Re: T.S.Formidable -- B.T.S. FORMIDABLE

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Date Posted: 17:20:55 03/01/10 Mon
Author: Paul Walker (ahhhhh was that real?)
Subject: Re: T.S.Formidable
In reply to: Richard 's message, "T.S.Formidable" on 15:09:31 02/02/07 Fri

>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

Do you remember the Vincent Velocette in the workshops? Had a leather tank cover and Paintwork like a raven single piston 500cc must have been worth a mint was near the welding shop to the right of the lower building.

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