chatham dockyard old apprentices

One barrack block remains from 1757; the rest was largely demolished and rebuilt to a more modern design in the 1930s50s. The lower terraces are one of the first, Officers' Terrace 172223. 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. Last used in 1981. The escalating Anglo-Dutch wars forced their hand, however: several temporary buildings were hastily erected in Sheerness, at the mouth of the Medway, to enable ships to re-arm, re-victual and (if necessary) be repaired as quickly as possible. 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. His picture shows most of the apprentices in his year along with a few from other trades who helped build the float. A Dockyard Apprentice's Story: Hard graft, scrapes and japes on the var fontstart = '' Brunel Saw Mill 1814. [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. On March 31, 1984, Chatham Dockyard closed its doors forever, ending 414 years of history. [35] In 1968, a nuclear submarine refitting complex was built between Nos 6 and 7 dry docks, complete with refuelling cranes and health physics building. ), The final boats constructed in Chatham were Oberon-class submarines Ocelot was the last vessel built for the Royal Navy, and the final vessel was Okanagan built for the Royal Canadian Navy and launched on 17 September 1966. 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). [46], The remaining 350 acres (1.4km2) were transferred to the government's urban regeneration agency (later English Partnerships). [29], A significant disadvantage for Chatham was that fitting out had always taken place on the river. There was an Army hospital at Chatham too. Dockyard personnel documents are usually arranged by yard, so for most searches it is vital to know the name of the yard where the person worked. For Joe, the group is special as they share stories from a 'bygone age that no longer exists'. [39] Redundancy notices were served, but then abruptly withdrawn following the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands; the dockyard was heavily involved in preparing ships for the South Atlantic, and in repairing damaged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. Joe said: "You had to have a sense of humour to have our job - you had to watch your back all the time!". So the boys did, they wore ties. We receive enquiries from all over the world covering a wide range of different subjects. Chatham Naval Dockyard, Kent. [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). This aerial photograph shows the dry docks at Chatham Dockyard. Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc Just ties. 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. '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. Chatham Historic Dockyard For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday Royal Engineers who died 17/04/1916 ARRAS MEMORIAL France ' In its early days, dockyards such as Chatham were the largest industrial centres in the world. Great days out, can still smell the hot dog stand with its fried onions. The Commissioners were:[89]. Welsh Regiment who died 30/04/1916 MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY France ' else { document.write(fontstart+"No major events today"+fontend); } [12], The dockyard received its first royal visit, from Elizabeth I, in 1573; later, in 1606, James I used Chatham dockyard for a meeting with Christian IV of Denmark. 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. What's for dinner? 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 . Some dockyards have changed their name so you may need to search using the alternative names or the dockyard locations provided in above and in the appendix (you can also browse seriesADM 42 to get an idea of what dockyards are covered by the records). Elgar Curling, who was 16 at the time, said: We all still get on a like house on fire. It now houses, South Dock Pumping Station 1822, designed by, Commissioner's House 1704. [26] Another hint of changes to come was seen in the launch of HMS Aetna, the first armour-plated vessel to be built at Chatham, in 1856. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, 3. When Achilles, for example, had been completed and floated out of dry dock, she spent almost a year moored in Gillingham Reach, where not only her engines, boilers, funnels and a 2.5-long-ton (2.54t) propeller, but also masts, sails, rigging, guns, coal, food, ammunition and furnishings were either loaded or installed. Do you have an LGBTQ+ story or experience linked to the Dockyard, the Navy or the Medway Towns that you feel comfortable sharing with us? Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc . [41] The Georgian site is now a visitor attraction under the care of the Trust: Chatham Historic Dockyard. var month=mydate.getMonth()+1 Contact Plymouth Live reporter Molly Dowrick: molly.dowrick@reachplc.com, and she'll put you in contact with a member of the group. The grandfather-of-three said: Apart from working together, we used to go out to nightclubs together where most of us met our partners.. Rifle Brigade who died 09/05/1915 RATION FARM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA CHAPELLE-DARMENTIERES France' Kent ME4 4TZ, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is a Registered Charity No. St Marys Island was just waste land, marsh, nothing, now look at it, he said. 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. 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. var fontend = '' Diamond, one of the Navy's Daring Class Destroyers which was in Dry Dock in one of the Basins. My grandad was an electrician working on the submarines and my dad was an engineer. The Dockyard led to large numbers of military personnel being garrisoned in Chatham and the surrounding area. 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 ' From projects focused on Dockyard workers to the tragedies suffered during the First World War, we are building up a picture of the role and impact the Dockyard has had over four hundred years. And to celebrate their half-century landmark anniversary, they held a reunion at the former naval base in Medway. [9] In the years that followed the ground was prepared, accommodation was secured and in 1570 a mast pond was installed. 10,499 / mo*. Mr Gray also endorsed the expertise handed over to young apprentices. At the time the order was given the vessel was entirely unrigged; yet the masts were raised, sails bent, anchors and cables on board, in that time.[3]. [42], The easternmost basin (Basin No 3) was handed over to the Medway Ports authority and is now a commercial port (Chatham Docks). [134], In 1928 Chatham Barracks was taken over by the Royal Engineers and renamed Kitchener Barracks. For a young lad it was always very impressive.Mon Mar 30 21:56:09 2009, Roger G.J.HaffendenI remember arriving at Chatham Dockyard in the Spring of 1954 to join H.M.S. In the 1960s Portsmouth Dockyard was the largest employer in the area. [8], 1567 is generally seen as the date of Chatham's establishment as a Royal Naval Dockyard. 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. We, as a family, would travel up from East Kent to attend the dockyard when they had a 'Navy Days' event. dailyinfo[19]=' Second Lieutenant Robert Charles Middleton HARPER General List who died 19/04/1917 JERUSALEM MEMORIAL Israel and Palestine (including Gaza) ' [11] The first ship to be built at the dockyard, a 10-gun pinnace named HMS Merlin (or Merlyon), was launched in 1579. They were the good old days,but,it is still a wonderful place to go and visit, I go often. Ten new community-led, affordable homes for local people. Chatham, 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 . 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. Lancashire Fusiliers who died 25/04/1915 HELLES MEMORIAL Turkey (including Gallipoli) ' It is, Commissioner's Garden dating from 1640. Terry Hoare at home in 1963 during his apprenticeship at Chatham Dockyard. 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). When the first Labour budget in eighteen . dailyinfo[5]=' CH/316(S) Private Jack WILSON Chatham Bn. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. Chatham Dockyard apprentice from 1960s wants to find old pals Dockyard apprentices reunited after 50 years The surviving records for dockyard workers tend to be various kinds of records of pay, including muster books (but not after the mid-19th century) and pension records. Some Great War periods covered in these newly-transcribed records: https://thedockyard.co.uk/the-collections/ledgers/. Discover some of the amazing objects found at 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. - See 2,652 traveller reviews, 1,691 candid photos, and great deals for Chatham, UK, at Tripadvisor. Captain of the Dockyard's House 19th century. Dockyard Apprentices June 1975 - Sept 1980 This list of apprentices, both craft and technician, was extracted from a ledger entitled " DEED SIGNING BOOK" . 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. We were all in the same boat together and struck up an instant friendship, which we still have.. Built immediately to the north of the Smithery (the intervening space was later infilled with the Smithery extension of 1867). Bob Chalmers, from Warminster . We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. "It's a nice crowd of boys, it's fun being here," says group member Joe May, 86 from Torpoint. Wed Apr 8 12:02:25 2009. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. At the same time, it was made clear that at Chatham "the dockyard will be retained; but the barracks and other naval establishments will be closed". [20], In 1897 a new, even longer dry dock was opened on the north side of No 1 Basin: at its opening, this (No 9 Dock) was the largest in the world at 650ft (200m) long by 84ft (26m) wide. Almost Full. He said: "It was traditional in my day, if your father was in the dockyard, you'd follow your father into the dockyard.". How the military presence developed after 1820, showing how the need for housing gave birth to New Brompton, and showing roads and railways. Nonetheless, the dockyard closed, as planned, on 31 March 1984.[40]. It was used to house the, No 1 Boiler Shop and No 8 Machine Shop were originally built as slip covers at, Dock Pumping Station 1874: as well as serving to empty dry docks 58 when required, its. From projects focused on . dailyinfo[11]=' Reservist Paul GROLIK 5./I.R.62 German Army who died 11/05/1917 EBBLINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY France ' Another member of the group, John Gibson, 79 from Southway, joined the dockyard as an apprentice in September 1955. I became so attached to the place,(My Home Port!) R.N. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! You are in: Kent > History > Chatham Historic Dockyard > Your memories. 'Everything had to be done by 4pm on Fridays', which made Fridays quite manic and stressful at times, they said. Published 15 June 2021. down the phone. The barracks were set to close in 1961 when the majority of naval personnel were withdrawn from Chatham;[142] however, it went on to serve instead as the RN Supply and Secretariat School in succession to HMSCeres, before finally being closed along with the Dockyard in 1984. The White Yarn House to store the yarn before it was tarred to prevent rot. The first was by exam and accounted for about 125 apprentices and what was called the . 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 .