HMS Ganges 60 Year Reunion.

[Batstiger]

I hope our members don't mind but I have asked Terry if he will make this thread a sticky till the 6th May 2012 to which he has kindly agreed.

The picture posted below is of the passing out of HMS Ganges: 187/188 classes 27 mess Anson Division.

We are all now around 75 years of age and joined the Annexe of HMS Ganges on the 6th May 1952 and I was hoping that some of the survivors of this merry band of men could possibly get in touch with me for old times sake and to celebrate what would be our 60 years Reunion.

In the past I have had emails from a handful of them but the rest seem to have faded into oblivion over the years.

If anyone recognises themselves or knows the whereabouts of anybody in the photograph would they please get in touch with me either by PM, or by leaving a message in this thread.

Although this photograph was taken nearly 60 years ago here are some of the names that I am still able to remember. My humble apologies to all those who I have forgotten.

Back row from left to right:-

Moran. -?-. -?-. Watson. Parker. Hurst. -?-. -?-. -?-. Seaman.

Gallier. Hunt. Pope. Oakley. Bond. Jaquemine. (Instructor PO Griffiths) -?-. -?-. -?-. -?-. Smith. Gibson.

Williams. Ramsden. Brown. -?-. -?-. Galley. Laverick. -?-. Nickosky. Wilton. Hanley.

Platt. -?- Mercer. Bisset. Walker. Clarke. -?-. -?- .-?-.




Thanking you all in anticipation.

Bob Hanley.

.

[astraltrader]

I wish you the very best of luck in the tracking down of your old "class-mates", Bob.

[Dave Hutson]

Good luck Uncle Bob on locating the lads of 52. We were ships that passed in the night cos you were probably passing out when I joined [Mar 53]. Wonder if someone will be tracking next year. Do you remember when we joined and saw someone with three badges, he was ancient, and here we are many badges later looking back with nostalgia, pride, envy and wishing we could do it all over again, in spades. Happy Days so I hope your luck is in.

Dave H

[Destroyerman]

You may have a job on your hands with that one Bob.

Certainly a pretty good looking bunch compared to the usual crop!

I note that there are 13 "call boys" in the group (the ones with bosuns call chains instead of lanyards).

Being a stoker, I wasn't a "call boy" ........... more of a slapper.

Good luck in your quest mate.

Sandy. (No9 Recruitment 1957).

[Scurs]

Agreed good luck Bob! I am "lucky"?, the names are all written on the back of the class photo I have.

In my case, 7th January was my 55th Anniversary of joining GANGES..........reckon we have all been "3 badgemen" for many a long year now!
Wouldn't fancy being mast class these days, even if the mast WAS in good condition!

No.1 Recruitment 1957

[Dave Hutson]

Bi 'eck Bob ....... these last replies make us feel ancient. Never mind tho' cos if the reunions don't materialise we can at least look forward to free TV Licences.

Dave H

[Destroyerman]

Originally Posted by Dave Hutson

Bi 'eck Bob ....... these last replies make us feel ancient. Never mind tho' cos if the reunions don't materialise we can at least look forward to free TV Licences.

Dave H

David my old mucker, the classes of '57 have just a little benefit over youse old 'uns.

After the age of 70 degeneration sets in rather rapidly so we of the classes of '57 are on the safe side of the equation.

Gravity has not yet acted upon the flesh and the framework is still slender and lithe. (You've met me so you know I'm lying through my back teeth; false of course) The looks are still dashing and not crashing. Etc; etc.

Fifty five years ago I hated being a nozzer, but now I'm inclined to be thankful for it.


Respect man.

Sandy.

[Derek Dicker]

Afternoon All, seems to be quite a few of from the 57 recruitments, 7th May 57, Alan was also same day.


Birthday on Monday, off to the big smoke for a couple of days with my lady wife of nearly 50 years.


Derek (Bunts)

[Dave Hutson]

Originally Posted by Destroyerman

David my old mucker, the classes of '57 have just a little benefit over youse old 'uns.

After the age of 70 degeneration sets in rather rapidly so we of the classes of '57 are on the safe side of the equation.

Gravity has not yet acted upon the flesh and the framework is still slender and lithe. (You've met me so you know I'm lying through my back teeth; false of course) The looks are still dashing and not crashing. Etc; etc.

Fifty five years ago I hated being a nozzer, but now I'm inclined to be thankful for it.


Respect man.

Sandy.

Sandy,

You only forgot to mention that you have more flannel than a pusser's blanket.

Dave H

[alanandbren]

Originally Posted by Derek Dicker

Afternoon All, seems to be quite a few of from the 57 recruitments, 7th May 57, Alan was also same day.


Birthday on Monday, off to the big smoke for a couple of days with my lady wife of nearly 50 years.


Derek (Bunts)

Have a good one Derek,have a wet on me.

Alan

[Frankwaller]

Hi Bob,
good luck with your reunion.
We were there at the same time. I was Hawke 182 class.
Seems a long while ago.
Regards Frank

[LionelFeetham]

Hi there,

I joined up to these forums on Saturday. I think my Grandfather might be in the photo - His name is Lionel Feetham and he was at Ganges I think from 1952. He always talks about his time there and it would be lovely to find people who were there at the same time.

Tasha

[Batstiger]

Originally Posted by LionelFeetham

Hi there,

I joined up to these forums on Saturday. I think my Grandfather might be in the photo - His name is Lionel Feetham and he was at Ganges I think from 1952. He always talks about his time there and it would be lovely to find people who were there at the same time.

Tasha

The name doesn't ring a bell Tasha. Perhaps you could point him out and I can either confirm it or not.

Regards, Bob.

[Polycell]

Not ever going to Ganges or even St Vincent but a direct entry to Collingwood in 1960 I am not privy to the ways of a 'Ganges boy' so can someone tell me how one become a 'call boy' allowing to where a chain and bosuns pipe instead of a landyard.

[Batstiger]

So much for Naval comradeship!! Out of forty two young lads with their whole lives in front of them not one person, repeat not one could bother to get in touch. I despair, I really do.
Anyway thanks to all who read this post and for those who went to Ganges I hope you have better luck when trying to organise a reunion.

Bob Hanley.

[Dave Hutson]

Originally Posted by Batstiger

So much for Naval comradeship!! Out of forty two young lads with their whole lives in front of them not one person, repeat not one could bother to get in touch. I despair, I really do.
Anyway thanks to all who read this post and for those who went to Ganges I hope you have better luck when trying to organise a reunion.

Bob Hanley.

Could it be you are the only one still breathing Uncle Bob - but I know what you mean - my 60th Anniversary of 17 March 1953 next year.

Still hope you get a response if only from one.

Dave H

[ceylon220]

Don`t worry Bob,after 20 odd years service in the RN I have only come across 3 old shipmates since leaving the service,even at reunions I have never met anyone who was on the ship when I was but have made great mates at these reunions since and I`m now 76 (don`t tell anyone)---not many left!!!!! By the way I went to RALEIGH where all good Stokers came from-------even blew the tin whistle at colours once at COCHRANE (Donibristle)---not bad for a Stoker!!!!!

[ap1]

Dave,

Did you ever manage to secure a photo of the Donibristle site (Cochrane)?

[ceylon220]

Originally Posted by ap1

Dave,

Did you ever manage to secure a photo of the Donibristle site (Cochrane)?

No Andy,they are as scarce as hens teeth, the main gate was on the main road,the camp was the old wooden huts, this I believe was just a temporary camp--the old RNAS Donibristle, no info on the web about it,I believe it is now an industrial estate, if you come up against a photo let me know,the only ones of COCHRANE were the ones ofthe new base built at the Rosyth dockyard now even that has gone.

Dave

[Alan13]

Hi reunion ganges people.
I joined in the May 7th 1957 as a bunting tosser like dereck and david. Sorri lads cannot place you but the mess was in rodney division and our yeoman I am pretty sure was Murphy.

[alanandbren]

Originally Posted by Alan13

Hi reunion ganges people.
I joined in the May 7th 1957 as a bunting tosser like dereck and david. Sorri lads cannot place you but the mess was in rodney division and our yeoman I am pretty sure was Murphy.

Also on the same day,Benbow div along with Derek,

Alan