Can someone please tell me all they can about the above named college and, if possible any of the cadets who passed through it's doors in the 1950's. Thanks.
Hi Alan, very good of you to get in touch. I was there 1957/58 and have been keen to track down any of those who were at that time. I have had absolutely no success. They must all have vanished into the ether. However, thanks to this site, last year I was put in touch with one of Capt.Rose's daughters. As a result of that contact,I now have some photographs of my fellow cadets and of the sail training vessel. She also brought me right up to speed on the staff. Many thanks. Enjoy your retirement.
I was there in 1970, engineer cadet, what was the training vessel called, from memory it was a fairmile? I spent 10 years at sea with Reardon Smiths, happy days spent in a haze of alcohol! Captain Ball was in charge, best lecturer was Durham, as he'd been there and done it..
I had just left school and was sent there for a two week induction course for the new ONC courses which started in 1970. The Margarita then was an ex mine sweeper. Sailed out of Barry.
It seems now to be something from a bygone age. Us ONC lads didn't even have uniforms. Woken up by bugle, climbing that bloody great mast and ballroom dancing lessons. Great induction for life on a tramp bulk carrier.
Did not do Induction but was of the origional group. Feb to July '71 & Sept 72 to Feb '73. Included me John James, Nigel Mears, Martin Taylor and Jack(?) Morgan, all 5 of us. Capt. Sleman, F. Ball & ....Ford. good times.
The original Margarita was no minesweeper but a very excellent sailing vessel of which we were all extremely proud. The minesweeper came later. Possibly the ex. St.David and no doubt under the command of the redoubtable Fred Ball.
I spent many happy nights on watch duty in both Barry & Penarth docks on the old girl. I have some excellent pics of her if anyone is interested.
Saw the name mentioned. I was a good friend of Fred Ball through the 1960's and 1970's, both of us were attached to HMS CAMBRIA, South Wales Division, RNR at Cardiff. I did some annual training cruises on board HMS ST DAVID the ton class coastal sweeper attached to HMS CAMBRIA.
Usually Fred who was a Lt Cdr was in command and I a mere Lt was first Lieutenant, good old days and many happy memories.
Sadly Fred passed away last year.
The TV of the 1950s/60s (Ex Nocturne) was spelled MARGHERITA. (Link to photo above). I'm fairly sure the minesweeper was not the late Fred's St David but a Ham Class.
That's it Lancs, I was thinking 1101just a minute ago!, M1113 it is, used to see it every morning, when walking to work from James street station to the central workshops Cardiff Docks, as an apprentice.
I spent a summer staying with my grandparents in Cardiff, in 1965, I think. Used to see her many times as my cousin drove me around the docks to look at the ships. the highlight (for an 8 year old) was when they had an open day so I was able to go on board and have a look around.
I have found a decent pic of the 50/60's Margherita but have no conceivable idea how to get it from my desktop unto this page. Beyond the limits of my PC know how. (MAD) So, if anyone has instructions in idiot proof language, I may give it a whirl.
Is your image a .jpg? The limits are 293KB at 1024x 800 which is quite generous. If its something else you should be able to convert it. If need be email it to me and I'll have a go at sorting it.
Re the HMS ST David I mentioned, the ton class coastal minesweeper attached to HMS Cambria, Sth Wales Division, RNR. She was ex HMS Crichton, I was one of the officers that picked her up from HMS Vernon (Shore Establishment) Portsmouth. Had a name change to HMS St David.....M1124.
Cheers
Glan
Re the HMS ST David I mentioned, the ton class coastal minesweeper attached to HMS Cambria, Sth Wales Division, RNR. She was ex HMS Crichton, I was one of the officers that picked her up from HMS Vernon (Shore Establishment) Portsmouth. Had a name change to HMS St David.....M1124.
Cheers
Glan
I believe it was around May 1961. We returned the 'old' St David to Portsmouth and commissioned M1124 as the 'new' St David. The old one M1112 had Mirlee's Diesels and M1124 had Deltic diesels, otherwise not much difference. Both 'open bridges' !
Cheers,
Glan
When we took the 'old' St David to Portsmouth and picked up the 'new' one, that was my first annual sea training since being attached to the South Wales Division, RNR. We execised daily out of Portsmouth for a week and then had a 'foreign' visit, to Scheveningen, Holland. Just realised that you live in Holland and probably know it !
If my memory is correct, nearly all the other vessels in port were fishing vessels ! We had a great time, but on sailing from there for the return passage to Cardiff ran smack into a force 8 gale as soon as we departed Scheveningen.
Cheers,
Glan
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