H.M.S Royal Arthur training camp |
The 22nd February 1944, I still remember it clearly, it was a cold winters morning and I got up with my Dad about 6.30a.m. He went to work about 7 a.m and left me with Mam and the rest of the family. It was a struggle for Mam as Sheilagh, my youngest sister was only three weeks old and there were five more to get off to school.
However I said my goodbyes and set off for the station. I was joined at the bus stop by Lol Callaghan, a school friend who was joining with me. At the station we were joined by eight others from the area and gathered together by a W.R.E.N officer who explained that we were going to Skegness to join H.M.S Royal Arthur which was a training camp (formerly Butlins Holiday Camp). She promptly put me in charge of the other nine, gave me a stack of papers and travel vouchers, shook hands, wished us luck and disappeared.
Arriving at Skegness we were met at the station by a group of petty officers and our party was joined by several others from all over the country, we were herded into a fleet of lorries and off we went to Butlins.
At Butlins (H.M.S Royal Arthur) we soon learnt it was no holiday camp, as soon as you come through the gate you were considered to be on board a ship and had to double (run) across the Quarter deck, in our case, carrying our cases and carrier bags. We spent that day and the next being kitted out and it seemed as if our whole time was spent saluting - officers insisted on this and barked at you if you didnt.
After the kitting out we started our basic training as ordinary seamen in the Kings Navy.
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