var mydate=new Date() Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. It was a very sad day for me when the Dockyard closed but I still have many fond memories of my time spent as a Dockyard Matey. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping Royal Air Force who died 22/04/1919 PENTON MEWSEY (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD United Kingdom ' 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. 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. dailyinfo[9]=' 3094 Rifleman James William NEWELL 2nd Bn. 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). It includes Papersafe UK[43] and Nordic Recycling Ltd.[44] In 2013 Peel Ports, which owns and runs Chatham Docks, announced that it was set to convert a 26-acre (0.11km2) portion of the commercial port into a mixed-use development (incorporating offices, an education facility, apartments, town houses and a food store (Asda), as well as landscaped public areas). who died 02/05/1915 BABY 700 CEMETERY, ANZAC Turkey (including Gallipoli) ' that I have asked my family to see that my ashes are scattered on the Medway besides the Dockyard,using a trip on the Paddlesteamer-"Kingswear Castle" to carry out this task. Lower Boat House circa 1820 built as a storehouse for squared timber, and later to store ship's boats. "The Dockyard holds lots of memories for me.. From projects focused on . The ropery. Not long afterwards a large new single-storey Carriage Store, with a long frontage parallel to the river, was constructed, adjoining the Storekeeper's House to the south. 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. [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. Published 12th Mar 2018, 19:00 BST - 2 min read. CSC 10 for marks and results of examinations of dockyard and artificer apprentices from 1876; Board of Trade papers (1846-1895) Find references to apprenticeships in the indexes to papers . ", Keith added: "I liked all our antics, [in the dockyard] you had to have a sense of humour.". Do you remember Chatham Naval Dockyard when it was in its prime? I was going to leave that bit about Trafalgar out, but their Town Mayor, whose English was better than my French, picked it up and told them anyway. Last used in 1981. This building retains it original structure and roof glazing. As far as I can find, no Naval hospital muster lists (ADM 102) survive at TNA Kew for the 1914-1919 period. The boys tell of their daily roles: clocking people in and out, checking employees were working, checking pay, doing the 'holiday rounds', and recording various bits of information. On March 31, 1984, Chatham Dockyard closed its doors forever, ending 414 years of history. He was Petty Officer Evan Thomas Ellis MZ205. The principal records and how to search for them, A guide to the naval records in The National Archives of the UK, Friends of The National ). This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Visit Veterans UK to find out how to request a summary of a service record. [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. [35] During World War I, twelve submarines were built here, but when hostilities ceased, uncompleted boats were scrapped and five years passed before a further ship was launched. London Regiment who died 08/05/1915 PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL Belgium ' Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Coordinates: 512350N 003140E / 51.39722N 0.52778E / 51.39722; 0.52778 Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional . [17], By this time the establishment, including the gun wharf, stretched one mile (1.6km) in length, and included an area of in excess of 95 acres (380,000m2). If you have a specific enquiry relating to an object in our collections and cannot find the information you need online, please contact collections@chdt.org.uk. A Dockyard Apprentice's Story: Hard graft, scrapes and japes on the It is, Commissioner's Garden dating from 1640. Went to Navy Days, both as a toddler with my parents and later as 8-10 yr old with school friends. [127] The Infantry Barracks went on to serve as a home depot for numerous regiments. Another member of the group, John Gibson, 79 from Southway, joined the dockyard as an apprentice in September 1955. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. He was admitted to Chatham Hospital on 30th June 1915 but doesnt specify RNH. This was a somewhat unusual . He has two sons Samuel, 35, and Lloyd, 39, who went into engineering. Poland, 5 September 1950 May 1951, Rear-Admiral John Y. Thompson: October 1958 February 1961, Rear-Admiral I.William T. Beloe: February 1961 December 1963, Rear-Admiral George M.K. 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).. NOSTALGIA: The mysterious case of the disappearing Portsmouth Guildhall, When Purbrook had three pubs within 100 yards - Nostalgia. Timber Seasoning Sheds 1774. He said: The training was excellent. In the event, those defences were built in distinct phases, as the government saw the increasing threat of invasion:[126]. At around the same time a large house was leased (the Hill House) for administrative purposes including meetings of the Council of Marine Causes. It really did feel like one big family with a happy atmosphere. [120], After the demise of the Board of Ordnance (1855), Ordnance Yards passed under the control of the War Office, and were eventually (in 1891) apportioned to either the Army or the Navy. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? (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). The dockyard, always pulled together and pulled out all the stops to get things done, especially for the navy. Hoo resident Terry Hoard is looking for Chatham Dockyard friends from the 1960s. [45] In 2019 Peel announced that Chatham Docks would close in 2025 with the loss of 800 jobs. Both my Grandad and my Dad worked there. Camaraderie and companionship was important to all Dockyard employees, the boys say. [138], A barracks was built in Brompton from 1804 to 1806 for the Royal Artillery gunners serving on the defensive Lines (previously they had been accommodated in the Infantry Barracks). Another, Mike North, got in touch and sent me his cartoon of the staff who were there when the station closed. St Marys Island was just waste land, marsh, nothing, now look at it, he said. Starts from. [10], The renowned Tudor shipwright Mathew Baker was appointed to Chatham in 1572 (though he was primarily based at Deptford). We, as a family, would travel up from East Kent to attend the dockyard when they had a 'Navy Days' event. Most significantly, Chatham's first dry dock was opened in 1581 (for repairing naval galleys). [20], No 1 Basin was officially opened in 1871, with HMS Invincible being brought into No 5 Dock for repairs, with great ceremony. )[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. The first was by exam and accounted for about 125 apprentices and what was called the . During their time together, he and his colleagues gelled and enjoyed years of "tomfoolery" and were sometimes reprimanded by trainers for their pranks. The 1964 intake of Dockyard apprentices who built the old woman's shoe, of nursery rhyme fame, for Southsea Carnival. Chatham Dockyard workers reunion | Greetings to all the Chatham The Grade II listed Park and Garden is getting a makeover to showcase some of its existing heritage features as well as reinstate some of the paving patterns that were part of its original design. They spent much of the time relaying fond memories of working and socialising together. [25], In 1811, Marc Brunel recommended the installation of steam-powered sawmills in the royal dockyards, to replace the manual labour of the saw pits. 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. The father-of-three, who lives with wife Jenny in Hoo, went into the building trade and kept in contact with a couple of the group. 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. [20], View down the length of the former No 7 Dock towards No 1 Basin (now Chatham Marina), Remains of No 8 Machine Shop with No 1 Boiler Shop behind it, Dock pumping station (its 80ft chimney, formerly on the plinth to the right, has been removed), The Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard held a seat and a vote on the Navy Board in London. What's for dinner? "Ted was living in the Maidstone area at the time and I know he joined the fire service after leaving the dockyard.". recruits destined for regiments which were abroad, prisoners confined on account of desertion and other military offences, added to which was a proportion of invalids, sent home from foreign stations on account of old age, or bodily infirmity'. Documents are usually arranged by yard, so for most searches it is vital to know the name of the yard where the person worked. No 4, 5 and 6 Slips 1848. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence Has it changed for the better, or were those really the "good old days"? How to look for records of Royal Naval dockyard staff Three decades after the last tradesmen laid down their tools, three ex-workers tell their story. Any pointers would be much appreciated. The group formed in 1990 as a six-monthly reunion for a group of nineteen Dockyard recorders who had retired and wanted to catch up with each other and share their stories, but some of the group only joined 18 months ago. Chatham Dockyard workers reunion | Greetings to all the Chatham Dockyard Apprentices that began their long journeys 65 years ago on the 10th September 1956 and are . who died 04/05/1917 AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL MEMORIAL New Zealand ' The group would welcome any recorder from the Dockyard who would like to join the group. 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 . Mr Gray, who lives in Portsmouth, remarked on the differences which have taken place at the dockyard over the decades. Their website gives further information about the type of records they hold and how to search them. He said: "It would mean the world to me to have another reunion. In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and all yards and establishments, except gun wharves, were amalgamated under a single authority. I was going to leave that bit about Trafalgar out, but their Town Mayor, whose English was better than my French, picked it up and told them anyway.Wed Apr 8 12:02:25 2009, Ron EdwardsI am 82 years of age and was a Naval Shipwright Apprentice (Dockyard number 21413) in Chatham Dockyard from 1941 until 1945. Initially, soldiers were housed under canvas or else billetted in houses and inns, but from the 18th century barracks began to be constructed. Plymouth Gladiators open their Championship campaign this evening when they welcome Scunthorpe Scorpions to the Coliseum. I later worked on such ships as HMS Lincoln, Warspite, Spitfire, Torquay, Hebe, Vidal, Hydra and many many more. 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]. Junior Apprentices The Dockyard School between the Wars Apprentices in Wartime Introduction of Group Training of Apprentices Whitworth . Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! MDL Apprentice Training School, Certificate Distribution of ''Supervisory Development Program'' for Graduate/Diploma Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 - 16.03.2023 . The fire-fighting displays were actually good education for us, as were all the displays of engineering, diving and damage control.Later I went in a group of school cadets to see the launch of the submarine HMS Onslaught, built at Chatham.Whilst a member of the Kent Police Force, I acted as an interpreter for a party of visiting French police officers and their wives and we were shown through the rope-making loft where HMS Victory's ropes had been made. 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. After completion of the new dock in 1821, reconstruction of the other docks in stone followed (with the exception of the northernmost, which was converted into a slipway); they were likewise emptied using steam power, provided by the same engine and pumps (which were also linked to a network of pipes installed across the whole dockyard site for firefighting purposes). Prices may vary with room occupancy and attributes. They were the good old days,but,it is still a wonderful place to go and visit, I go often. [20], By the late 17th century a number of prestigious new buildings were erected (including the officers' residences, the clocktower storehouse and the main gatehouse), several of which are still in place. It normally took place approx 4 . [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. Read the catalogue details for BT 19 to find related correspondence from various departments of the Board. Additional flight to evacuate Britons from Sudan today, Tributes paid to singer Gordon Lightfoot following death, Marks &Spencer to close stores in May - full list of closures, HMV to reopen original flagship store after four year closure, Mller recall Cadbury desserts because of Listeria contamination, Nurses strike continues: Major disruption for NHS services in England. I just remember some of those old guys that actually lived in the dockyard." Do you visit the Dockyard now? 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. The building functioned as a "present use store" except for the upper floor, which was a, Sail and Colour Loft 1723. The Dock would be filled with all types of Naval ships, decked out with flags & crew dressed in their dress uniforms. A lot of the group chose early retirement when the opportunity arose in the 90s and were looked-after with a salary, allowance and pension, they say. The first submarine to be built at a royal dockyard was HMSC17, launched from the covered No 7 Slip in 1908 and then fitted out in No 2 Dock; five more of the same class followed, C18, C19, C20, C33 and C34. The main 1930s barracks building is being retained, along with the remaining earlier structures. Additionally required were the blockmakers, caulkers, pitch-heaters, blacksmiths, joiners and carpenters, sail makers, riggers, and ropemakers (274), as well as bricklayers, labourers and others. Now, around ten 'old boys' meet every six weeks in the Union Street Wetherspoon to laugh about the old times. [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.