chatham dockyard old apprentices

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. It remained thus until 1958 when the yards were closed (the Army depot having served latterly as an atomic weapons research laboratory). [16], Peter Pett, of the family of shipwrights whose history is closely connected to the Chatham dockyard, became commissioner in 1649. Thus deliveries of victuals, ordnance and other supplies were made by small boats, sailing regularly between Chatham and The Nore. 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At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 400 acres (1.6km2). For records of workers from the last 100 years you should start your search at one of the dockyard historical trusts or societies or at a local county or metropolitan archive. var year=mydate.getYear() This building retains it original structure and roof glazing. I remember arriving at Chatham Dockyard in the Spring of 1954 to join H.M.S. In 1550, a decree was issued to the Lord High Admiral that: all the Kinges shippes should be harborowed in Jillyngham Water saving only those that be at Portsmouth[5], Even prior to this, there is evidence of certain shore facilities being established in the vicinity for the benefit of the King's ships at anchor: there are isolated references from as early as 1509 to the hiring of a storehouse nearby[6] and from 1547 this becomes a fixed item in the Treasurer's annual accounts. Almost Full. [134], In 1928 Chatham Barracks was taken over by the Royal Engineers and renamed Kitchener Barracks. Maritime history records held by other archives. Welsh Regiment who died 31/03/1918 KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY Greece ' [8], 1567 is generally seen as the date of Chatham's establishment as a Royal Naval Dockyard. He knows some have passed away but apart from his mate, Trevor Woodhouse, he is having difficulty in tracing some of them. A Dockyard Apprentice's Story: Hard graft, scrapes and japes on the The group has met regularly over the years celebrating their time at Chatham together. John said: "The dockyard gave you a good life. They may still be with the rest of the modern Defence archives at Swadlincote. Poor Law union indexes and papers (1836-1920) . How the military presence developed after 1820, showing how the need for housing gave birth to New Brompton, and showing roads and railways. [37] (In the event, the barracks were reprieved and repurposed rather than being closed at this stage. [20], At the same time, moves were being made towards the application of steam power to ship propulsion. [21] Building works at Chatham did not compare with the substantial expansions underway at Portsmouth and Plymouth at this time; but the southern part of the yard was significantly redeveloped, with construction of two new storehouses on Anchor Wharf and a major reconfiguration of the ropery. In spite of this in June 1981, it was announced to Parliament that the dockyard would be run down and closed in 1984. The yard would have received, stored and issued cannons and gun-carriages (along with projectiles, accoutrements and also all manner of small arms) for ships based in the Medway, as well as for local artillery emplacements and for army use. [20], No 1 Basin was officially opened in 1871, with HMS Invincible being brought into No 5 Dock for repairs, with great ceremony. Australian Field Artillery who died 14/04/1917 GREVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY France ' Similar but smaller blocks to the north and south housed ancillary services, such as the pay office, infirmary and Quartermaster's stores. Elgar Curling, who was 16 at the time, said: We all still get on a like house on fire. He says the dockyard here was a lot more relaxed than in Chatham. [137], The Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham were established in 1779, on a site nestled between the Gun Wharf to the west, the Dockyard to the north, and Infantry Barracks to the east. [140] Built within the defensive earthworks to the north of Chatham, St Mary's Barracks was demolished in the 1960s and the land used for housing. Constructed from timber recycled from warships probably from the. 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. It was 50 years ago these former Chatham Dockyard apprentices met for the first time. [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. 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. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of it and the amount of hustle and bustle that was all about. 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. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry who died 20/04/1915 YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL Belgium ' var dailyinfo= new Array(31) Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. dailyinfo[1]=' 61365 Private James LAVIN 1st Garrison Bn. For England this will usually mean one ofthe following six Royal Navy dockyards (the years in brackets are opening and closing dates): For details of more Royal Navy dockyards, both in the UK and overseas, see the Appendix. The annual intake was usually restricted to ten applicants and we were required to attend the Dockyard School for three years and pay a weekly visit to the Royal Navy Barracks gym and swimming pool for training sessions by naval personnel.Our apprenticeship covered many departments including the Boat House, Mast House, Drawing Office, Joiners Shop, Paint Shop, Plumbing, Ship Repairs (rivetting, caulking etc. NOSTALGIA: The mysterious case of the disappearing Portsmouth Guildhall, When Purbrook had three pubs within 100 yards - Nostalgia. London Regiment who died 08/05/1915 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL Belgium ' [10], From the very start of the 18th century, however, Chatham began to be superseded in both size and importance, first by Portsmouth, then Plymouth, when the main naval enemy became France, and the Western approaches the chief theatre of operations. Two years later the project was largely complete, with facilities provided alongside for gun mounting and mast rigging, as well as a victualling depot and a coaling area. [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). Charles Dickens (18121870), who had grown up in Chatham, returned in later life and described in 1861 the novel sight (and sounds) of a ship being built for the first time of iron (rather than wood): Twelve hundred men are working at her now; twelve hundred men working on stages over her sides, over her bows, over her sterns, under her keel, between her decks, down in her hold, within her and without, crawling and creeping into the finest curves of her lines wherever it is possible for men to twist. Among the earliest for Chatham was Upnor Castle, built in 1567, on the opposite side of the River Medway. The Commissioners were:[89]. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. R Cock and N A M Rodger, A guide to the naval records in The National Archives of the UK (London 2006). Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard, Discover some of the amazing objects found at the Dockyard. We worked together from 7am to 4.30pm and earned 2, 13 shillings and two pence a week.". Tank Corps who died 28/04/1918 MARISSEL FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY France ' His last job was working on the Royal Navy submarine HMS Dreadnought. He stated that in his experience 7025 was the best HL he served on. It's easy! down the phone. Do you know of any detailed records of casualties passing through Chatham RNH. There was an Army hospital at Chatham too. He very often told us grandchildren about the work and circumstances during the WW2. (Hill House would serve as the dockyard's Pay Office for the next 180 years; the Royal Marine Barracks were later built on its site). He was a shipwright apprentice at Flathouse Apprentice Training Centre with about 30 others. For a young lad it was always very impressive. It also has been Grade I listed since August 1999. In almost all cases you can only search by yard or ships name, not by a persons names. Combined Ship Trade Office 1880: now the "Ship & Trades" public house. n There was a great reaction to my picture here of some of the old Radio Victory presenters. There were two routes to entry. Read the catalogue details for BT 19 to find related correspondence from various departments of the Board. Along the southern edge of No 1 Basin four new dry docks were built (Nos 58), each 420ft (130m) long. During their time together, he and his colleagues gelled and enjoyed years of "tomfoolery" and were sometimes reprimanded by trainers for their pranks. dailyinfo[4]=' 13/927 Trooper James Werner MAGNUSSON Albert Medal Auckland Mounted Rifles, N.Z.E.F. )[119], A plan of 1704 shows (from north to south) a long Storehouse parallel to the river, the Storekeeper's house (the Storekeeper was the senior officer of the Yard) and a pair of Carriage Stores. dailyinfo[31]=' 15229 Lance Corporal Ernest Charles EVANS 11th Bn. There was space for some 500 horses and 1,000 men. In 1758, there were 43 pairs of. Each has an 18th-century, Main gatehouse 1722, designed by the master shipwright in the style of. dailyinfo[11]=' Reservist Paul GROLIK 5./I.R.62 German Army who died 11/05/1917 EBBLINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY France ' Chatham Dockyard (Apprentices) - Hansard - UK Parliament The oldest surviving barracks in the Chatham area is in Upnor; dating from 1718, it housed the detachment of 64 men responsible for guarding the gunpowder store in Upnor Castle. Buy from bookshop. 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. Terry left a secondary school in Hoo with qualifications in metal work and technical drawing and, like many boys of his age, enrolled for apprenticeship at the yard, classed as one of the best in the world. [10], The renowned Tudor shipwright Mathew Baker was appointed to Chatham in 1572 (though he was primarily based at Deptford). It was completed in 1903. The southern building, Store House No 3, completed in 1785, is subdivided with timber lattice partitions as a "lay apart store", a store for equipment from vessels under repair. It is, Commissioner's Garden dating from 1640. The senior officer was now a serving sea officer the superintendent, admiral or captain-superintendent who was often also the port admiral, or flag officer. In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and all yards and establishments, except gun wharves, were amalgamated under a single authority. [122] A few later buildings have survived: a long brick shed of 1805, southwest of the Command House, which once housed carpenters, wheelwrights and other workers as well as stores of various kinds,[123] the adjacent building (machine shop, late-19th century) which now serves as a public library, and the building known as the White House (built as the Clerk of the Cheque's residence in 1816). Apprentices of Chatham Dockyard - Particularly 1956 to 1961. ", Keith added: "I liked all our antics, [in the dockyard] you had to have a sense of humour.". 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. 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. Has it changed for the better, or were those really the "good old days"? - See 2,652 traveller reviews, 1,691 candid photos, and great deals for Chatham, UK, at Tripadvisor. //-->, By He was Petty Officer Evan Thomas Ellis MZ205. Another member of the group, Brian Booker, 76, moved to Plymouth from Chatham in the South East and joined the dockyard in 1984, working there for six years before taking early retirement to care for his wife. [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. If you have memories of Chatham in the Dockyard's heyday then tell us your stories. Fred Cordier has worked in the ropery at Chatham Dockyards for over 40 years. Brian said: "Chatham was more strict, you'd have to do your tie up and you couldn't roll up your sleeves.". // Stop Define Variables for days of the month If you can help Terry, email your details to njordan@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 01634 227800. 1756 Chatham Lines built, to designs by Captain John Desmaretz (who also designed the Portsmouth fortifications). Under his supervision the site was developed to include sawpits, workshops, storehouses and a wharf with a treadmill crane (completed in 1580). Some Great War periods covered in these newly-transcribed records: https://thedockyard.co.uk/the-collections/ledgers/. We collect and preserve objects related to the Dockyards past and also carry out specific research into the Dockyards rich and varied history. Royal Engineers who died 17/04/1916 ARRAS MEMORIAL France ' [33], Nevertheless, Light cruisers and other smaller vessels continued to be built at Chatham during the first half of the 20th century. The military hospital at Chatham at Fort Pitt. [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. In the event, those defences were built in distinct phases, as the government saw the increasing threat of invasion:[126]. Extended in connection with preparations for HMS, No 1 Machine Shop 1861. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence Co Live Sunrise Narendra 1, Purnima Niwas, 3rd Main Rd, Doddanekundi, Doddanekkundi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037, India. In its early days, dockyards such as Chatham were the largest industrial centres in the world. [131], During the Napoleonic Wars large numbers of troops were concentrated at Chatham Lines to counter the threat of a French invasion. He said: "We built up a comradeship, we were virtually living together. The storehouse would have furnished ships with such necessary consumables as rope, pulleys, sailcloth and timber. [1] The painting, now in the National Maritime Museum, provides a detailed illustration of the yard as it was in the Age of Sail; many of the buildings and structures illustrated survive: William Camden (15511623) described Chatham dockyard as, stored for the finest fleet the sun ever beheld, and ready at a minutes warning, built lately by our most gracious sovereign Elizabeth at great expense for the security of her subjects and the terror of her enemies, with a fort on the shore for its defence.[2]. Twelve hundred hammerers, measurers, caulkers, armourers, forgers, smiths, shipwrights; twelve hundred dingers, clashers, dongers, rattlers, clinkers, bangers, bangers, bangers![4]. [20] Holl's smithery was itself enlarged with the addition of a foundry in the 1850s, and its courtyard was roofed over for a steam hammer shop in 1865. My son got good qualifications and worked in Formula 1 racing. 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. Diners evacuated from busy Plymouth restaurant and bar, The venue thanked customers for their patience, Plymouth Argyle Home Park attendance figures this season second highest in 60 years, Steven Schumacher has paid tribute to the fans after the Pilgrims won 20 of their 23 League One games at the Theatre of Greens, Seven changes Plymouth Argyle and their fans will notice in the Championship, Steven Schumacher's Pilgrims have booked a place in the second tier of English football for the first time since 2010, Heartbroken family pay tribute to man killed outside Cornwall nightclub, Police have been allowed more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of murder. This aerial photograph shows the dry docks at Chatham Dockyard. He spent two years learning basic skills before going on "float" learning his trade of welding, machine fitting and repairs on board ships based in the basins and dry docks. [29], A significant disadvantage for Chatham was that fitting out had always taken place on the river. When the first Labour budget in eighteen . Starts from. My Grandad had already retired by the time the Dockyard was due to close, but I remember me, my mum and dad going down to Devenport to see the Dockyard there as my dad was thinking of relocating us down there. I was on board HMS Hermoine when she left the yard for the last time, I was one of the guests of honour, a great experience for a young lad of 15. " The following year a forge was built for anchor-making. Honourable Artillery Company who died 29/04/1917 ARRAS MEMORIAL France ' CHDT Researchers - Apprentices We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. dailyinfo[21]=' Lieutenant Colonel John Michell CLARKE Royal Army Medical Corps who died 21/04/1918 BRISTOL (CANFORD) CEMETERY United Kingdom ' Recommended Posts. Thanks seaJane. 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.. For the first two years of his apprenticeship, he moved through the different ships, Brian recalled, and in his third year the skipper taught him, he said. The following terms appear in the records of pay: Click on the links below to search for a yard name, for example Woolwich, within the following series: Try searching by name or, otherwise, keyword in the various Navy Board records held inADM 106(1650-1837). Three times a year hundreds of youngsters left school at 15 to start life as apprentices, many in the 'yard. The attached document lists all Apprentices connected to the towns of Chatham and Rochester, the majority worked in the Chatham Dockyard between 1710 and 1811. 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). The victualling yards, however, continued to be practically independent. It made do with a single shipbuilding slip for much of the 17th century (a second slip, dating from the same period, had fallen out of use; it was replaced in the 1730s). The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of apprentices that entered Chatham Dockyard in each of the years 1974 to 1977; and what is the projected number for 1978 (a) as craft entries and (b) as technician entries. [20], Dockyards have always required shore defences. [27], To meet the new demands of building in iron, metal mills were built alongside the smithery in 1845, containing rolling machinery and furnaces for reprocessing iron. Thirteen of them spent the weekend together in Medway travelling from all over the country, including as far away as Scotland. I clearly remember visiting Chatham Navy Dockyard during the 1970s as a boy. Though I have been on visits it's just not the same!" Last used in 1981. If either yourself, a friend or relative has a story they would like to share with us, we would love to hear it. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, 3. He has two sons Samuel, 35, and Lloyd, 39, who went into engineering. 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. The Dockyard apprenticeships were some of the best in the UK. [30] Work on the other docks and basins followed, with No 3 Basin finally being completed in 1883. Chatham, The dates shown represent the tax paid by the Masters for their Apprentices. In the interwar years, eight S-class submarines as well as X1 were built at Chatham but this was a period of decline. It was envisaged that Basin No 1 would serve as a "repair basin", No 2 as the "factory basin" and No 3 as the "fitting-out" basin; a newly launched ship could therefore enter via the west lock, have any defects remedied in the first basin, have her steam engines and heavy machinery installed in the second, and then be finished, and loaded with coal and provisions, in the third before leaving via the east locks. Some or all of the recommended publications below may be available to buy from The National Archives Bookshop. Remembered Today: It normally took place approx 4 . Initially, soldiers were housed under canvas or else billetted in houses and inns, but from the 18th century barracks began to be constructed. [31] In 1897 a naval barracks was built on the site of the prison to provide crew accommodation for ships anchored in The Nore; for the next sixty years it served as the headquarters of Nore Command, whose Commander-in-Chief was accommodated in the adjacent Admiralty House. dailyinfo[18]=' J/71444 Ordinary Seaman John Dolby DIAPER H.M.S. And if you had any personal issues there was always somebody there to support you. Pembroke Royal Navy who died 18/04/1918 GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY, KENT United Kingdom ' Although the yard focused mainly on refitting and repairs, some shipbuilding continued to take place. They spent much of the time relaying fond memories of working and socialising together. [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). There were 75 bays erected at Chatham Dockyard, to hold three years worth of timber. Most significantly, Chatham's first dry dock was opened in 1581 (for repairing naval galleys). v3.0, Coopers and Labourers, 1797-1816, yard unknown, Caulkers, Coopers and Ropemakers, 1798-1831, Registers of protections from being pressed, 1794-1815, Civil Establishment of Admiralty and Navy Board (including yard officers), 1694-1832, clerk of cheque and storekeeper responsible for finance and administration, master shipwright responsible for building and repairs, master attendants and boatswain supervised yard craft and boats in ordinary (on reserve), master ropemaker responsible for the ropeyard, the agent victualler (in larger establishments only), Plymouth from 1824 known as Devonport Dockyard (1690-present), Pembroke Dockyard at Pembroke (1815-1947), Jamaica Dockyard also known as Port Royal (c.1675-1905), Kingston Dockyard on Lake Ontario, Canada (1788-1853), Penang Island part of modern day Malaysia also known as Prince of Wales Island (1800s), Port Mahon Dockyard on Minorca (1708-1802). 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. who died 04/05/1917 AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL MEMORIAL New Zealand ' [127] Externally, all the blocks were similar in appearance. dailyinfo[19]=' Second Lieutenant Robert Charles Middleton HARPER General List who died 19/04/1917 JERUSALEM MEMORIAL Israel and Palestine (including Gaza) ' As far as I can find, no Naval hospital muster lists (ADM 102) survive at TNA Kew for the 1914-1919 period. The Black Yarn House to store the tarred yarn. dailyinfo[12]=' Brigadier General Henry Buchanan KIRK Four times Mentioned in Despatches Cdg. Chatham Historic Dockyard | Historic England Following the success of such early trials with screw propulsion, several older sailing ships were taken into dry dock and retro-fitted with propellers, beginning with HMS Horatio. Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. dailyinfo[16]=' 56932 Serjeant William Philip WATSON Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal 58th Field Amb Royal Army Medical Corps who died 16/04/1918 TYNE COT MEMORIAL Belgium '