T.S.Formidable -- B.T.S. FORMIDABLE

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Date Posted: 15:09:31 02/02/07 Fri
Author: Richard (happy)
Subject: T.S.Formidable

Hello friends of Formidable
I have had a chance to read most of the items on the site and looked at the huge array of photos, I�m really pleased to have found this site after all these years. It looks like there is some good organisation going on with the reunions. I am sad to have missed meeting Commander Johnson, he is one of those characters who it seems most of us have remembered being of the old school of instructors. It is good to see Chaps the Chaplin still going strong I like the photo! He must be one of the few remaining staff from the 1967 period.
George Drewetts story is a great contribution to the site. If all the old boys recounted their experiences from the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy over the period of BTS and TS Formidable 100 year history it would expand the possibilities of the site and contribute a unique record of its history. The Gordon Sollors story (on the other BTS Formidable link ) is quite an epic account of life at Formidable that seems to capture the customs unchanged over time of this institution. I feel sure there are more stories are out there somewhere just waiting to be told!
Sharky Ward the March past picture taken at the Admiralty Inspection I would date at June 67. There was a major fire that started in the TV room beneath Anson dormitory about that time. I believe the burnt or broken windows and smoke damage can be seen in this picture. I am not certain if this is a damaged photograph or if it really does show the damage as I remember it. Several of the windows were burnt out and the flooring which was 6� x 2� T & G planks was also damaged badly. Several boys were lucky to escape onto the roof since the main staircases acted like chimneys�frightening. The whole of Anson Division had to sleep in the sickbay corridor till remedial cleaning up was done by the boys. The fire brigade pumped water from the swimming pool to put out the fire. There was quite a mess. If anyone can remember the incident it would help me clear up the dilemma I have, would the Admiralty inspection have gone ahead under these circumstances? I have a feeling that it did!
Following the fire, cleaning stations took on a new meaning. Smoke damage was widespread but everything was cleaned up in a very short time. I was officers mess boy then and remember the wire wool and polishing to that floor area to get it back to spotless condition.

In 1967 for a short while I joined HMS Venturer the Mine Sweeper with twin screw Deltic Marine engines berthed at Bristol, as officers mess boy. We were part of a flotilla of destroyers and minesweepers taking part in a NATO exercise to Denmark. The ports of call included Southampton, Chatham, Lowestoft, Kiel Canal, and Flensburg. It was the first time a flotilla or any British ship had been in this port since the war so it was quite an occasion. It appears that HMS Venturer was broken up during the early eighties, many other naval ships met the same fate. The most recent cut backs have reduced the Navy to about fifty ships which perhaps is the reason for the closure of most of the training institutions. I am glad to have been part of that way of life for a short while. I think that is about all I can set out at the moment please keep in touch.

Richard

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Replies:

Re: T.S.Formidable -- Paul Walker (ahhhhh was that real?), 17:20:55 03/01/10 Mon