When I joined the Navy in 1957 just 2 months shy of my 17th birthday I arrived having spent the previous 3 years in a Nautical training establishment at Portishead, it was actually an Approved school just one step away from Borstal, so I avoided Ganges altogether and thank the lord for that. Of course I met many ex Ganges boys, easily spotted by their red name tags, I particularly remember Peter Helliwell who would have been “Button boy” for the Queen's visit in 1961 but for a broken ankle. An unlucky lad who joined his first ship later that year, ( Battle class destroyer Trafalgar ) as the youngest member of the ships company and then got killed on the back of a motorbike before the ship put to sea. A messmate gone but not forgotten. I listened to many stories from Ganges and compared them with my experiences in what is nowadays called a “young offenders institution” and thought just how lucky I had been. For a start there was no corporal punishment, I was caned at Grammar school (for smoking) before I got expelled, but not at Portishead. There was no running up and down hills or steps either, the most severe punishment was reserved for absconders, (always caught next day) who had to jog round and round the gym until they dropped. There was a mast, it was about 15 ft tall with a platform half way up that was supposed to represent the Chains where we stood and practised heaving the lead and shouting “ BY THE MARK 10”. A completely useless skill because long before the fifties somebody had invented an Echo Sounder. One thing we did have to watch out for was sexual abuse. Not from the staff I hasten to add, they were all ex servicemen who had been through the war and were looking for a quiet life. I don't have a bad word to say about any of them. The problem was other boys, bigger boys, “big cheeses” as we called them. The age range at Portishead was between 13 and 17, that’s a big difference, and you are on your own when the dormitory lights go out. I was a fairly beefy 14 year old, captain of the school rugger team when I got there but still carry a broken nose to this day, now 84. Don’t use the night heads, that's what I’m saying.
That sounds worrying, about the 'Abuse'. That must have been terrifying for the poor lads targeted. 13 and 17 is a big age range {I'm a mum!} - I hope you were able to defend yourself and gave the attacker a busted nose as well! I had a lovely Boss years ago who had been in the Navy - Johnny Beer. Singapore was a place he talked about a lot. He'd be over 100 if alive today, Bless him.
Sounds Like Dartford sea cadets, everyone else from the Borstal and one ten year old from Dartford Grammar school (me). Was allowed to play with the transmitters which was why I wanted to go there. Not nearly as bad as public school which I attended later.
His next of kin should be able to get a copy of his service documents from Disclosure Cell, Room 48 West Battery, Whale Island, Portsmouth PO28DX asking for docs, need full name and official number, or phone 02392 62 8667 or via this website www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records.
@@GangesBoy Fascinating documentary. I wonder how teens these days would fare with that harsh treatment. The discipline and getting fit is good, but chucking boys who can't swim confidently in the deep end, while wearing heavy clothing seems so dangerous. I understand that it was for training, in case a Ship went down and the lad found himself in the Ocean fighting for his life.. But to drown in a swimming pool seems such a waste of a life. So say the pool had more casualties than the Mast! - that was a surprise. It looked a wonderful display , climbing up, then flowing down, almost like rats shimmying down ropes - so fast and agile! 👍
@@Oakleaf700 I joined in 1965 and a lot had changed by then. I couldn't swim when I joined but the PTI who took us for swimming lessons every morning before the others were awake, he was just interested in getting us all to a standard so we could pass the test. No one was chucked in at that time. From my own point of view the treatment was a little harsh at times but nothing when compared to those who went before us. The Boys who were trained on the old HMS Ganges (the sailing ship) and the like really had it tough. Not many Boys from the 60's would have been able to cope with the old place. I attended 2 senior schools and as far as I know I was the only one from my years who joined Ganges and I had my own reasons for joining and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I got the training I wanted and made lifelong friends who I would trust with my life.
Strong memories, good to see this, thank you
I have this dvd but unfortunately it was low quality and won’t play anymore. So glad you have downloaded it to TH-cam.💯👍
Well done. Good to see it back online
Big thanks to you.
You have brought back many mixed memories for which I thank you, we could do with one or two of these facilities today!
When I joined the Navy in 1957 just 2 months shy of my 17th birthday I arrived having spent the previous 3 years in a Nautical training establishment at Portishead, it was actually an Approved school just one step away from Borstal, so I avoided Ganges altogether and thank the lord for that. Of course I met many ex Ganges boys, easily spotted by their red name tags, I particularly remember Peter Helliwell who would have been “Button boy” for the Queen's visit in 1961 but for a broken ankle. An unlucky lad who joined his first ship later that year, ( Battle class destroyer Trafalgar ) as the youngest member of the ships company and then got killed on the back of a motorbike before the ship put to sea. A messmate gone but not forgotten. I listened to many stories from Ganges and compared them with my experiences in what is nowadays called a “young offenders institution” and thought just how lucky I had been. For a start there was no corporal punishment, I was caned at Grammar school (for smoking) before I got expelled, but not at Portishead. There was no running up and down hills or steps either, the most severe punishment was reserved for absconders, (always caught next day) who had to jog round and round the gym until they dropped. There was a mast, it was about 15 ft tall with a platform half way up that was supposed to represent the Chains where we stood and practised heaving the lead and shouting “ BY THE MARK 10”. A completely useless skill because long before the fifties somebody had invented an Echo Sounder. One thing we did have to watch out for was sexual abuse. Not from the staff I hasten to add, they were all ex servicemen who had been through the war and were looking for a quiet life. I don't have a bad word to say about any of them. The problem was other boys, bigger boys, “big cheeses” as we called them. The age range at Portishead was between 13 and 17, that’s a big difference, and you are on your own when the dormitory lights go out. I was a fairly beefy 14 year old, captain of the school rugger team when I got there but still carry a broken nose to this day, now 84. Don’t use the night heads, that's what I’m saying.
That sounds worrying, about the 'Abuse'. That must have been terrifying for the poor lads targeted. 13 and 17 is a big age range {I'm a mum!} - I hope you were able to defend yourself and gave the attacker a busted nose as well!
I had a lovely Boss years ago who had been in the Navy - Johnny Beer. Singapore was a place he talked about a lot.
He'd be over 100 if alive today, Bless him.
Sounds Like Dartford sea cadets, everyone else from the Borstal and one ten year old from Dartford Grammar school (me). Was allowed to play with the transmitters which was why I wanted to go there. Not nearly as bad as public school which I attended later.
Wonderful memories of HMS Gangrene.
Wonderful memories of my time at Ganges, 63 recruitment! Thank you!
1969, 13 recruitment. Boys to Men.
Good memories of Ganges joined May 72 Drake 9 mess.
my father was a POPTI at ganges from 66 to 72....!
Can anyone advise me if records are available to research my Grandfathers records. He was a Ganges boy in 1936?
His next of kin should be able to get a copy of his service documents from Disclosure Cell, Room 48 West Battery, Whale Island, Portsmouth PO28DX asking for docs, need full name and official number, or phone 02392 62 8667 or via this website www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records.
@@GangesBoyThank you for your advise!!!
@@GangesBoy Fascinating documentary. I wonder how teens these days would fare with that harsh treatment. The discipline and getting fit is good, but chucking boys who can't swim confidently in the deep end, while wearing heavy clothing seems so dangerous.
I understand that it was for training, in case a Ship went down and the lad found himself in the Ocean fighting for his life..
But to drown in a swimming pool seems such a waste of a life.
So say the pool had more casualties than the Mast! - that was a surprise.
It looked a wonderful display , climbing up, then flowing down, almost like rats shimmying down ropes - so fast and agile! 👍
@@Oakleaf700 I joined in 1965 and a lot had changed by then. I couldn't swim when I joined but the PTI who took us for swimming lessons every morning before the others were awake, he was just interested in getting us all to a standard so we could pass the test. No one was chucked in at that time.
From my own point of view the treatment was a little harsh at times but nothing when compared to those who went before us. The Boys who were trained on the old HMS Ganges (the sailing ship) and the like really had it tough.
Not many Boys from the 60's would have been able to cope with the old place. I attended 2 senior schools and as far as I know I was the only one from my years who joined Ganges and I had my own reasons for joining and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I got the training I wanted and made lifelong friends who I would trust with my life.
38 recruitment hawke division sept 72.
i was resolution 21 mess last but one bottom of the long covered way on the left
Oooo my god 33 trust that number to stay
Great to see the place again