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HMS Chevron World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Chevron

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Hello everyone, i`ve just joined and am still fairly new to this forum stuff.I served on the chevron from 1953 to 1955 out in Malta and was a ordinary seaman,my action station was the starboard bofor gun by the bridge.I would love to hear from anyone who may have served on her :)

Welcome aboard Ray. You must have some photos of her?? Can't see you on the gun in this pic of her;)
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Thanks for the pic jbryce, someone else was taking my shift in that pic ;) i do have a few pics and will dig them out, i just got to work out how to post them, i`ll have to use my sons photobucket account and take photos of the photos.

here are some pics,sorry they are a bit fuzzy and tatty but they are over 50 years old. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadhmschevron4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadhmschevron3.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadhmschevron1.jpg[/IMG] This is me age 15 when i joined up. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dad1.jpg[/IMG]

I will post some more later, sorry they are so big but like i said i`m still new to this and it takes me a while to type anything, i am 70 after all :-)

Looks like a lovely set of photographs. If you have a scanner, they would be better scanned than photographed using a camera, which tends to get the focus wrong and the flash creates reflections. With a scanner, you can increase the size and alter the lightness, etc., in a photo editor. If you do manage to scan them, try to scan them to around 1200 pixels wide and use the descreen facility if you have it as an option. Any idea what happened to her in this photo. Jim
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Hi Jim, this is Rays son Phil, dad doesn`t get on too well with the computer so i hope you don`t mind that i will be replying on his behalf, he`ll just be dictating lol. I don`t have a scanner but i may know someone that does, as for the damage to the Chevron, dad doesn`t know anything about that and says it may have been after he left the navy however, he does recall a collision with an aircraft carrier when they were doing a night exercise in the Med and had all the lights out,an aircraft carrier (HMS Centuar) clipped them on the starboard side, nearly turning the ship over.The stern lookout by the stern 4.5 gun just had time to ring the bridge and then proceeded to faint with fright.The captain got the chippy to go and look for any damage below decks, after the chippy reported that everthing seemed ok we all carried on with the exersize (typical navy).In the morning we could inspect the damage.Starting from the stern starboard side the guard rails were flatend, going forward from there the motor boat on the davits was a complete wreck.Starboard side bofor gun by the bridge was crushed and the director was twisted round, also the radio ariels were hanging down from the mast and the bridge windows were broken. a navy program from when dad passed the royal yacht. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadnavyprogram.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadnavyprogram1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadnavyprogram2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/dadnavyprogram3.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks for the reply Phil, and looking forward to see the results of the scan. Sounds as if the Chippy on Chevron wanted to get back down the mess quickly, if he couldn't spot all of that damage on his recce:D Had a bit surf around to try and establish how the damage to Chevron was caused, with no luck. But I did come across this site with some information [URL="http://brisray.com/dad/chevron1.htm"]http://brisray.com/dad/chevron1.htm[/URL]

Jim, Re CHEVRON's bent bow. During a night exercise with the rest of the flotilla with all ships blacked out steaming line abreast at speed, a signal was sent ordering all ships to turn 90% to starboard which would have resulted in a line astern formation, CHEVRON had a faulty R/T set and did not recieve the signal Keeping straight on in the darkness the inevitable result was a collision.COMET got in the way and thus resulted in the damage to CHEVRON's bow.COMET was rammed on her starboard side in the area of No2 boiler room .Both ships were towed back to Malta . Hope this helps mate Regards Dave

What year are we talking about when this collision occurred? Bob.

Thanks for the info on the collision Dave;)

Thanks for that info Jim, we found it very intresting with some great photos. And thank you Dave for clearing up that mystery :-)

here are the newly scanned pics. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo01_0.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo03_2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo06_5.jpg[/IMG] Refuelling [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo05_4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo07_6.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo08_7.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo10_9.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo13_12.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo14_13.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo17_16.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo18_17.jpg[/IMG] Dad aged 15 [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo15_14.jpg[/IMG] dad 3rd from right with Italian sailors. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo16_15.jpg[/IMG] dad in middle of pic, back row. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo19_18.jpg[/IMG] Dad in whites. [IMG]http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x45/66COOP/Photo04_3.jpg[/IMG]

Good pics, I've cleaned them up a bit for you. Had I got the originals I could have made a better job of them. I'm 71 now so must have joined up at the same time although I was a Ganges lad. Bob.
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Likewise, I'd happily have a go at cleaning the badly damaged port side view of her if a LARGE copy were available. Rik

Lovely set of photographs. The welder at work should be in the National Archives as it is classic shot of Dockyard Mateys at work - two working and four (could be five) watching:)

Thanks guys, and thankyou Bob, Dad`s very impressed with what you`ve done with them. Oh and Jim, i think what the welders are doing in that pic is pretty much standard practice even today :D Phil.

My name is John Callus and I am Maltese, when I was 15 years old, I got a job as a NAAFI canteen assistant and I served on HMS Chevron between 1952 and the early months of 1954. My profile for those months that I was on the Chevron are listed on Bisray HMS Chevron page 2. I would be very interested if any one who remembers me wants to make contact, I used to be billeted in the boys mess. Looking forward to hearing from any of my shipmates.

Welcome John! It's nice having a member living in Malta. I hope your old mates are able to make contact.

My Dad was aboard the Chevron during the early 50s but I havnt got the exact dates. His name was Dave Fallon, but I believe his mates called him Jim. He was a Lancashire lad born in Manchester, so he probably had quite a broard "Manc" accent at the time. He was a clearance diver. Other ships that I know he served on were HMS Crossbow,HMS Chequers and I believe he also spent some time on HMS Reclaim.

Welcome to the forum Bigbaldbob, it would be great to see some of your fathers photographs if you have access to them. Cheers, Bob.

Indeed welcome to the forum BBB!!

I Joined Chevron in January '53 and returned to UK in November '53, my first taste of the 'real navy' after four years artificer's training. Hi there all I remember John Callas well, we were in the same mess - the boy's mess - until we transferred to Ricasoli for a refit period, in August I believe. I was a killick and would normally have been in a PO's mess as a sprog artificer, but they were all topped up when I got there! The killick of the mess was 'Bagsy' Baker. The Ordnance crew consisted of COA 'Wiggy' Bennet, OA 'Buster' Brown, Phil Gregory, national service OA and myself, 'Florrie' Ford. There were two OA's mates, AB 'Lofty' Wyatt plus one other. We were at Port Said for the Coronation ( a sojourn that earned us a General Service medal 50 years later!) and the ships company were photographed before we left for a ceremonial parade at one of the RAF bases in the vicinty. Perhaps some ex crew members will recognise themselves. I have lots of reminiscences from Chevron which could fill many postings!
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Wahey! My dad is in the Chevron crew photo above. As usual hes not looking at the camera, and seems to be laughing and messing around with somebody. Thanks so much for posting this, I will scan in all the Chevron photos he has as soon as I get them off my mum. Cheers Bob.

My Dad is in this photo, he is in the sunglasses (he had an eye infection) next to the gun barrel in the middle of the picture. Arthur Putt, he was a Chief E/A and retired in 1960, unfortunately he passed away in 1965, if anyone remembers him please give me a shout. I have a similar photo; Hats on, and a picture from Tony's bar, Dad is on the left.
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I thought that you ex-Chevron's might like this one Jan
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Any idea what year your Dad was at HMS St Vincent Ray? Super photos, thanks for posting them. Chalky White

Its nice to see that there are a couple faces being recognised in the crew photograph, I'm standing about two rows back behind a very dour looking Lieutenant seated behind the starboard capstan in the Caps On photograph. Just to clarify, I'm the young good looking one! I remember a lot of the faces, but putting names to them after 55 years is a different matter. I can manage those in my department, with one exception, and a couple of other names. One memory that does hold fast is that of an exercise being carried out in the Western Med. with the French and American fleets. A storm blew up and the other two national groups seem to have disappeared over the horizon leaving us out there. It was the only time I suffered seasickness in 25 years and when we eventually got onto the upper deck again the seaboats had gone along with other metal lockerss normally welded in place and the ship was in a general shambles, but we did get a few days in Gib as a result so it couldn't have been all bad! Florrie

I Have found a full copy (16 pages) of the "Programme of Her Majesty's Naval Escorts in the Mediterranean". Would anyone like me to upload all the images? Mark

I will be interested in seeing your photos Mark - make them big Jim

Ditto to Jims reply, Mark.

Uploading seems a bit hit and miss at the moment, please find attached pages 1-5 there is NO page 2 it was blank For some reason the front cover wouldn't upload. I will upload the rest in a few more btaches. Best regards Mark
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Part 2 of the upload
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Part 3 of the upload
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Front Cover of the Programme, uploads complete. I was having ISP issues, and file size problems too. rgds Mark
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Many thanks for posting the programme, Mark. Its little wonder that they decided to pay off the Royal Yacht if she needed that number of ships to escort her. That would be the whole fleet these days:D

Hi All, I am very Interested in any iformation about any navy persons who served on the Chevron 1940-1950 as my father was a gunner on the ship . His name was Arthur Marston from the East End who is now in his 80's, I wonder if there are any war vetrans who also served on this battle ship. Thank you..:)

[QUOTE=o/s Ray;961]Hello everyone, i`ve just joined and am still fairly new to this forum stuff.I served on the chevron from 1953 to 1955 out in Malta and was a ordinary seaman,my action station was the starboard bofor gun by the bridge.I would love to hear from anyone who may have served on her :)[/QUOTE] Hi Ray, I too have just joined so compared to you I am still a nozzer. Our paths may have crossed on the Chevron - I joined her in 1955 and left her after Suez. I was a Sparker who resided down in the for'ard snakepit Comms Mess which we shared with the QM's and Bosun Mates. A good commission all round and it is a pity the Navy doesn't still have a few CH's around, even if they did leak like sieves.

[QUOTE=Jan Steer;25856]I thought that you ex-Chevron's might like this one Jan[/QUOTE] Good one Jan. That prompts a memory. Every time she turned at speed we in the Comms and QM's Mess [Snakepit for'ard] cringed because the Port Scuttles leaked and our lockers were filled with 'oggin. No dockyard ever got a grip on the warping damage done by the weather. Dave

Good evening you Chevrons from Capt. D's right hand sparker in Chequers. I thought you might like the attached info? I will try and start a C Class thread aimed at giving common info for all those who served in probably what were the last true destroyers. May I just add that when we were enroute for Abadan and Basra we went down the canal exceeding the speed limit as mentioned elsewhere. Your mention of the oggin coming in jolted ye olde grey matter. We were in the canal for dinner (the 1200 one) and had the windscoops out. P.M. were all on the upper deck sightseeing. Consequently whilst passing thru the Bitter Lakes etc. when the wind increased and the wash/spray got up quite a lot of oggin came inboard. A bit of mopping was required before tea (1800 one).
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Mousey we already have a thread that was started on the C-Class destroyers. So please feel free to add anything you like to it. I enclose the link to it below... [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217&highlight=DESTROYERS[/URL]

Ok Terry just found your message you referred to in the Chevron thread. Will await your advice re my last four attachments. Sorry to be a pain but thats what Nozzers cause. Mousey.

I joined Chevron in september 1951 transfered from HMS Liverpool with Hooky Bagsy Baker and A/B Porter later P/O Porter and Lofty Wyatt became an oppo of mine. The ships scribbler was also in the mess we joined 1 Mess as was the ships butcher and Hooky Wagget also little Terry a ships boxer. I am in the fourth row from front, extreme right in the crew photo. The dour Lt. that Florrie refers to is Lt. Sugden the ships navigator who is alongside Jimmy the finest officer anyone could wish to serve under. Next to Jimmy is Commander Yorke, just a few years ago I made contact with Mrs Gleadowe Jimmy's wife who told me that after leaving Chevron her husband was rated up to Commander and went to the Admitalty. He later returned to the Med. as C in C's staff but was accidently killed in a water skying accident in 1959. Commander Yorke was taken ill and retired from the navy but died shortly after. I remember loads of faces from the photo but like the years the names have faded away. Lots of the officers changed about that time and I remember some young RNVR officres joining. Another officer I do recognise was Lt.Guard who had recently relieved Lt Saville the ships Guns. The photo brings back many happy memories, Chevron was easily my happiest ship. Some years ago I posted lots of photos on Brisrays site if anyone would like to see them I will oblige. Can anyone tell me how I can get a copy printed off the crew photo, the thumbnaili is too small and will not blow up and the other one is too large. I look forward to hearing from some of you because it is only by talking that we learn what we have forgotten, how many of you remember the ship losing a frogman at Port said, E/M Darkie Gaish a very fine figure of a man.

Yes - we would like to see you pictures. When you say you wish to make copies of the crew pictures - which ones do you mean?

[B][I][COLOR="Plum"]Sorry to be a pain but thats what Nozzers cause[/COLOR][/I][/B]. [B][I][COLOR="Plum"]Mousey [/COLOR][/I][/B]Nozzer ... whats all this Mousey!! you have gold braid now?????;):p:D

Hi Recruit ..... Let's have a name. Nice to see Chevron resurrected again but I think we may be on the wrong thread --- Terry will correct us. I was Chevron late '55 thru Suez - she was a good one. Dave H

One of my favourite class of ship along with the Ca and Battle-class. Here's one of the best photo's of Chevron you'll find.......can't remember if I've posted it before...certainly not on this thread anyhow. Regards Alan
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Sorry Alan posted a reply but it seems to have disappeared down the hawsehole [Hell I must have paid attention to seamanship at Ganges]. Nice shot of Chevron - altho' she is not showing her Pennant Numbers and Squadron Identification - I will bow to your knowledge. Back to my post on "Photos" - I will download this one and thankyou for posting it - she has a special place with me. Dave H

Hi astraltrader, the photos that I would like are the two of the full ships company which were taken at Port Said on Coronation Day 1953. The one is taken with "Caps On" and the other with "Caps Off". Nice to hear from you

[QUOTE=harry.gibbon;66165][B][I][COLOR="Plum"]Sorry to be a pain but thats what Nozzers cause[/COLOR][/I][/B]. [B][I][COLOR="Plum"]Mousey [/COLOR][/I][/B]Nozzer ... whats all this Mousey!! you have gold braid now?????;):p:D[/QUOTE] Tis all about an April posting Harry when I was and still am trying to learn the ropes. I'm a nozzer to the wardroom now. Good job I enjoy G & T's ! In case some Chevron's have not had a look at the Sliema Creek thread its worth the effort. 1st D.S. and all that. Cheers David.

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