34 years ago... where did the time go?!

[Lee W]

Today 34 years ago, I left the comfort if my parents house, school friends and started a journey that would develop me from the idiot I was in to the bigger idiot I am today.
Over the course of the next 5 1/2 years, I would go to places that I dreamed of, places I never knew existed, places I never want to see again! Done things that I never thought I'd do in a lifetime! Friendships were forged and continue today. Thanks to the Royal Navy for making me a near alcoholic but by Christ it was fun doing it!

The tender age of 16

[boatman]

HI Lee very smart an is it HMS RALEIGH ? on your hat
chrisb

[The Smythe Meister]

Today 34 years ago, I left the comfort if my parents house, school friends and started a journey that would develop me from the idiot I was in to the bigger idiot I am today.
Over the course of the next 5 1/2 years, I would go to places that I dreamed of, places I never knew existed, places I never want to see again! Done things that I never thought I'd do in a lifetime! Friendships were forged and continue today. Thanks to the Royal Navy for making me a near alcoholic but by Christ it was fun doing it![ATTACH]477423[/ATTACH]

The tender age of 16

HMS Raleigh... Just across the water from when I was doing my apprenticeship in Devonport Dockyard ..
A PROPER uniform,and well presented there mate... have you seen the "laid back"attire they dress up in now?!!......

[Lee W]

HI Lee very smart an is it HMS RALEIGH ? on your hat
chrisb

Hey Chris, yes mate it is Raleigh, our class passed it as guard of honour :hugging-face:

[Lee W]

HMS Raleigh... Just across the water from when I was doing my apprenticeship in Devonport Dockyard :smiling3:..
A PROPER uniform,and well presented there mate... have you seen the "laid back"attire they dress up in now?!!...:sad:...

Hi Andy (or should i call you Janner?), thank you. Yeah new uniform doesn't look right compared to the rig I know?!

[The Smythe Meister]

Hi Andy (or should i call you Janner?)..

JANNER will do fine mate

[Lee W]

JANNER will do fine mate

That was my nickname in the mob... even though I'm from Dorset!

[Airborne01]

I trust your dickie was correctly pressed! PS I always get nervous around officers with maps and Jacks with rifles!
Steve

[Lee W]

I trust your dickie was correctly pressed! PS I always get nervous around officers with maps and Jacks with rifles!
Steve

At least I wasn't a marine, could you imagine the devastation on a box of crayons! :tears-of-joy:

[Airborne01]

At least I wasn't a marine, could you imagine the devastation on a box of crayons! :tears-of-joy:

Thank Heaven for small mercies Lee! And they still say they taste best with curry sauce ...
Steve

[Airborne01]

I can almost feel your pain in this thread Lee - my service was from '65 to '89 - just pretend it was only a year or two ago! Nothing wrong with a generous measure of self-delusion!
Steve

[Lee W]

I can almost feel your pain in this thread Lee - my service was from '65 to '89 - just pretend it was only a year or two ago! Nothing wrong with a generous measure of self-delusion!
Steve

You have my utmost respect for 24 years service

[Bri62]

I joined in 81 D188*(% F.....remember Raleigh well I was in Benbow :smiling3: then off to Sultan in pompy left chief stoker 2003
Brian

[Airborne01]

I joined in 81 D188*(% F.....remember Raleigh well I was in Benbow :smiling3: then off to Sultan in pompy left chief stoker 2003 :smiling3:
Brian

My elder brother is an ex Ganges boy - did 24, left as CPO and still lives behind Sultan. He was an Ops Room Supervisor down South and it left an indelible scar on him. Aren't Stokers called ERA nowadays?
Steve

[Bri62]

Aren't Stokers called ERA nowadays?

Not sure when I left they were MEM marine engineer mechanic (m) for mechanical and (L) for electrical but I think there cross trained now.
Brian