Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

HMS Raleigh was commissioned on 9th January 1940 as a shore training base for Ordinary Seamen.
On 28th April 1941 a German bomb hit an air raid shelter on the base and killed 44 seamen and 21 Royal Engineers who were sheltering inside it.
In 1944 she served as the D Day embarkation centre for United States Navy forces and it was transferred back to the Royal Navy in July 1944 to continue with the training of seamen.
In the early 1950's it became the a New Entry training establishment for Engineering Ratings and Stokers undertook their Part 1 and Part 2 training there, then from 1959 it became a New Entrant training establishment for all branches where Part 1 training was underrtaking. Stores and Supply, Electrical and Fleet Air Arm ratings then undertook their Part 2 training elsewhere.
Modernisation of the base was undertaken in the 1970's and 1980's and it became the sole New Entry training establishment for the Royal Navy, incorporating the training of WRNS, Artificer Apprentices and Stores and Supply Ratings, who had been trained at Dauntless, Fisguard and Pembroke respectively.
You can find more about the history of HMS Raleigh here:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organi ... ms-raleigh

An early view of the main gate at HMS Raleigh

I had the "pleasure" of serving at Raleigh twice. After initial training at Royal Arthur, Oct.49, went to Raleigh to complete training as a Stoker. In 67 to 69 as a Engineer Sub Lieutenant I was Divisional Officer of Jellicoe Division, still wooden huts. It's all a distant memory now. May I make a request if any member of this forum who trained at Raleigh in Jellicoe Division has a photo of a passing out guard in which I appear, I would really welcome a copy, all my photos of this kind were lost in a divorce .

Just to remind anyone at Raleigh when I was, a photo of me & some of Jellicoe Division.

This our passing out parade 1966 around March or April ..

I can still hear the order "Anson, Benbow and Collingwood Divisions, left incline" to face the mast for the Colours Ceremony each morning at Divisions.

Jim

I just wonder how many guys felt the same ..... starting your time in pusser .

As we arrived at Plymouth, I could not see any matlows about on the station, so I went outside and there was a motley crew that was standing around, all chatting away. I made myself known, when this 5 tonner rolled around the corner.
Dropping the tail gate … “right all of you, get in the back, and hold tight” a voice demanded with some urgency. We were transported straight to the Torpoint ferry and the next time we saw tarmac was at the gate way to H.M.S Raleigh.
H.M.S Raleigh

Jumping out and we were sent along to the galley for some scan, supper time had been and gone , but the duty chef brought out some scan ,picking up a metal tray, we tucked in, and that was the very first time I had eaten off a metal mess trap. The tea tasted a bit odd, must have been the Bromide that was in it.
After getting topped up, we were shown to the NEW entries block. It was like entering a prison camp hut, made of wood, there was a passage way down the centre, with double bunks on both side, and the floor was so highly polished you could see your face in it. I claimed a bottom bunk, as I didn’t fancy being too far up near the roof, as I never had experienced sleeping in a bunk bed before.

On Friday the 28th Sept. I witnessed the passing out parade. I was at Raleigh with many others who had been to Raleigh. I went, I must say, thinking it can't be as good as it used to be. I have to admit that there may have been fewer on the parade ground but they were very good. The young men I spoke to were very impressive. Raleigh has been modernised & is greatly improved. The parade ground drill was perfect. The passing out classes did rifle drill, like the RAF regiment, no given orders, brilliant. The young man I spoke to didn't know what "clacker" was , why should he.

Quite Right Keith , must have been quite an emotional day for you to , as for "Clacker" hope he didn't speak Jackspeak or the least he would have shown was a wide Grin I suspect eh

Clacker, a pastry awning for a straight rush!

Hmmmmm ......the one I know is most often used by AB's for shore leave time or married quarters , but I could be wrong