The Doyle’s own view on Ganges.
For those who know very little or wish to know about myself and my family, more often than not, aided and abetted by Geoff Hill and/or many others, have delayed making any personal statements rather than, as the old saying goes 'act in haste - repent at leisure' an action not unknown in my case, one reason I am often taken to task by those who know me - they also are aware that in this life I am neither an orator - advocate - debater or actor just a good old work horse!
Or to others just an independent awkward old sod! Who works on the principle ‘Action speaks louder than words!’?
My lifetime skills have evolved elsewhere - should you need to work out the voltage drop on a long length of cable or the characteristics and/or starting current of a three phase squirrel cage motor I'm your kid or should you require a cooling fan replaced in your oven of an electric cooker just pick up the phone!
I know this is to be a long and possibly boring epistle but there again most things in life are - just read on:
For my sins throughout my life have always been and always will be, the willing work horse who takes on tasks others in the first place fight shy of - as was clearly shown in the early days of the Ganges Association (surprising how after these events become mostly a success, much advice comes in thick and fast especially from those who fought shy in the first instance and are now quite willing to show how it should have been attempted in the first place) both by the lack of progress with regard to the Mast and initially with reunions after our forced move from Shotley, of how to find suitable venues elsewhere. In fact in those far off days Eileen and I travelled many a long mile to view quite a few prospective reunion sites - as no one other than Robbie could 'spare the time!’ I was self employed therefore no work no pay - always at our own expense - with the Association at this time a bit strapped for cash, having no or little funds after the fiasco of the last 'proper' reunion at Shotley in May 1986, when a couple of thousand pounds went adrift from the monies due to Eurosports – at this time the Association came very close to being taken to court and sued for the outstanding monies to cover the final payment, to save embarrassment to the other members of the committee, who seemed to sit on their hands and look bewildered – this account was settled by guess who (you’ve guessed it Geoff and myself) paying the outstanding amount not recoverable in time from the, by then ex-treasurer, to prevent legal action! - Some £1,000.00 there or there about's. This money was eventually refunded to the ‘sloproom’ account after the sale of the ex-treasurers family home upon a divorce! With, no doubt also paying the legal costs as is the way of Law Firms.
The very final event at Shotley - 'Goodbye Ganges' - was a completely separate event from the May reunion of that year and was organised by Geoff Hill and myself in Oct 1986 even to the extent of writing all the envelopes by hand mostly by Eileen (no computers in those days) to send the booking forms out (she was made a Honorary Member around this time) she is always there in the back ground! – this, as with all other events I have been involved with, completely financially self supporting - this event was held just prior the demolition of the messdecks – and the arrival of the Museum scavenging party shortly before the arrival of the police cadets. The site was, by this time owned by the Potton Empire.
It was during this time, we, that is Eileen and I, often with Geoff Hill, travelled many mile to and from Shotley, not only to attend meetings with such as English Heritage and local Babergh Council Officials plus the owners of the Shotley site, initially Eurosports followed on sale of the site, with the above mentioned Potton Ltd between 1984 and 1988 to make certain that the Mast was refitted, even travelled to Bristol to view work in progress at Square Sail’s yard - this work was as you will remember completed in during 1988/9. We were present at both the striking and re-stepping of the Mast, for my sins appearing on both local TV stations, BBC & ITV, plus local radio followed by articles in the local papers, in addition my photograph appeared in the Daily Telegraph as page ‘two pin’ up, holding the button, culminating by an appearance on the famous Blue Peter programme with re-running of the earlier programme of John Noakes attempting to climb our ‘mast’ was re-shown! From this appearance some 1,000 letters were received and resultant joining forms were despatched!
Prior to this we had created the Slop Room (again at our own expense – having been informed by the then committee not to involve the main association in any way with our financial ventures), travelling to many venues with our stall, such as Navy Days at Portsmouth, Chatham and good old Guzz plus air days at Yeovilton, where we were often joined by other association members - standing at our stall - on many occasions out in the rain - on one occasion during a dreadful Navy Days (weather wise) weekend at Portsmouth - selling out of the back of my van (still retained to this day, mainly to transport the ‘sloproom’ now to reunions only) – in addition Eileen and her friends spending much their spare time during reunions 'manning' the Slop Room tables, plus, again Eileen running the postal slop room - now sadly greatly diminished with the link removed from the Ganges web page on what appears to be 'orders from on high' – who, himself now seemingly has fallen from grace!
With the 'slop room' now contracted out, one wonders where the profits from this venture are going, not to the museum is guaranteed! Who have to date profited by some £93,122.48 from our enterprise! Indeed over the years Eileen has spent much of her ‘spare’ time packing and posting packages to all corners of the world - originally raising the necessary funds to, as I said on local radio to 'put our money where our mouth was' - to encourage the owners of the Shotley site, first Eurosports, followed by Potten Ltd, to have the mast refitted and maintained - our efforts on this front totalling some £13,000.00 and continued until the late 90's when plans were finally scuppered firstly by the misguided efforts, of once again, the few, who campaigned to purchase the site - for what purpose we asked - of how were 'they' to raise the necessary funds - some six million pounds or so being the then asking price - or what could the site have been used for - should in the unlikely event of such a purchase price been raised - not reunions etc with only 221 beds on site and asbestos in most the building! making any alterations impossible - once this exercise had started, with support not only of the local population but the local press - our contacts with Potton's ceased - this, during a period when we were negotiating to have the mast sandblasted and painted - prices were being sought at that time and arrangements had been made with a group of mast riggers from Portsmouth to survey the structure - only for all contact with Potton's to terminate, we assume due to the local hostility towards the Potten group in local press reports - when the name 'Ganges Association' was often mentioned together with photographs of various committee members. Once the site was sold, after initial contacts, originally very pleasing and apparently full of goodwill with the new owners Haylink - only to cease after the local planning committee, on appeal quashed the plans that were on the table for some three hundred odd 'luxury' houses, was turned down - with someone standing at this meeting and speaking quite vociferously against such plans - on behalf of the HMS Ganges Association!
Should any wish to know what has happened to the remainder of the monies raised and loosely called the 'Mast Fund', held under the auspices of the Midlands Association, after many acrimonious messages posted on the Website followed by a visit from Trading Standards after a report to them of our supposedly ‘nefarious activities’ and several personal verbal attacks, once again by just a few again no doubt with encouragement from on high, against both myself and Geoff Hill of what and where the 'Mast Fund' monies were to be used - mostly it would appear to be frittered away (no doubt in the same way as the association funds are now rapidly disappearing - depleted by some £66,000.00 in the last two years) on such things as welfare! - this fund was held in a bank account in the name of the Ganges Association (Midlands) on 'instructions' from the original Ganges Association Committee under the then Chairmanship of Captain Dunlop and Secretary Cdr Bill Fitz-Herbert, who did not wish the Association to be involved with such a venture as either the Mast Fund or Sloproom (once again Geoff and myself stuck our necks out and used our own monies to create both ventures) – finally, last year the Midlands Members decided that enough was enough, that this account be closed and the monies transferred to the Museum – this together with previous donations bring the total donated to this worthy cause to be in excess of £65,500.00. plus some £26,000.00 odd, in goodies to be sold as 'slops'.
On a personal side - have never made much of my personal history, neither have I ever been a glory hunter or made much of our ‘family’ efforts. On the RN side, did not serve too long in the Andrew (not quite long enough to qualify for my first good conduct badge although in life should have collected the 19th this year) after joining Ganges in Sept '48 and remaining there until late 1950! Rising to the dizzy heights of Leading Boy and for a period was senior boy at Ganges with the entire pay parade falling in behind me (read John Douglas ‘Tales of the T.R.O.G’s and see ‘The Longest serving’ available from the ‘sloproom’) Was medically discharged in 1954. As for RN achievements, had, before the age of 20 qualified for L/Tel at H.M.S. Ricasoli in Malta - although I virtually finished with the service in 1953 after returning from a two year eight month commission in the Med – the latter period as one of FOF Med's flag staff - for the Coronation, only, un-beknown'st to me to find my father dying of cancer - after my foreign service leave and the maximum compassionate leave had three months temporary release to look after him - no welfare state or assistance in those days just basic dole money and 25 bob grocery voucher once a fortnight from SSAFA - as a result of the trauma and strain looking after my father went down with plural effusion pneumonic whilst still on release - upon recovery returned, with VIP treatment and a medical escort to the service via RNH Stonehouse and was classed P7R and drafted to Vic Road Signal School for a few months - in fact was during this time involved with the opening of the new signal school at Drake. For the first few months at Vic Road Signal School, was also employed on telephone exchange then moved to MTX exercise correction party for new entry wrens - a good job to have - must have been one of the best in the communications branch! until return to RNH Stonehouse for a routine X-Ray, after loafing around in Ward D3 for over a week – suddenly found myself up before the Surgeon Rear Admiral and on my way home P.U.N.S – 40% disabled and a £1.17.6 pension per week - stopped after twelve months! At this time receiving a chitty to say I was eligible for national service - once again to green to challenge this decision.
Upon discharge from the Andrew - with four weeks discharge leave plus a demob suit that nearly fitted – was left high and dry to fend for myself with no help from the service at all. As all realise after joining as a Boy 2nd Class at the ripe old age of 15 and spending those six years in a blue suit did not have a clue about civvie street - if it hadn't been for a kindly retired Colonel in the local labour exchange who assisted me find a place with the rehabilitation service thence on to a Government Training Centre - goodness knows what would have happened!
Re-trained first as a television service engineer, moved into the world of early electronics working with Mullard Ltd (the famous valve manufacturers) for nine years as the midlands area service engineer repairing, maintaining many and varied pieces of test equipment mostly for the radio and television industry in the Midlands area, plus visiting various factories - mostly in the car manufacturing trades to demonstrate and explain the use of various switching devices to be used in the setting up of early remotely controlled track assembly lines.
On the closure of the Mullards Midlands Service Depot, moved on to become involved in the more conventional electrical field, initially working on pub conversions (a good job for and ex Jack) - finishing up in the civil engineering business first working on conventional tunnelling shields, installing and maintaining such equipment plus for a period working with shot firers on the blasting side involved mainly with the checking and wiring of detonators - often pressing the button for the big bangs to follow - could write a book on the experiences on this period of the life and the often, on reflection, quite amusing experiences. With advancing techniques in the tunnelling field moved onto setting up and maintaining and occasionally assisting in building of tunnel boring machines when this new method of tunnelling came into ‘fashion’, working on both the remotely operated and the manned versions of such beasts of machinery - up to fifteen feet diameter - bit like being a submariner on land - underground not undersea - worked at many locations around the country at one period it was not unknown to spend many an hour in such places as way out under the river Mersey whilst repairing the control circuits on the cutting head of a four foot diameter (quite a tight fit with all the pipes and other necessary items required for such work) remotely operated pipe jacking machine or having to abandon a seven foot machine during the periods the of high tide at New Biggin by the Sea – at this site two of our working shafts were located in garden allotments used by the world champion leek grower or even working deep underground beneath Crewe Railway Station – or the flood plains of Kings Lynn often staying weekends with ‘Bud’ & Joan Flanagan 'Oh happy days!'. Often whilst temporarily living in houses provided by the main contractor at these various locations, spending many an evening sorting out sleeping arrangements for reunion in the days when all the work was carried out with a pencil and A4 note pad, often meeting up with the local Ganges Boys - on occasions helping to set up new divisions - usually chairing the first meeting - opening the said meeting and requesting a chairman be elected thence retiring to my rightful position on the back benches! Or when in the locality provided an evenings entertainment to many a division with the ‘Ganges’ slide show, as Terry Briggs of West London is fully aware when I turned up a delicate shade of grey from possyment (A combination of fly ash and cement) dust to put he show on for West London on my way home from a contract in Hackney – the slides prepared with more than a little help by a friend in the legal business, created from many old Ganges photographs - now available on CD!
I have also been engaged over the years whilst our children were growing up with both scouts and guides as one of the principle organisers of swimming gala's and football league competitions here in Birmingham. Serving on the County committee covering these activities - and for many a long year ran a five aside football competition for cub scouts. At the end of the this period Eileen and I were awarded for our services to the Scout movement, the scouting ‘Thanks Badge’ at a joint ceremony! Have also been involved with the Royal Life Saving Society for some 40 years or so - as both instructor - examiner and area organiser - looking after Birmingham Life Saving Class for some 25 years until succeeded by our youngest son Jeremy, Eileen has been, and still is, the Class secretary, for these services she has received many awards including RLSS Service Cross and two Bars and as far as we know, is the only person in the world to be presented with a RLSS Centennial Bronze Medallion - and a non swimmer to boot! I was also involved with the setting up of Birmingham Lifeguard Club, during my period as equipment supremo, raised sufficient funds to obtain two commando rescue craft plus the engines required both for rescue work and training purposes and was also involved with the obtaining eight rescue canoes. During this period often providing and even on occasions taking charge of rescue cover provided for both the Red Devils and/or Midland Parachute Club when landing either in or around the National Exhibition Centre's Lake Pendigo, Edgbaston reservoir or other such water based venues around the Midlands - Eileen was often ‘the Lady who loved milk tray’ at these exhibitions - only after the show finished the parachutists descended upon our caravan and helped to devour the said chocolates provided by Cadbury’s! We also took the rescue craft to many locations and gave demonstrations of ‘Life Saving’ techniques plus patrolling many Midlands rowing regattas, often providing umpire boats. I also served on the National Life Guard committee with main task of helping to organise six UK National Lifeguard Championships and two world championships alternating between chief steward and assistant chief steward, the final event I was involved in was at Thorpe Water Park - for this I was awarded the RLSS Service Medal presented by Prince Michael of Kent. Having during this period attended many functions with local dignitaries in the various championship areas, including dinners with the odd Lord Mayor or other such local notables during set up periods - even attended Royal Garden parties the last one in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother have also attended a couple of functions in London's Guild Hall..
Eileen and I have been married for 54 years and have four children, three with degrees or similar qualifications the other lad who is dyslexic is a qualified electrician working on MOD sites - the elder two are high flyers in the Department of Work and Pensions the youngest a computer boffin with a Bsc (Hons) degree is employed as a works control engineer in the motor manufacturing trade - for many years the Association had the use of his skills free of charge to adapt and maintain the Associations data bases - now it would appear these have been contracted out, costing the association funds vast amounts, no doubt running into many thousands of pounds.
For my sins now, in addition to keeping the Ganges Midlands running and still being available in help in any way I possibly can with the Birmingham branch of the Royal Life Saving Class, am mostly involved with a local charity that provides low cost good quality, new and/or second hand furniture for those on benefits – having been so involved for the last twelve or thirteen years and am now a (unpaid) director of said charity. In the early days of our involvement – that is Geoff and I – the charity was virtually bankrupt –we now have a very healthy bank balance and five vehicles on the road (recently taking delivery of 3 new 7 ton vehicles) plus employing 22 people in either full or part time capacity and have recently purchased for cash a new building necessary to carry out the back up business required to keep the charity afloat!
As for the H.M.S. Ganges Association - this was set up originally by the founding fathers - mostly for the Boy's of Ganges to meet and hopefully join up with their old classmates and instructors at the annual get together each year to 'celebrate' their lost youth - if one thinks about it, we did not have the ‘normal’ conventional development years as other teenagers of our time - when ever that was - in fact while at the BBC Studio's, Wood Lane prior to going live on the famous 'Blue Peter' programme had the greatest difficulty to explain to Biddy Baxter - the long serving producer - of our life at Ganges and later life as Boys at sea - she could not understand the strict routine we had to follow especially of life at sea when one had, if on shore leave be back on board by 1900 and to be in one's hammock before 2100 - but could do night watches on ones own in the wireless office reading broadcast.
Just another after thought - I have appeared on various TV programmes at least three times speaking, about either Ganges or the Mast - received over a thousand letters after the Blue Peter appearance! Forwarded by the BBC. It would be nice to know how many members are in the Association due to our efforts – of either the various TV and radio appearances plus articles in many a newspaper and our times spent at various events such as Navy Days – we must have given out literally thousands of application forms during these times.
Ganges Association and reunions are, or were, mostly for ex Boys - yes instructors and ships company were necessary evils (must have been the cushiest draft in the Andrew to be Ships company at Shotley even better than my time at Manoel Island) - the boys memory of dressing for dinner (supper to us) was night clothing – to the older generations of Boys - No 3's negative collars and silks - if any wish to have a formal dinner with posh frocks etc arrange one locally or attend the Bournemouth Friday While - Scarborough or Guzz weekend at Torquay - Yes we have all progressed far from those early days at Shotley, all fully aware and proud that the early training we received at Shotley has stood us in very good stead for the rest of our lives - not all were able to progress to great heights - many did just their six or seven years or what ever, then led just a good and honest life in their chosen field - we also learned to look after each other, although from the antics over the last couple of years that to seems to have been thrown out of the scuttle, again by the minority.
At reunions or any other gathering just listening to the stories told, one will find that there is hardly a vocation, profession or occupation not represented leaving many as just good hard working artisans - that is or was not the reason for taking reunions to such a venue as Pakefield - much thought and long discussions plus several visits including one by the full committee took place before this venue was decided upon - yes, in many ways it is not an ideal site but where else can one find a venue where we can be left to have exclusive use, total security for motor vehicles, with at least two venues for entertainment and at least three bars that can be used if required and finally and foremost not to far from our old spiritual home at Shotley - with the Museum open over ‘our’ weekend for all to visit - a must, especially those from far off lands - when possibly this is their one and only visit to the ‘old’ country and the place we all loved to hate - that gave us all such a good start to enter the big wide world we now occupy - where most lead a honest and hardworking lives after serving our country and taking the many perils, pitfalls and hardships in their stride - now laughing at those experiences - I once again stress the point the great majority were honest citizens who gave much back in their own way to society - whether it was through local councils - church and youth organisations, R.N.A's or R.B.L's - even the odd ones became MP's and at one time we had an ex BBC Newsreader in our midst!
By the way 'all' I or rather what ‘we’ do for reunions is to make certain everyone has a bed - with or near their oppo's - make certain the bars are open to suit the needs of reunioneers - have the CMG open with meal times to suit us with a variety of foods available to suit all needs and tastes at all meal times and that the 'tot' is ready before the Saturday evening meal - work with Graham and Shep to ascertain the entertainment is adequate for all, again using the two venues attempting to suit all tastes - apart from that leave everyone to do their own thing - one has only have to walk down between the cabins on the Saturday afternoon and see the lads out with their cans etc sitting around the tables 'swinging the lamp' or wander around the dining room and see the animated conversations taking place - finally the greatest pleasure I get is reading the letters of appreciation that arrive after the event - postie loves us - keeps him in work!
For our so called sins - prior to the 1996 parade at Shotley, we raised sufficient funds to pay for the coach transport for members and their guests attending the parade plus a packed lunch also the necessary funds to cover the costs of the RBL Youth band that officiated both at Shotley and provided the main entertainment on the Saturday evening at Pakefield.
Again for the 2005 parade raised enough money to cover approx one quarter of the costs of the Ipswich event plus sufficient for monies to pay for the coaches to Ipswich and for all who attended the parade to partake of the buffet reception held afterwards.
I had served the committee from 1984/5 until kicked off in 07 – co opted in the first instance – never on any occasion claiming expenses either for travelling, phone calls or other costs, have never on any occasion expected others to pay for my most enjoyable hobby! Times when many friendships, both new and old, were either made or rekindled!
Never like to be drawn into the fruitless debates on the web by those who sit in ivory towers and pontificate - one has to get out into the field and make things happen, if any wish to communicate with me, come along and see me at reunions or pick up the telephone or just call by and ring the door bell – always glad to have a conversation with anyone especially an ex Ganges Boy! – I also like to listen to the majority before making judgements! something the present committee seem in-capable of!
As nothing of the current controversy was brought into the light and discussed at Blackpool in 08 or Sinah Warren (09) where from information received 172 and 120 members respectively were present out of the 451 who sat down to dinner at Blackpool with the numbers at Sinah Warren still a mystery, quite a small proportion of the approx 3,500 UK members listed – as opposed to the 273 ex - Ganges out of the total of 401 who attended Pakefield June 08 & 229 out of 380 this year - therefore come along to Pakefield next June and again join in the festivities and various discussions that no doubt will take place.
Now the latest report is of a £20,345.00 shortfall on the Sinah Warren event! One should remember each reunion from 1986 to 2007 has either cut even or shown a small excess.
Enough of my waffle - this great association has to be brought back together by mutual consent! no more dictators of suspect character!