime buildings, a fishing (though in looks only) village with its multi-coloured houses and a modern energy-efficient concept. Powered by Invision Community, Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc, The West Africa squadron in the 1840s; naval medicine; First World War, especially in poetry, art and fiction, GWF is free to use so please support the Forum. Elgar Curling, who was 16 at the time, said: We all still get on a like house on fire. 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. The Dockyard led to large numbers of military personnel being garrisoned in Chatham and the surrounding area. Sign up for a new account in our community. Did you or your family, work there on the ships? If you have a specific enquiry relating to an object in our collections and cannot find the information you need online, please contact collections@chdt.org.uk. [130] During this time, Chatham Dept provided basic training for new recruits. He has two sons Samuel, 35, and Lloyd, 39, who went into engineering. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? MDL Apprentice Training School, Certificate Distribution of ''Supervisory Development Program'' for Graduate/Diploma Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 - 16.03.2023 . But he said without helping me out in the garage ripping out engines, he wouldnt have a clue.. Under its remit, the westernmost (No 1) Basin was turned into a marina, part of the former factory area to the south was transformed into an entertainment and retail complex ('Chatham Maritime') and the former Barracks (HMS Pembroke) became Universities at Medway. London Regiment who died 08/05/1915 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL Belgium ' The White Yarn House to store the yarn before it was tarred to prevent rot. Some or all of the recommended publications below may be available to buy from The National Archives Bookshop. One of the boys' favourite moments is the time they bent the new uniform rules. - David, Germany, "From 1980-1984 I sold newspapers on board all the ships that docked in the yard, I was a young lad of 11 when I started, and only stopped after my father was transferred to Plymouth Dockyard in 1985. Also, after a reunion in 1993 at Gravesend Rowing Club, Terry said the whereabouts of two of the attendees, John Doggett and Ted Leftley, is now unknown. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. [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. [24] By 1861, No 1 Dock had been filled in and a machine shop constructed in its place for heating, bending and planing armour plate for HMS Achilles which was being built alongside. My son got good qualifications and worked in Formula 1 racing. [119], Chatham Infantry Barracks was opened in 1757 to house troops manning the fortifications which had recently been built to defend the Dockyard. Not long afterwards a large new single-storey Carriage Store, with a long frontage parallel to the river, was constructed, adjoining the Storekeeper's House to the south. Similar but smaller blocks to the north and south housed ancillary services, such as the pay office, infirmary and Quartermaster's stores. Twelve houses built for senior officers in the Dockyard. [30] Work on the other docks and basins followed, with No 3 Basin finally being completed in 1883. [48], Chatham Dockyard has become a popular location for filming, due to its varied and interesting areas such as the cobbled streets, church and over 100 buildings dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. '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. St Marys Island was just waste land, marsh, nothing, now look at it, he said. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is committed to helping the public who have enquiries about our collections. dailyinfo[18]=' J/71444 Ordinary Seaman John Dolby DIAPER H.M.S. The Dockyard apprenticeships were some of the best in the UK. [134] In 1865, following the opening of new and enlarged hospital facilities in Fort Pitt, the old Garrison Hospital was closed; its buildings (on what is now Maxwell Road) were converted into barracks and named 'Upper Chatham Barracks'[135] (later 'Upper Kitchener Barracks'). When a new boss joined the recorders' division in the 1970s, he informed the employees 'You will all wear ties,' said John. Greetings to all the Chatham Dockyard Apprentices that began their long journeys 65 years ago on the 10th September 1956 and are still standing,as well as those before and after. And to celebrate their half-century landmark anniversary, they held a reunion at the former naval base in Medway. It came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with . Designed by Edward Holl, it has a gallery supported on cast iron columns, one of the first uses of cast iron in the dockyard. Unlike the earlier timber docks, which were drained using gravity, this new dock (No 3 Dock) was pumped dry using a Boulton & Watt steam engine. He says the dockyard here was a lot more relaxed than in Chatham. Chatham Naval Dockyard, Kent. She said plans to upgrade her garden, part of her retirement after 38 years in the NHS, have now been put on hold, People with these 57 health conditions can get more than 400 a month from DWP, The support is available to millions of people, Plymouth Civic Square improvements are starting to take shape. The Black Yarn House to store the tarred yarn. Careening took place on the river, according to a Privy Council instruction of 1550;[7] for more specialised repairs and maintenance, however, ships would have had to travel to one of the purpose-built royal dockyards (the nearest being those on the Thames: Deptford and Woolwich). Back in the day, the gentlemen, who are aged between 79 and 86, were pranksters! Regards Roger Haffenden. I became so attached to the place,(My Home Port!) How the military presence developed after 1820, showing how the need for housing gave birth to New Brompton, and showing roads and railways. dailyinfo[15]=' 6963 Private Albert CHRISTIE 1st Bn. 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. if (dailyinfo[daym] != "") { document.write(fontstart+dailyinfo[daym]+fontend) } dailyinfo[17]=' 79947 Sapper Andrew WATT 173rd Tunnelling Coy. [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.) This is a story of the creation of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and its history, from Elizabethan origins to fleet base and shipbuilding yard . Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. "Killingholme" Royal Naval Air Service who died 27/04/1916 CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL United Kingdom ' 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. He knows some have passed away but apart from his mate, Trevor Woodhouse, he is having difficulty in tracing some of them. dailyinfo[10]=' 837119 Gunner Alexander BROOKS Military Medal "A" Bty. The lower terraces are one of the first, Officers' Terrace 172223. seaJane. Thanks seaJane. The father-of-three, who lives with wife Jenny in Hoo, went into the building trade and kept in contact with a couple of the group. dailyinfo[23]=' 20589 Corporal Elias JONES Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and Bar 14th Bn. ! Early History of the Royal Yards and the original Dockyard of Chatham chap 1 1 The New Dockyard 7 Ship List, 1586- 1660 13 Notes on the Rating and Tonnage of Ships 15 Estimate of Costs for a 3rd-rate 16 . The oldest surviving naval storehouse in any Royal Dockyard. These were built to a standard design with bays 45 by 20 feet (13.7 by 6.1m). I later worked on such ships as HMS Lincoln, Warspite, Spitfire, Torquay, Hebe, Vidal, Hydra and many many more. Dr. Gilbert Share this specific contribution. 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. Coordinates: 512350N 003140E / 51.39722N 0.52778E / 51.39722; 0.52778 Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional . It was somewhat unfortunate that, on the one occasion when it was required for actionthe Raid on the Medway, 1667the Dutch fleet were able to sail right past it to attack the English fleet and carry off the pride of the fleet, HMS Royal Charles, back to the Netherlands. Though I have been on visits it's just not the same!" Although the yard focused mainly on refitting and repairs, some shipbuilding continued to take place. The military hospital at Chatham at Fort Pitt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died 23/04/1918 WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION France ' Combined Ship Trade Office 1880: now the "Ship & Trades" public house. [128], Within the space of 20 years, Chatham Barracks had taken on an additional role as the Army Dept of Recruits and Invalids: accommodating 'a mixed mass of people, viz. document.write; [110], On 5 September 1971 all Flag Officers of the Royal Navy holding positions of Admiral Superintendents at Royal Dockyards were redesignated as Port Admirals. Welsh Regiment who died 31/03/1918 KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY Greece ' The ponds were connected by canal. [55], The Captain of the Dockyard's House and flagstaff, Double Ropewalk and Black Yarn House to right, The Victorian Steam Yard was built around three large Basins (wet docks), constructed between 1865 and 1885 along the line of St Mary's Creek (separating St Mary's Island from the mainland). Chatham, dailyinfo[13]=' Gefreiter Richard STROEBER 12./R.I.R.22 German Army who died 13/04/1918 ERQUINGHEM-LYS CHURCHYARD EXTENSION France ' Many homes have views of the River Medway. Hawkins' chain was later replaced with a boom of masts, iron, cordage, and the hulls of two old ships, besides a couple of ruined pinnacles. Money was only made available for one such installation, however, and Chatham (as the principal building yard at this time) was chosen as its location. Kent ME4 4TZ, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is a Registered Charity No. Regularly taking the mickey out of each other, the group told Plymouth Live that it was crucial to have a good sense of humour. It's easy! When young Robert started there in 1958, the docks employed 6000 people on a two-mile long site encompassing hundreds of workshops, offices and storehouses as well as its own police .