View Full Version : Fleet Review: 1953 Coronation
Angus MacSporran
05-08-2009, 17:21
Were you there?
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=84609
Batstiger
05-08-2009, 17:44
Nice one Angus, I was there as a young lad of 16.
Bob.
I was still a lad at school, but a decade later served as QM onboard the reviewing ship, HMS SURPRISE.
Yes, I watched from Southsea sea front and my boy-friend took me on one of the local boats doing tours of the fleet - and it poured with rain most of the time so he didn't get many piccies!!!
I also remember, from an earlier review when I was very young (!) a certain Naval officer who told us over the 'wireless' (not radio in those days)
"The Fleet'sh lit up!"
Edna
Dave Hutson
27-08-2009, 16:54
Edna,
If you go to Navy Days - look in the Models Ships Exhibition, it is normally in the sheds on South Slip Jetty in front of the Signal Tower.
There is a guy who goes around the country with his Fleet Review miniature layout of every ship that was there.
He covers the 1937 [I think that's right] 1953 and the 1970 something reviews and really knows his stuff.
Dave H
That film was brilliant,it made me feel very sad. I was in the far east then in Unicorn, there were many ships out there too.
designeraccd
05-09-2009, 14:05
GR8 pc. of HISTORY on film!! Thanks for posting! DFO :D:D
Excellent Video! The fleet that was.
Regards
Charles
Makes the 2005 Trafalgar Review a bit sad!!!!!!
Jackaroo
20-09-2009, 03:58
Makes the 2005 Trafalgar Review a bit sad!!!!!!
Interesting 1953 Coronation Fleet Review...but then the RN was a bigger then.;)
I remember the fleet review on the Clyde in 1966 or was 1967?
2005 Trafalgar review was ok...anyone still got the dvd?...someone else liked my copy better:eek:...need to get a new one.
Cheers
Jack :cool:
Batstiger
20-09-2009, 10:40
This brings back some memories!
I was a Boy/seaman on the Largo Bay at the time though I can't remember much of it owing to the fact that the old grey matter ain't what it used to be.
Of the other ships that I was associated with that are on the layout are the Termagant, which I joined in '54, the Battleaxe in '55 and the Apollo in '57.
The Tiger, which I joined in '58 was still up in Gareloch still awaiting a decision from the Amiralty as whether to scrap her or modify her.
Of the weapon class destroyers I see that the Broadsword is missing and of the minelayers the Ariadne.
Reserve fleet perhaps?
Thank you for the posting, I lost my plan years ago.
Regards,Bob.
jbryce1437
20-09-2009, 18:23
The 1937 Fleet Review was of a similar size. There was more ships in one line than there is in the whole fleet today;)
barracuda
20-09-2009, 19:55
My brother was on the Implacable at the 1953 Fleet Review. I think she was his first ship. Unfortunately he died at young age in 1981. I joined this super website to help in tracking his service in the RN and it's been quite helpful in a number of ways. I'm posting three pictures of his of the Fleet Review. I don't know whether these and other photos I have were taken by him or not. I hope they are of interest.
Peter Thomas
Thanks for the pictures Peter.
I'm afraid that I missed out on the '53 Review. Seeing that I was only 2 and my mum wouldn't let me join for another 13 years!
Batstiger
20-09-2009, 21:18
Great pictures Peter.
Tell me, if your brother had only just joined the Implacable and it was his first ship, had he just left training?
The reason I ask is that a lot of Ganges lads did their first three months sea training on her and some of my class at Ganges went on her and would have joined her in '53.
Regards, Bob.
barracuda
21-09-2009, 21:08
Hi Bob. Sorry not to have replied sooner. I don't know if my brother trained at Ganges. He joined at seventeen as a signalman (?) and trained at HMS Mercury, but I don't know where he trained before that, if anywhere. I just assumed Implacable was his first ship and didn't know it was used for sea training. He was about 12 years older than me and so I was just a nipper then.
I'm slowly putting together his career in the Navy, but after he died my Mum had his papers, photos etc, but when she died some of his records were lost. I've rattled on enough now. Thank you very much for your interest.
Regards
Peter Thomas
Barracuda..............looking at your posted pics, the one of HMS SURPRISE got me thinking. From personal experience (I was QM on that ship 1962-63), with the Quarterdeck awning rigged, weight of Admirals quarters aft, in any sort of breeze, she was a B"£stard to steer, and anything under 9 knots hardly answered helm at all.
In your picture, I'd say she is barely doing 9 knots, and whilst I would imagine Special Sea Dutymen are closed up, I bet the Cox'n on the helm has got a sweat on........not to mention the Skipper! :eek:
Btw............like qprdave, I missed that review, I was 11 years old at the time!
barracuda
21-09-2009, 21:41
Hi, Scurs. It's nice when someone can put a little story from personal experience to what would otherwise be just a ship's photograph. Surprise doesn't seem to be going very fast in the Pathe News film of the Fleet Review. I'll put a link to the film, but maybe you've seen it. Didn't the Queen have the Royal Yacht Britannia then?
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=84609
Think I've done the link right. It's a super film (very nostalgic). I've got photos of some of the ships here.
Peter Thomas
Thanks for the link Peter.
That was when we had a Navy to be proud of
astraltrader
21-09-2009, 22:23
We already had a thread on the 1953 Coronation Fleet Review so I have combined the two.
My fault, Terry. I didn't look before leapt!!!!!
I only posted the diagram as a one off. I should have know that it would run.
I should have known that the old fogies errrrm, sorry upstanding gentlemen and Ivor in this forum wouldn't let it go at that.
If I said "Boo" tonight in a new thread. By tomorrow night there would be 50 posts about "Boo in the good old days"!!!!!!!
Barracuda......The Royal Yacht was not launched until April 1953, and first commissioned January 1954, so was incomplete at time of Coronation Review.
"SURPRISE" was originally named "LOCH CARRON", but changed to "GERRANS BAY" before completed in 1944. In 1945, was converted to "Despatch Vessel" (CinC's "run about") and renamed "SURPRISE".
With the extra accommodation built aft, designed for use by Commander-in-Chief (Mediterrainean), it didn't need much alteration to become a temporary Royal Yacht.
As built, she was designed for top speed of 19.5 knots, but with the extra weight down aft, 16 knots possibly top wack.
By the time I was in her, June 1962 she was an old ship, and I recal once, the Chief Stoker phoning the bridge and requesting a reduction in speed as the main bearings were overheating........think we were doing about 12.5 knots at the time!!, and as I say below 9 knots and she steered like a drunken cow! The ship was eventually scrapped 1965.
The Pathe News film was excellent and brought all the memories back. Yes, I was there on my first ship 'Forth' depot ship which had returned from Msida Creek, Malta to spend a couple of weeks off Sheerness where I joined her and then steamed to Spithead. My first job on board was to set up the fireworks frames and interconnecting wiring for the fireworks display on the evening of the Review. At Spithead, Forth anchored some way out and the liberty boat, a Portsmouth MFV, took 3 hours single journey ship to shore. Can't remember how many ships it called at but there were plenty. The Review day was cold, wet and windy and we had to line the guardrails (can't remember the correct expression) for 5 hours just to 'cheer ship' for 2 minutes as the Queen went by. An added bonus was 2 signal guns positioned above and behind us firing a salute. A memorable but uncomfortable day. Rob T
Sheila1946
07-04-2010, 20:59
The Pathe News film was excellent and brought all the memories back. Yes, I was there on my first ship 'Forth' depot ship which had returned from Msida Creek, Malta to spend a couple of weeks off Sheerness where I joined her and then steamed to Spithead. My first job on board was to set up the fireworks frames and interconnecting wiring for the fireworks display on the evening of the Review. At Spithead, Forth anchored some way out and the liberty boat, a Portsmouth MFV, took 3 hours single journey ship to shore. Can't remember how many ships it called at but there were plenty. The Review day was cold, wet and windy and we had to line the guardrails (can't remember the correct expression) for 5 hours just to 'cheer ship' for 2 minutes as the Queen went by. An added bonus was 2 signal guns positioned above and behind us firing a salute. A memorable but uncomfortable day. Rob T
Aarrgh! my dad was on The Redpole and an MFV boat took me and my mum out to the ship and hauled us up the side somehow! I was 7, my brother was 2 and me mum was pregnant and hanging over the side of the MFV the whole way. I will never forget that trip.:eek:
chris westwood
08-04-2010, 08:13
Thanks for the link Peter.
That was when we had a Navy to be proud of
I was four at the time and vaguely remember seeing it on the TV news, and later in a copy of the illustrated london news.
It was a stirring sight, but most of the ships in the review were obsolescent(wasn't there a amonitor present?) and would disappear withing the next five years.
with respect. I think we have a navy to be proud of. The Royal navy does a fantastic job. My neighbour's neice is in the RN on active service and medals for gallantry have been awarded to RN personnel: something to be extremely proud of
Sheila1946
08-04-2010, 09:02
Hi, Scurs. It's nice when someone can put a little story from personal experience to what would otherwise be just a ship's photograph. Surprise doesn't seem to be going very fast in the Pathe News film of the Fleet Review. I'll put a link to the film, but maybe you've seen it. Didn't the Queen have the Royal Yacht Britannia then?
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=84609
Think I've done the link right. It's a super film (very nostalgic). I've got photos of some of the ships here.
Peter Thomas
What a lovely sight watching that film - and The Redpole was mentioned that my dad was on. Yes we did have a Navy to be proud of, and we DID have a dockyard to be proud of then.:(
barracuda
20-04-2010, 23:08
As an aside, I recently found, at an antique fair, an almost mint copy of the official souvenir programme of the 1953 Coronation Fleet Review. It's full of interesting information about the ships that took part and the Navy in general. I paid just £3.50 - money well spent.
neil6814
22-04-2010, 15:18
Barracuda.
I have just been reading through this thread and noticed that you said that your brother was a Signalman on the Implacable and that it was his first ship. At that time the Implacable and Indefatigable were the Home Fleet Training Squadron, training Seamen adult entries. Implacable also trained adult entry Signalmen. This could explain why he was on Implacable.
I joined the Navy aged 17 at Victoria Barracks, Southsea as a Seaman and after 3 weeks I joined Indefatigable. I then transfered to the Signal branch and was drafted to Implacable for Signal training. I later changed back to Seaman and finish my Seaman's training on Implacable.
By the time of the Review I had finish training and was on the Romola.
Hope this helps.
Neil
barracuda
22-04-2010, 21:41
Hi, Neil. Thanks for the information. But I'm still a bit confused about his early days in the Navy and his training. Bob asked was he at Ganges and I said I didn't know. But on seeing your post I went a sorted through his few effects again and found a Ganges cap ribbon which I didn't know was there. So I've looked through the photos on the Ganges Museum website for 1953 and can't find him there. I'm fairly sure he joined when 17 which would be 1953. Now, if he was 17 and an adult entry, is it possible he went to Ganges initially and then to Implacable to train? I always thought that as a signalman he trained at HMS Mercury which I understand was the signals school. I have a photo of him when on the Implacable and his badge is two crossed flags.
No one in the family has his Navy records so I suppose the sensible thing to do is to send for a copy - I suppose they'll let me have a copy.
Thanks once again for the information.
Peter
Gypsyvannergirl
22-04-2010, 21:59
OMG
I must be tired from studying.
I honest to God thought this thread read '1953 Coronation Street Review'
I'm going back to bed.
GVG
neil6814
23-04-2010, 05:06
Peter.
If he joined at 17, I doubt very much that he would have trained at Ganges. At that time Ganges was definetely for boys 15 and 16 years old. He may have gone to Ganges later as Ship's company.
Also at that time the Navy was split into 3 depots so if he was at Mercury, then he was probably a Portsmouth rating and would have a P at the beginning of his official number.
I don't know how you can get hold of his records, but I'm sure that there is somewhere on this site which will point you in the right direction.
Neil.
barracuda
26-04-2010, 19:30
Thank you for your reply and clarifying things, Neil.
Regards.
Peter
Sidney Smith
08-11-2011, 12:08
I am developing an idea for a programme about the 1953 coronation fleet review to be made by IWC Media.
Do you remember the event, or know someone who does? Please contact me on 0141 353 8411 or via email at alex.leithead@iwcmedia.co.uk.
I am interested in speaking to anyone with a memory - whether a former serviceman, civilian who watched from the shore, or maybe even a schoolchild who was at school at the time and learnt about the review.
Many thanks,
Alex
I have posted elsewhere, my then boyfriend (who worked in the 'yard and got a free pass for one of the fleet tours) was a keen photographer and took me to help hold equipment while he snapped! It was a very long and very wet (it rained and blew all day) tour but he took masses of pictures, which he developed at the Portsmouth Community Centre in Twyford Avenue. I don't know what happened to them all, and he is now dead so that is no help to you. It might be worth contacting the Portsmouth News, there are probably still people in Portsmouth with pictures and/or information about the review.
Edna
Addition: I believe the Butchers did a lot of tours in their family firm boats and I think they are still operating from the Camber, Old Portsmouth; they may have some historic pictures. E
Dreadnought
08-11-2011, 17:31
Alex,
Merged your thread with an existing one about this topic, just to keep everything all together, and to avoid duplication. I will leave your other thread of the same title in the modelling section for now
Cheers
It would have been great to be in the 53 Review, my recollection of the Coronation was hearing it from loud speakers , sitting on the grass, outside the Cathedral in Singapore.
Andy Waugh
09-11-2011, 06:16
I have bound copies of the Illustrated London News from May 1951 to March 1961 - an ex colleague managed to save the volume as the school librarian was heading for the bins to make more shelf space!
One particular edition covers the fleet review in some detail including a double page 'map'. I only wish I had the facilities to share with fellow members of the forum!
D01Caprice
20-11-2011, 14:36
This brings back some memories!
I was a Boy/seaman on the Largo Bay at the time though I can't remember much of it owing to the fact that the old grey matter ain't what it used to be.
Of the other ships that I was associated with that are on the layout are the Termagant, which I joined in '54, the Battleaxe in '55 and the Apollo in '57.
The Tiger, which I joined in '58 was still up in Gareloch still awaiting a decision from the Amiralty as whether to scrap her or modify her.
Of the weapon class destroyers I see that the Broadsword is missing and of the minelayers the Ariadne.
Reserve fleet perhaps?
Thank you for the posting, I lost my plan years ago.
Regards,Bob.
How come you were in LARGO BAY while ex classmates from GANGES were in IMPLACABLE? The routine for ST. VINCENT in those days was the the AC classes (you are the future C.P.O's and P.O's of the Service) went to one of the 2 Bay class based at Rosyth and the GC classes (you are the future 3 badge A.B's of the Service) went to INDEFATIGABLE/INDOMITABLE/IMPLACABLE. After 15 months together I was glad to see the back of many of my classmates as I was the only one to be allocated to Chatham depot, praise be.
Batstiger
20-11-2011, 15:38
How come you were in LARGO BAY while ex classmates from GANGES were in IMPLACABLE? The routine for ST. VINCENT in those days was the the AC classes (you are the future C.P.O's and P.O's of the Service) went to one of the 2 Bay class based at Rosyth and the GC classes (you are the future 3 badge A.B's of the Service) went to INDEFATIGABLE/INDOMITABLE/IMPLACABLE. After 15 months together I was glad to see the back of many of my classmates as I was the only one to be allocated to Chatham depot, praise be.
I can assure you that I was there, here are some of my 75 year old classmates.
Regards,
Bob.
I have just discovered a Pathé News coverage of the review; try -
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=84609
Edna
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