View Full Version : A Hello from Hookie
Hi everyone,
Just to say nice to meet you all.
Joined the mob in 1954, six months after leaving school. Hated the Hell-hole called Ganges. If I didn't think I'd get locked up, I'd take some RDX down to Shotley and if that mast is still there.... Well you get the idea.. (I don't know if a club-swinger really did try a handstand on top of the mast, subsequently falling through the Post Office roof, but that's how the story goes.)
Having vented my spleen on Ganges, I must admit was proud to serve in a Royal Navy that I remember as being 'BIG'. I got plenty of sea-time, but sadly all around the UK and the Med. The Far-flung was never granted me. My favourite ships were the Ton Class sweepers, and until I was daft enough to 'become a 'Weapons Class 1', I caught up with two of them, Ashton (1959-61) and Glasserton for a brief spell in 1962. Being a Weapons Class 1, meant I was always catching up Depot Ships!
My first ship was HMS Ulysses, (F17) on the Malta Station in 1955. Happy days those were too.
Now I am retired and living a life of luxury (Compared with Ganges that is), and enjoying every minute I can get.
So hello again to everyone, and it's good to see you.
I hope take a decent part in the Forum.
All the best
Hookie AKA Brum, Clint or John.
(Why Clint? Nothing to do with Dirty Harry, but 'Cheyenne' was big in the sixties!) :D
John Brown
11-02-2008, 15:13
Hookie
Welcome to the forum. I hope you get a great deal out of it.
Clint was also big as 'Posie' in 'The Dirty Dozen'
Regards....John
cissystar650
11-02-2008, 15:17
Hiya Hookie and a big welcome from one of the forums 'dizzy dames' :D
Thank you John and Cissystar..
That's true about the 'Dirty Dozen', of course, but some time after Cheyenne!
John
:)
cissystar650
11-02-2008, 15:34
I saw 'Hookie' and thought you came from the same place as me! Shows what I know DOH!!:confused:
herakles
11-02-2008, 19:16
Welcome to the forum Hookie.
You certainly qualify as an old salt.
I guess you now spend your retirement making ships in glass bottles! LOL :D
I'm sure you'll find plenty here to interest you. And in the near future I'm sure you'll start contributing your own threads.
Batstiger
11-02-2008, 19:19
Hi Hookie, that looks like the name you are going to be stuck with! welcome to the forum.
Come on, Ganges wasn't that bad. I joined in 1952 and survived , as did hundreds more. Once you were brainwashed it was quite good really but we all longed for the day of the first draft.
I was out in the Med in '55 on HMS Battleaxe so I'm pretty sure we would have been down the Gut at sometime together!
Don't forget to have plenty of old photo's handy to post!
You will have to open the throttle a bit to catch the lads from Oz up but have a bash.
That's me, the bit of skin on the right.
Bob.
How old were there, Bob?
And welcome, Hookie, from the pet Septic of the site.
Batstiger
11-02-2008, 21:09
Just coming up to 16.
Bob.
The Sailor
11-02-2008, 23:14
Hello, Bob's still dragging out the pin ups of himself.
Hookie reminds me of the greatest movie ever made, "Zulu".
Hookie, John, with the modern internet I think it is wonderful that such a medium as this forum exists for you. I think that there could be nothing better than having articles, photos and ship mates at a keystroke in your retirement.
Enjoy the forum old sailor. It was made for you.
Ah... You must mean Private Henry Hook V.C., (played by James Booth). Hook was was a bit of a 'skate', so the history books tell us, his heroics were prompted mainly by selfish motives. he wanted to get out, but they were in his way!
'Zulu' was a darn good war movie, little artistic licence was taken (If you disregard Michael Caine's occasional over-acting.) and Rourke's drift is my favourite 'land battle' of them all. Thanks for reminding me!
In my case Hookie was my nick in the Andrew; because of my Family name, of course. I wanted to use Hooky, but that was already taken! :p
And as for the internet... I make my 'beer money' from it! Well, sometimes the horses win, but you can't have everything! On the whole, my regret is that it didn't come along earlier.
Cheers Shipmate
John :)
And welcome, Hookie, from the pet Septic of the site.
Thanks Bob, Jeff,
Nothing wrong with an honest bit of septic-ism! It knocked me about a bit sometimes, but I'm still here. :D
John
herakles
12-02-2008, 08:36
Good onya John. I follow that.
I must however say that despite me also thoroughly enjoying the film Rorke's Drift, it is frightfully wrong. It was he 92nd anniversary of the battle about a week ago.
And I won't hear a word spoken against Michael Caine!!
Hi Hookie, that looks like the name you are going to be stuck with! welcome to the forum.
Come on, Ganges wasn't that bad. I joined in 1952 and survived , as did hundreds more. Once you were brainwashed it was quite good really but we all longed for the day of the first draft.
I was out in the Med in '55 on HMS Battleaxe so I'm pretty sure we would have been down the Gut at sometime together!
Don't forget to have plenty of old photo's handy to post!
You will have to open the throttle a bit to catch the lads from Oz up but have a bash.
That's me, the bit of skin on the right.
Bob.
Well Bob, I suppose I survived too, but maybe they didn't brainwash me? I 'dunno! Anyhow, I won't get all serious about that. It's water under the keel now, innit? ;)
As for the 'gut'... I was a good young sailor. I never went near the place!
I have few faults, but one I do have is a tendency to fib at times! :D,
I was invited aboard the Battleaxe as it happens, but I rather suspected the guy's motives... I must have been a 'bit of skin' myself then? Har! Say no more.. So yes, I do recall Battleaxe being in Malta. In 'Slimy' Creek if I am correct.
I will look out the photos, but at the moment I have a loft-conversion well under-weigh. Costa Bomb, but it will be my caboosh when it's done. Thanks Shipmate!
Hookie
Good onya John. I follow that.
I must however say that despite me also thoroughly enjoying the film Rorke's Drift, it is frightfully wrong. It was he 92nd anniversary of the battle about a week ago.
And I won't hear a word spoken against Michael Caine!!
Now, not a lot of people know that. :)
Seriously, I share your enthusiasm for M.C, but you must admit, the accent he used was also "freight-fully" wrong! :) Michael does the upper-crust so much better these days.
I suppose some details were altered, but the film was a drama more than an historical account. That's one reason I researched it a little. I was so intrigued. Not that I retain too much these days! I trust we won't have to wait until the Centenary before it is shown on TV again? ;) Beats 'Eastenders' mind...
Cheers
Hookie.
I must find out if we can get notification of replies to posts!
I saw 'Hookie' and thought you came from the same place as me! Shows what I know DOH!!:confused:
Well Cissystar,
Hookie does ring a bell with me, regarding place names down your way, but I can't recall where it is. No matter.. It had something to do with the 'Dunkirk Little Ships Assn.' I think.
Cheers
Hookie :)
Good onya John. I follow that.
I must however say that despite me also thoroughly enjoying the film Rorke's Drift, it is frightfully wrong. It was he 92nd anniversary of the battle about a week ago.
And I won't hear a word spoken against Michael Caine!!
Not a lot of people know that ...... !
herakles
12-02-2008, 09:10
Now, not a lot of people know that. :)
Seriously, I share your enthusiasm for M.C, but you must admit, the accent he used was also "freight-fully" wrong! :) Michael does the upper-crust so much better these days.
I suppose some details were altered, but the film was a drama more than an historical account. That's one reason I researched it a little. I was so intrigued. Not that I retain too much these days! I trust we won't have to wait until the Centenary before it is shown on TV again? ;) Beats 'Eastenders' mind...
Cheers
Hookie.
Yet MC wasn't born that way. Perhaps he's just acting!
There was a very good session on the Daily Telegraph blog site about Rorke's Drift very recently. Opened my eyes a lot.
Hi Hookie
Welcome from another "dizzy dame"....
Should one of your nick names be Rowdy (Yates) as that was Clint's character in Rawhide ... Not Cheyenne.
I will let you off the the "hook" this time but don't mess with me as I know films and tv... ok "punk" !!!!
That would be a good idea for a new thread, top ten favourite films, tv series etc.
Viv
;)
Hi Viv,
The nick 'Clint' was picked up aboard HMS Ashton. It was a reference to Clint Walker, the actor who played the lead in 'Cheyenne'. It wasn't that I looked like him I assure you. I was just tall and we shared the Family name. As I said, nowt to do with Clint Eastwood.
The Hookie comes from my family name too, as you will know it's the usual Naval nick for 'Walkers', although I was a Killick for a time!
Regards
Hookie..:)
PS I love that painting. Turner being one of my 'dead heroes'. Although he lives on through works like that. (I can't spell Temerrare' )
Touche Hookie ...... I must learn to read posts properly !!:mad:
Viv
Yet MC wasn't born that way. Perhaps he's just acting!
There was a very good session on the Daily Telegraph blog site about Rorke's Drift very recently. Opened my eyes a lot.
Yes, Sir Maurice Micklewhite was just acting.. I meant that the accent he adopted for the film didn't sound right. Today, he is much better at things like that!
Quote from an Interview:
MC: It's worse if they do a tribute. They start with the first movie, like Zulu, and they wind up with Educating Rita. Your whole face collapses and your stomach comes out gradually. It's a terrifying experience, but everybody thinks it's a compliment. Unquote
I know how he feels when I see old pics of myself!
I will check out that Telegraph item too . Thanks my friend.
Hookie
Touche Hookie ...... I must learn to read posts properly !!:mad:
Viv
That's okay Viv. We all do it! I think I spelled Rourke's Drift incorrectly!
And the only fencing I do is in the garden! :D
Actually, I have to pay someone else these days... :)
Regards
Hookie.
Hi Hookie. Yet another 'old salt' here. 1953-54 HMS Forth submarine depot ship resting on all the rubbish in Msida Creek, Malta. 1955-56 HMS Calton, ton class based at Harwich day running with the odd weekend away, the coldest winter I've ever experienced. 1957-58 HMS Lagos Battleclass destroyer in Med. Fleet, 1960-63 HMS Diamond, Daring Class in Med. Fleet. Both the last 2 ships spent time rolling around Iceland during Fishing War1 and Fishing War2. Not much sun or light, for that matter, around Iceland in the winter. Enjoy the loft when it's ready. jonti
Hi Jonti.
You weren't a real 'Jauntie' were you? :D
Seems you be a bit ahead of me though.
I had two sub-depot ships 'Maidstone' in 1962 up in Faslane. (A wedding present, from m'lords.'!:() and the 'Ausonia' in Malta. Their Lordships allowed my wife to go with me for that one!
'Ausonia' wasn't in Sliema Creek that I recall. It was in the small creek behind 'Whitehall Mansions', berthed at Manoel Island. (Tasbech?) The other Depot ship I recall was the 'Ranpura' which was alongside the TDO Jetty in Msida, during 1960. I was in HMS Ashton then the 108th. MSS.
I almost caught up with the 'Forth' in Guzz. it was my last draft, but the Admirality had forgotten I was due for 'demob'.. So I just had time for my fortnight in 'Victory' instead!
Happy Days!
:)
Nice to meet you Jonti and thanks for the 'heads-up'.
:cool:
romft1945
14-02-2008, 09:13
Hi the Hookie one were you a killick? I joined St Vincent thought it was great here is one of us learning to sail,
ROM
Me iam at the back just in front of the sail
Hi romft,
Yes I was a Killick and I was demobbed, just as my B13 came through for promotion to PO. I wanted to become a T.A.S.I., but in all honesty, I had promised my wife, that when I finished my time, I wouldn't sign on again. So eventually, I joined the Police after 12 months swanning from job to job!
Now I am happy I did what I did, as I have a nice pension! Not fabulous, but nice.
Didn't we all look 'skin' in those days...Even at Ganges! Isn't it strange how such photographs could have been taken at anytime. There are lads there that look just like boys I served with and even one who looks like I did! (The lad with his arm on the gunwhale, to the right of the Instructor.)
I served with St. Vincent lads in HMS Ulysses in 1955 in Malta. Only John (Beri-Beri) Burden's name sticks though!
Cheers romft (mine rolled on!)
Hope you enjoy this forum and we'll speak again I'm sure.
John :)
Hi Hookie. I can throw yet another depot ship on the barbie, HMS Mull of Galloway, the depot ship based at Harwich for the Ton Class squadron. I had forgotten all about the Ranpura, never a real classy ship. jonti
tonclass
16-02-2008, 07:02
Just noticed you gents on this thread have mentioned your service on 'MINESWEEPERS' !!!!! Calton & Ashton to be precise. Would you have any photo's/dits etc from your times aboard ?
Rgds
Rik
Just noticed you gents on this thread have mentioned your service on 'MINESWEEPERS' !!!!! Calton & Ashton to be precise. Would you have any photo's/dits etc from your times aboard ?
Rgds
Rik
Hi Rick,
Did I mention I was a TON Class member? Well, I am of course.
I do have one pic from the seamens' mess on Ashton, Christmas Day 1959! My first full day aboard.
It was a culture shock. Rum... one and one, instead of two and one (neaters if you were PO's messman.)
The buffer kept finches and canaries, which he crossed to produce 'avian mules'! The top bunk port side aft was his bunk, and he slept in a hammock so he could enclose his bunk with cages. Buffs left to go back home soon after I arrived. (I had that effect on some people!)
We won the Christmas Cake for best decorated mess. I fixed up a battery and bulbs, to make an illuminated 'Farver Crissmuss, in a shoe box!). Took me most of Christmas Eve, when I should have been doing my 'joining routine'. The 'Swain thought it was more important to decorate the mess though!
We had a ship's dog called Eccles, so named by Tom Bethel, the WT man who came from Eccles. Sadly, Tom 'Crossed the Bar' some years ago I believe.
Poor old Able-Dog Eccles was chased into the road in Sliema by an Alsatian dog, and got hit by a car. He had a proper seagoing funeral of course.
I think we were 'Chummy ships' with Crofton. Well I got on well with the lads aboard that boat anyhow! The 'Buffer of the Stubbington, a Janner as I recall, was a bit of a character, who always called the ship 'St. Ubbington.'
There's lots more I don't have space for right now Rik. But there's time I hope!
Regards
Hookie. :)
Hi Hookie. I can throw yet another depot ship on the barbie, HMS Mull of Galloway, the depot ship based at Harwich for the Ton Class squadron. I had forgotten all about the Ranpura, never a real classy ship. jonti
The Ranpura... No not classy, but I always slipped aboard for a meal when I got the chance. The food was good for the times. The Ashton's food was fine, but there was so much more variety on the 'Ranps'... As long as you had 'ton' on your cap tally, you got a plateful.
Happy Daze. :)
Hookie.
tonclass
16-02-2008, 07:43
Nice one Hookie. Look forward to hearing some more.
Rik
vBulletin® v3.6.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.