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Life in the Andrew must be hugely different when compared to 1950 when I joined at the tender age of 17. I went into the Electrical Branch and trained at Collingwood - I think the basic training was only around 6 weeks when we did a lot of square bashing and essentially learned how to look after ourselves. Then our technical training commenced - again,I think it was around 18 weeks. When we qualified we all went our different ways - I recall out of our group of around 30, half a dozen continued their training as Radio Electricians Mates while the rest of us were Electricians Mates 2nd. Class. Most chose Pompey as their Port Division,then smaller groups went to Chatham and Devonport. I chose Devonport because of a girl !! 

The day we arrived in Plymouth and got ourselves to RNB in Devonport it was pouring and we straggled through Barrack Gates like drowned rats weighed down with hammocks,kitbags and toolkits. The Leading Hand on duty on the Gates called the Officer of the Day and he came out to look at us with some pity in his face. He told off one of the sentries to take us to our barrack block to dump our gear and then direct us to the Drafting Office to find out our ongoing destinations. Everybody got ships and had to report to the the wharf on various dates for transport to their ships. I was merely told,"E.M. Kendall, H.M.S.Drake to await draft." I didn't know it but my next two weeks were to be taken up with sweeping the Barrack streets - welcome to my new world. After two weeks of this and still no news, I was beginning to wish I had joined the Army but just as my spirits were at their lowest ebb,I was told to report immediately to the Drafting  Office. I downed my broom and wheelbarrow gladly and raced at 100 mph to the Drafting Office. I was informed that I was leaving at 2.30pm ( it was already 10.00am) that day with a small group of E.M.s to join the brand new HMS Eagle at Harland & Wolffs Yard in Belfast. I then met my new mates - Garbutt,Fleming and Breeze (I don't remember their surnames except Breeze and he was called Dicky) who to me were all very impressive - in fact two of them had badges up meaning they had 4 years of service !! Wow,I was very impressed until Fleming (a very dour Scot who was droll but dry) looked me up and down and said,"Come on sprog,grab yer gear and we'll get going." It turned out he had all our travel vouchers and was thus responsible for the safe arrival of our group in Belfast. But our first destination was Liverpool where we were to join up with another group of draftees for Eagle.

Anyway,for now lads and lassies,that's it cos I have things to do with Xmas fast approaching. If you found this mildly interesting I'll add a bit more for you next time I visit and continue my story of 'my first ship'.  

Cheers MsLady - I moved this some time ago into the right section but forgot to mention it.... better late than never. By the way, did you ever receive that wine case from Russ? You should email him and give him a slap if you didn't!