Items of Interest to all Sections of the Branch

[Pelican]

Perhaps of interest.

[Pelican]

See caption for details.

[Pelican]

J.T.O. - For the info of those like me:

I'd never heard of JTO so an oppo did a bit of digging and came up with:
Alec Wallington JTO or Junior Tactical Operator was the new name for Boy Signalman same as JRO was the new name for Boy Telegraphist. I joined as a Boy Seaman, became a Boy Telegraphist and then became a Junior Radio Operator all in the space of a year.
Dave Jonah Jones I joined Ganges in 1962. Started off as a JTO (Junior Tactical Operator). A few weeks into training, the system was changed and all communicators on course became JRO(U). We all had to learn about radio as well as "bunting" skills. After part 2 training at Mercury and initial sea training, you went back to Mercury and sub specialised in radio (G), tactical (T) or (W).

[DaveH]

There was a lot of messing about David but I think we generally used "Sparks" and "Bunts" .

Titles were always changing , keeping someone in lollipops at MOD .

Every Branch went thru' it so today an I Ilike many many old tars are completely confused,com

[Pelican]

There was a lot of messing about David but I think we generally used "Sparks" and "Bunts" .

Titles were always changing , keeping someone in lollipops at MOD .

Every Branch went thru' it so today an I Ilike many many old tars are completely confused,com

At least the RFAs are keeping standards up Dave including flashing which must panic some of our lot these days.
God knows what would happen if they started using semaphore.

[DaveH]

Too true , I found in the 60's on loan to RFA's in the Far East that we needed opposite subject daily , Light , Flags and Semaphore . Sometimes it surprised "Bunts" on the RN Ships that Sparks on the RFA was proficient in both ....... but then Sparks did both .

[Pelican]

Too true , I found in the 60's on loan to RFA's in the Far East that we needed opposite subject daily , Light , Flags and Semaphore . Sometimes it surprised "Bunts" on the RN Ships that Sparks on the RFA was proficient in both ....... but then Sparks did both .

'Down your Way' totally off piste but you may like it Dave - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NeOACP ... B2dyc-IobM

[Pelican]

FROM THE DAUGHTER OF BOY TEL JOHN BARRY BLACKBURN GANGES 16TH MARCH 1954

"Julie Bailey:
I posted on here a few weeks ago regarding my dad who is sadly no longer with us. I now have his service papers and some photos of him which I’ll post. On this photo he is bottom row 3rd from the left. He may have been known as Johnny in the Navy, to everyone here he was known as Barry from a little village called East Leake south Nottingham. Would love to hear from anyone that may have served or knew him x"

His docs. as well as Ganges Annexe photo are added in case you came across him later.

P.S. Another 2 photos from his daughter - he is 4th from right in both of them.

[Pelican]

Anyone come across C.Y.S. Trice?
His last draft was the Signals Centre Cyprus during the Suez Crisis.

[Pelican]

1960 GANGES BOY WILLIAM [BILLY] BLANFORD P/O58XXX BOY SIGNALMAN

The following message has been sent on behalf of William (Billy) Blandford (P/058xxx), originally from Ilford and a supporter of Leyton Orient, who served as a ‘buntin’ in the RN from 1960 to 1972.
Billy is now in a nursing home with limited use of his hands and problems with his eyesight. He spends most of every day in bed and has NOT seen members of his family, including his wife, for a year.
However Billy retains a very active brain and would love to speak with ex shipmates.
Billy joined HMS Ganges in 1960, completing his training at HMS Mercury carrying out sea time on HMS Hardy, before returning to HMS Mercury. He then served on HMS Leopard 1962-1964, Northwood (HMS Warrior) 1964-1966, HMS Fife 1966-1968, Whitehall W/T 1968-1970 and finally HMS Arethusa 1970 to 1972, flying back from Mauritius to be demobbed.
Billy is now limited to the use of a mobile phone with large keys!
Billy has particularly mentioned the following from HMS Fife, Chris Smith, Frank Cobbold and George Nudemann (apologies on spellings) and a WREN from earlier days, Sally Rowan -Robinson from Suffolk.
If you knew Billy and would like to converse with him PM me and I will provide you with his telephone number.
Thanks in anticipation
MacHead

[If necessary I can put anyone who know Billy in touch with MacHead]