Fred Cordier has worked in the ropery at Chatham Dockyards for over 40 years. [46], The remaining 350 acres (1.4km2) were transferred to the government's urban regeneration agency (later English Partnerships).
dailyinfo[3]=' 3747 Flight Serjeant Reginald Tom PARRY Air Force Medal 15th Aircraft Acceptance Park Royal Air Force who died 03/05/1919 WELSH NEWTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD United Kingdom '
[15] (The old site was in due course transferred to the Ordnance Board, who established the gun wharf there.) Nicholas, South Africa, last updated: 26/03/2009 at 15:36created: 26/03/2009. In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and all yards and establishments, except gun wharves, were amalgamated under a single authority. The officers all had servants, who were provided with their own accommodation in the garret. If you have memories of Chatham in the Dockyard's heyday then tell us your stories. I spent a couple of nights in the dormitory blocks, before joining Diamond and had a lot of laughs. [127], In 2014 the site was sold to a property developer, with permission given the following year for the building of 295 homes. St Marys Island was just waste land, marsh, nothing, now look at it, he said. The man did, John says, and told his boss he had a hacksaw between his teeth so he could fish for swordfish. There was an annual intake of some 300 boys between 15 and 16 years old in two intakes September and January. He knows some have passed away but apart from his mate, Trevor Woodhouse, he is having difficulty in tracing some of them. [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. Anchor Wharf Store Houses 17781805 (at nearly 700 feet [210m] long) are the largest storehouses ever built for the navy. A fifth dry dock (No 9) was added in 1895 on the north side of No 1 Basin, opposite the other four, to accommodate the new, larger battleships which were then under construction. [20] The docks varied from 160ft (49m) to 186ft (57m) in length. John also remembers calling his friend, who worked as a cleaner, the nickname 'Horse's head,' so whenever he was on a big ship, they'd call out 'Oi, Horses's head' to make him jump. [20], Among the vessels built in this Dockyard which still exist are HMSVictory (launched in 1765 and now preserved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard)[22] and HMSUnicorn (a Leda-class frigate), launched in 1824 and now preserved afloat at Dundee). But he likes to remember the time he bet a colleague 1 to jump in the water wearing the sacks. The Pay Office was moved here in 1750 from Hill House. dailyinfo[20]=' 3/1423 Private John QUINN 2nd Bn. Do you know of any detailed records of casualties passing through Chatham RNH. // Stop Define Variables for days of the month
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).. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. New married quarters were also opened in March that same year, into which soldiers' families were moved, mostly from lodgings in the town. This guide will help you find records of the staff of Royal Navy dockyards, victualling yards and other naval establishments from around the 1920s or before. 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. 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 dockyard closed in the 1980s and is now a museum. A further 3,000 troops could be accommodated in times of "total emergency" (900 were sleeping in the Drill Hall when it suffered a direct hit from two bombs in September 1917, which killed over 130 men). Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc . [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. Regularly taking the mickey out of each other, the group told Plymouth Live that it was crucial to have a good sense of humour. New positions were created such as inspector of steam machinery, as steam factories were attached to major yards. [9] In the years that followed the ground was prepared, accommodation was secured and in 1570 a mast pond was installed. The grandfather-of-three said: Apart from working together, we used to go out to nightclubs together where most of us met our partners.. [28] In 1860 the dockyard's policing was also transferred to the new No.4 Division of the Metropolitan Police, which remained in that role until 1932. Also in 1686 a 'Great Long Store-house' was built, alongside the ropery on what is now Anchor Wharf;[10] and two new mast ponds were constructed, in what was then the northernmost part of the yard, in 1697 and 1702. The names that I have are Bob Piper, Calvin Sims, Chris Wyatt, Tony Davies, Malcolm Copper, Terry OHagan, Stuart Lukey, Ed Salvage, Ian Privet, Mick Tucker, Michael Arnell, Malcolm Bain, Allan Fudge, Barry Goble, Dennis Purvis, Bernhard Reed, Malcolm Reglar, Joseph Shears, Alan Weatley and John Miller.. if (year < 1000) year+=1900
Bob Chalmers, from Warminster, Wiltshire, was part of the September 1964 intake and he is hoping to organise a reunion. "We made sure he won," Keith said, "He won a chicken, a live chicken, he didn't know what to do with it! 'Everything had to be done by 4pm on Fridays', which made Fridays quite manic and stressful at times, they said. [121] Most of the 18th-century buildings were demolished, with the exception of the Storekeeper's House of 1719, which survives as the Command House public house. Plymouth Argyle legend Paul Wotton leads Truro City to promotion, Finley Craske, a loan signing from Argyle, was part of the Truro team which won the Southern League Premier South Play-Off Final, Former winery transformed into idyllic 'private' and 'peaceful' family home, The property has sufficient space to create the 'ideal pony paddock', Doctor warns of nine symptoms of 'silent killer' that women shouldn't ignore, Ovarian cancer is often called a 'silent killer' because warning signs often don't become apparent until the disease is advanced, Peek inside Plymouth's 'secret' tennis club as it opens up for new members, The Stonehouse Lawn Tennis Club has grass courts, gardens, allotments and, Affordable homes to tackle housing crisis to built on former youth club site. From projects focused on . He stated that in his experience 7025 was the best HL he served on. The building functioned as a "present use store" except for the upper floor, which was a, Sail and Colour Loft 1723. When a new boss joined the recorders' division in the 1970s, he informed the employees 'You will all wear ties,' said John. Posted 11 June , 2020 . The dockyard, always pulled together and pulled out all the stops to get things done, especially for the navy. [45] In 2019 Peel announced that Chatham Docks would close in 2025 with the loss of 800 jobs. Ultimately they meet up to share their dockyard memories and amusing stories. I later worked on such ships as HMS Lincoln, Warspite, Spitfire, Torquay, Hebe, Vidal, Hydra and many many more. I remember arriving at Chatham Dockyard in the Spring of 1954 to join H.M.S. This is the oldest surviving naval building in England. [20] Another novel application of steam power was embarked on in 1817, with the building of a 'Lead and Paint Mill', in which a single beam engine powered a rolling mill and a series of devices for grinding pigment and mixing paint; the plant was operational from 1819. The officers and men employed in the yard had also increased, and by 1798 they numbered 1,664, including 49 officers and clerks and 624 shipwrights. He was admitted to Chatham Hospital on 30th June 1915 but doesnt specify RNH. [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.) Apprenticeships in HM Royal Naval Dockyard, Chatham. [25] For the time being, however, marine steam engines were not manufactured on site but were ordered from Thames-based private contractors (along with other associated equipment). Built on the site of what had been the convict prison, the barracks complex could accommodate 4,742 officers and seamen in a series of large blocks built along the length of a terrace. In 1812 the Royal Engineers Establishment was founded within the barracks to provide instruction in military engineering. [33], Nevertheless, Light cruisers and other smaller vessels continued to be built at Chatham during the first half of the 20th century. ). In 1717 the original Storehouse was replaced with the Grand Store (a much larger three-storey building, contemporary with and of a similar style to, the Main Gatehouse in the Dockyard). DavidWent to Navy Days, both as a toddler with my parents and later as 8-10 yr old with school friends. ), electric & acetylene welding and the Blacksmiths shop.In travelling along Dock Road my memories go back to the check-in booths where we were checked against our photo and a recent trip along Luton Road recalled the many hours spent at the Dockyard Apprentices Club.At one stage in my Naval career, I served as a Shipwright Training Instructor at H.M.S Caledonia at Rosyth in Scotland where the Naval Shipwright training was subsequently transferred I have many more memories, too many to relate here but I hope these will be sufficient to remind others reading this of happy times spent in the Dockyard. Joseph Farington (17471821) was commissioned by the Navy Board to paint a panoramic view of Chatham Dockyard (as part of a project to create a visual record of all six home yards) in 1785. A group of local men meet every six weeks and reminisce of a bygone era, Get the latest nostalgia features and photo stories straight to your inbox. It was not until 1837, however, that steam power was first introduced into the ropery, and the smithery received its first engine (for blowing the forges and powering tilt hammers) in 1841. Captain of the Dockyard's House 19th century. 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.. On March 31, 1984, Chatham Dockyard closed its doors forever, ending 414 years of history. Mike, a freelance presenter who presented a Sunday evening show called Go North, covered countryside pursuits, book reviews and interviews with Portsmouth personalities. Thus deliveries of victuals, ordnance and other supplies were made by small boats, sailing regularly between Chatham and The Nore. It was 50 years ago these former Chatham Dockyard apprentices met for the first time. Dad worked on the submarines for years, and only left when the Dock Yard closed, Many people would have know him as Nobby, but sadly passed away . Hoo resident Terry Hoard is looking for Chatham Dockyard friends from the 1960s. dailyinfo[29]=' 4547 Lance Corporal Albert FERGUSSON 1st Bn. In the years of peace after 1815 Chatham continued to serve as a major embarkation port for troops serving overseas. The chances of finding someone by name within this series are steadily improving as details are added to the online catalogue as part of the Navy Board cataloguing project. who died 04/05/1917 AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL MEMORIAL New Zealand '
Chatham, These may be answered face-to-face in the case of the Reading Room collections or by telephone, letter, or email for our archive and object holdings. The 1964 intake of Dockyard apprentices who built the old woman's shoe, of nursery rhyme fame, for Southsea Carnival. The White Yarn House to store the yarn before it was tarred to prevent rot. [115], An Ordnance Yard was established in the 17th century immediately upriver of the Dockyard (on the site of the original Tudor yard, vacated in 1622). Brewer: August 1980 August 1982. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Over 414 years Chatham Royal Dockyard provided more than 500 ships for the Royal Navy, and was at the forefront of shipbuilding, industrial and architectural technology. var daym=mydate.getDate()
Also Grade II* listed. Starts from. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. I have a copy of his Army Form 103 Casualty Form that traces his movement from CCS in Gallipoli to RNH Malta (although Im not sure which one but probably Bighi) back to UK but after that Ive drawn a blank. var day=mydate.getDay()
Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. The decision established Chatham as the country's premier naval industrial complex; nevertheless, concerns were already being raised over its river being prone to silting. var mydate=new Date()
Constructed from timber recycled from warships probably from the. I became so attached to the place,(My Home Port!) For Joe, the group is special as they share stories from a 'bygone age that no longer exists'. The Dock would be filled with all types of Naval ships, decked out with flags & crew dressed in their dress uniforms. Archives, Open Government Licence The northern building was used as a fitted rigging house, and a general store for equipment to fit out newly built ships. Wed Aug 25 00:38:58 2004. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 400 acres (1.6km2). Captain Sir Thomas Bourchier, 20 September 1846 5 May 1849, Rear-Admiral A.L. When the first Labour budget in eighteen . They are Bernard (Bernie) Olley, Tony Packer and Roderick (Ricky) Pond. [136] The new development has retained the name Kitchener Barracks. It remained thus until 1958 when the yards were closed (the Army depot having served latterly as an atomic weapons research laboratory). Chatham's establishment as a naval dockyard was precipitated by the use of the Medway as a safe anchorage by the ships of what became (under King Henry VIII) England's permanent Royal Navy. [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. All of these Apprentices are bound to Masters whose names and trades are also included. [20], No 1 Basin was officially opened in 1871, with HMS Invincible being brought into No 5 Dock for repairs, with great ceremony. The site was expanded and rebuilt in the 1860s; in 1905 the Royal Marines took over Melville Barracks, which stood between Dock Road and Brompton Hill (it had formerly served as Chatham's Royal Naval Hospital). seaJane. Undoubtedly there are countless memories and stories from the dockyard, particularly 'the bygone era' of the 1950s and 1960s, when times were very different, but many of them don't get recorded or spoken about. Some or all of the recommended publications below may be available to buy from The National Archives Bookshop. [131], During the Napoleonic Wars large numbers of troops were concentrated at Chatham Lines to counter the threat of a French invasion. The main 1930s barracks building is being retained, along with the remaining earlier structures. Buy from bookshop. dailyinfo[4]=' 13/927 Trooper James Werner MAGNUSSON Albert Medal Auckland Mounted Rifles, N.Z.E.F. The Establishment grew, and by 1856 the Artillery had moved out; Brompton Barracks remains in service as headquarters of the Royal Engineers.