Was first at Island doing Basic as Jnr/Sea in 1958, then did FC2 course in 1964 (I remember Lt. Perry very well..........he didn't like bearded blokes in his ceremonials, so "escaped" Churchill funeral and November Handicaps - his dulcet tones were often heard proclaiming, "Where is that bearded bas$%rd with my tea"). Was Fraser Gun Range Ship's Company after FC2 course. Did GOW course in 1966, then worked in Planning Office - left the mob Dec.68.

did a fc2 course,also sailed yachts

Just wanna know about fireworks tonight!!!!

Hello all, just trying to download some photo's.

Hella peeps, Hav'nt visited for awhile, bin tryin' to find another job co's the company I've bin with this last 9yrs has gone down the toilet, thought I might retire with this company but 'another dropped stitch in lifes great tapesty!' bollox, it's a pain in the arse! . I've taken a coarse in solar energy and green stuff so if anyone needs tubes on thier house give me a nod and I'll give you a quote, apart from all this I woke up this mornin' and was still alive so thats a bonus

Great to see it all coming coming together.

I wonder if that is the Florrie Ford was on Ashanti 72/73?

I was at the island 53 for an R.C.3 COURSE 56 FC.2 course
ONE OF THE FIRST. tHEN AGAIN IN 59 AS X.P.PARTY BEST D,WORKED ON THE PIG FARM IN 54, REMEMBERTHE TOTEM POLE BEING BROUGHT TO THE ISLAND IN 56 BY THE CANADIANS

Now I am off to FOST this is a good way of still hearing dits as well as getting the BBB on a monthly basis. BZ

gunga, Lt Perry funny guy, sent one guy 3 times round parade ground, the guy was upset , when he had finished went to see Lt Perry to tell him he hadn't done anything wrong, so being the gent that he was Lt Perry said to him you have one in the bucket son, needless to say the guy was told to go round the parade once again, his reply was Sir I have one in the bucket, which was greeted with "take your effin bucket with you" magic.

Higgy, remember Lt. Perry very well..What a Parade Commander. When I used to see him ashore, he would always ask "Have you done any "GOOD" guards since we met last !!
On course he always enjoyed us singing, the Heinz bake bean song as we paraded along West Battery..

i have happy memories of Whale Island, first went there in '62 attached to Fraser Gunnery Range, then back in 64 for FC2's course, did the usual November Ceremonies missed the Churchill funeral (just), in '65, finished my time there as GOW in the Leading Rates Leadership School '68 til '70, does anyone remember Lt Perry parade ground commander what a guy if he wasn't picking on you, happy times. kind regards

I had the Pleasure of being at Whale Island in 1970 we were the first of the F/C G/Ls.it was a two's course and again as ships company in 1972. what a great place ,of course you only remember the happy times ,does anyvbody remember Charie in the Air Balloon he used to give you ,drink on tick ,and every fortnight you ended up handing over the pay packet,good luck to all you old gunners out there

ANY PROBLEMS SIGNING OUR GUESTBOOK PLEASE EMAIL ME,BIG JOHN (WEBBY)

Just happened to see in June's Navy News about this.
Great that us old gunners are gonna have a home from home.
I did my 2s course there (QA2), then on to XP.
My favourite blazer badge is my Whaley one too.
I just loved Whaley and Pompey.
Looking forward to the finished product--Best of luck with it.
Doc

Correction to last detail...Bob Pearce is on top step, LHS.

(I'm rear, R flank, LHS of two stood seperately)

Hey, I was there in Oct/Nov '83 training for the November Ceremonies.

Big memory was the annual 'MOT' of Royal death carriage where us 100 or so matlots were used to pull it the around the island.

I'll email you a pic of our contingent from 83.
The CPO GI seen in the centre of the pic is Bob Pearce....and he's still going strong running the occasional Drill Course for Sea Cadets.

forgot to say last time on the island was in 1992 for a small bore range course, to enable me to take sea cadets.i enjoyed it too

good one John.
I was in Excellent numerous time's between 1958 --1965 i was S/G Q/A* Hms defender --Hms urchin. when i was in singers
1963 (Mull of Kintyre) I i contracted M/S.and was consequently flown home to HASLAR.who very kindly drafted me to the Island for discharge,light duties.I had the job in the laundry,it was realey hard especially when the WREN's came to collect their laundry.very hard..anyway i was there until i was discharged 1965.
good to have a gunnery forum for all us gunners who are not very clever but can lift heavy weights,i dont remember haveing any phot's but if i do come across any i will post them.

I was an Ordnance Artificer and first stepped foot on the Island in 1962 and thereafter, on many occassions until the final time in the RN 1980. I later visited as a Civil Servant and briefly for the 100th Anniversary of RN Artificers in 2003. I'll have to look out some photographs.

Hav'nt left a messege for a couple of weeks. Must be my age or sumthin' dreamt I told my good lady wife "If you dont stop moanin, I'm packing me grip and hitchin down to Pompy" Foolish really, I sold my grip at a car boot sale last year ! ! !