WOW!! What a year I'd just had, Called up in Oct'55, Square Bashing at 'Gamecock' Bramcote, Trade Training at 'Siskin' Gosport, Shore Base Draft to 'Fulmar' Lossiemouth. Then to top it all a Draft to 'Warrior', all in a year, what lies ahead next year??

With Andie Sparrow telling me the Warrior had a rubber deck and trials were about to commence for trying out Shackeltons on deck, and if they missed the arrestor wire, they just bounced off again, well who'd believe that!

Joining 'Warrior' Oct'56 offshore, at night, up a scrambling net, on the Portside, dressed in No1's and Burberry, Off, a M.F.V. marshalled into a hanger and called out for mess Nos; ours was 216, Harry Riley was the senior Killock. Kitbags were hoisted aboard by crane using the same net we scrambled on board by.

Next Day was intro to Flight Deck Officer Lt Cmdr Richardson, P.O. McKenna, Killocks Riley, Bartlett & Childs then a tour of the Flight Deck, after stand easy, a trip over the Warrior to find where everything was!

A rumour was started by Adamson or was it Gruber that we were off to Suez or the Pacific, anyway we were going Foreign!! With a big fridge and it was big in the hangar it was for victuals or special parts for the experiments we were going to do - Well, dockyard matey's removed the guns from the sponson's so it was obvious we were not going to Suez

I was lucky, I got the job, Firesuitman at Flying stations. (it was what I did at Lossie), so I was, chuffed, we were based aft of the island at 'GRUBER'S GROTTO' and it was labelled up,  Yes! He gets everywhere!!

We then did a load of working up Trails, around the U.K. Rosyth, Scapa, Belfast and then back to Guzz but in Belfast we came along side at Harland & Woolf Yard, on leaving we did trials with Short Seamews, Gannet S.51 Sycamores, S.55 Whirlwind.  Refuelled at sea on the run with RFA 'Tidereach' somewhere along the line we refuelled F627 & F27 , later an exercise with D30 'Carron' doing the same but this time doing the bosun chair bit, nice to see old salts working I thought, it all Happened on F/Deck.

Well when in 'Guzz’ it was more Refitting and out for a run into the Sound then back for Xmas leave. Then up to Pompey ready to sail off in January, it was at this stage our mess Killock Childs left, we got a new Killock then, a west country brogue, Bryan 'Butch' King.

We then had our lecture on what we were going to be doing. 'H'Bomb Test's' the Explosions, Radioactivity etc: we were told if you don't want to go or take part you have the option I think only one chap dropped out' we also were skeleton crew so many duties were duplicated. We then took on passengers!! Army (Pongo's) and RAF( Brylcream chaps) they were out on the same job as us.

With Heavy Storms in the Channel and Atlantic it was decided to delay sailing by two day's, it didn't make much difference, we tried to shelter in the Azores but to no avail

Having struggled through the Biscay. From there across the Atlantic in mountainous sea's which smashed our Bow's taking out our stanchions and rails, lost lifeboats from their Davits. If you weren't on duty it was make and mend or sling the Hammock, what a good idea that was cos I ran out of sewing. Reaching the Sargasso Sea was a dream to everyone especially those who had not travelled to well, Calm like a mill pond, flying fish, lots of loose seaweed, but calm.

First Foreign Port of call Kingston Jamaica W.I. Excitement for many as it was the first real foreign visit. So it was pointed out on 'Daily Orders' Do's & Don'ts,  visit the sick bay if needs be or else.

Next, having refuelled, was to go through the Panama Canal starting at Colon, I remember going through the very tight Locks, being pulled through by the mechanical 'Donkey's'. At one stage a scaffold tower had to be built so that the locks Pilot could see both sides of the ship, while going in and out of locks, he was only a little chap! I wonder how many will remember the lake of floating islands. Then it was down into Panama and out into the Pacific, on to Christmas Island.

The island though tropical, was a tent town that's where we off loaded our passengers, only to take on more this time up to Oahu (Honolulu) so they had some leave and we had our damaged Bows etc repaired in Pearl Harbour. The hospitality was good, off duty yanks gave tours of the island pineapple plantations of which there's a few, a night in the YMCA was a weeks pay!, and China town was for booze & tattoo’s, OUCH!

Having returned to Xmas island it was back to normal sea routine and Flying stations, (those feanaurt suits and helmets were HOT!!. We firesuitmen, Yearsley (Luke),  Lyons (Tiger), Page (Whacker), lost pounds in weight without trying.

Several incidents took place on board, like someone took a chopper down on the lift while it was still spread, A forklift ended up in the corner of a radar caravan during a hangar race, The Boxing match to settle a squabble. The 'AVENGER' missing the arrester wire, but it hadn't so he took off over the side and just cleared the oggin, 0h yes he did and he circled to put down right.

Well we did three 'H' Bomb Bursts in as many month's all of varying degree's and each one was as awe inspiring as the first. Feeling the burst heat up your back, facing the burst and feeling the wind of the shock waves, something you never forget

We wore No.8 (work gear) boots, antiflash gear and goggles. The Officers and Press wore 'GOON' suits white overalls with hood antiflash gear and goggles. After each burst, the ships flight took to the air to fly into the burst zone to gather samples and material they returned to the ship where they were decontaminated.

On completion of the tests our Roentgen Badges were handed in to the decontam station. Clothes worn were sent to the ships laundry for a good wash!! We then had the pleasure of up to Oahu again and then a tour of the smaller islands, Jarvis, Penryhn, Nassau, Raratonga & Pitcairn, met lots of friendly people. ate local dishes off a table of palm leaves, dancing by the Maori village girl's & boy's, the stick dance was very impressive, both of these event's were done on Penryhn & Raratonga. Pitcairn was a layoff visit except for a few, still the locals came on board selling their bits, l know that the island has a protective reef which is difficult to sail through so the locals have special longboats.

One thing that I nearly forgot, CROSSING the LINE Ceremony. How can you forget the Beard Competition won by our own 'Darkie' Bartlett, none of us shaved for weeks. The band all changed instruments what a noise, but no one noticed. Only Band Sergeant Millard RM. the seamen's div turned the fire hose on ALL senior ranks gave them a dowsing,

The FIJIAN contingent of RN did a special ceremony of Qualoqajori where a special brew is made and offered to Chiefs by Chiefs as a friendship thing?

We had at this time crossed the Equator (the line) some14 times and would be doing several more times before long. Then it was back to Malden & Xmas islands.

By this time several of the crew were finishing their time so they flew home. One of these was 'Taffy' Joel the oldest National Service Man the R.N. ever taken on. well that’s what he said. Me, I had joined the Ship's Band and got myself a new D.O. Lt. Cmdr. W. Black What a smashing chap!! also could have flown home but volunteered to stay WHY?  Why Have RNB when you can get a tour to show the flag all the way home, around South America, Gib, etc, etc.

WELL, showing the Flag as we all know, is square bashing, drill after drill and you do get it RIGHT. In every PORT!! Beating the Retreat is the ultimate, laying of wreath's by dignitaries ? President's and alike Embassy people etc;

Being in the Band we all had to move Mess's, I think I moved into somewhere near the NAAFI shop and the Band being a mix of all divisions, (duckie) we just got on with IT, as you do. That's Navy life.

PLACES VISITED!!

CALLAO/PERU. The capital Lima a place always to be remembered very close to my memories, Beating the Retreat, Cricket Club Dance we took over the Bands instruments and they applauded US. For me it was a visit not to be forgotten, I was entertained by a family, they laid on a Dinner for me but forgot to tell me to bring some shipmates well, a panic call back to ship sorted that and we got two chaps to come over. MAMMA as I called Augusta's mum was delighted, one chap was a spark's, Buster Brown from Brum, the other can’t remember the name but we had a smashing time. They kept in touch for years after getting back to Blighty.

VALPARISO/CHILE. A very busy Port as I remember, usual Beat the Retreat routine. One night ashore.

MAGELLAN STRAITS into winter BLUES, was it COLD!

PORT STANLEY, FALKLAND ISLES. Who got Wrecked! The watch ashore ,The Liberty Boat HOLED!! The Ole man went Mad, cleared Lower Deck, Mass clean up exercise, But what do you expect @ 1/6d A Pint. Was that beer or scotch? Lovely people anyway.

PORTO BELGRANO, ARGENTINA. Base of the Argentinean Navy. Here we went on Exercise to show off 'WARRIOR' along came a couple of Frigates plus something else of the South Atlantic fleet and it was play sea time, BUT one thing, we all know and it's best known for is DO NOT GET ON A BUS, it's going to the nick from the Dance Hall!!-*+!!

BUENOS AIRES. Well down the River Plate, Well known for it's W11 history,

We were escorted by old WW1 steam destroyers/ frigates; we dispatched a chopper to lay a wreath on to a Ferry Disaster a day or two before. The hospitality was great, a Big party was put on by a British Store 'Selfridges’ if my memory serves me right We had Open Ship as news was out the Argy Navy were going to buy 'Warrior', When they came in their thousands by any means of transport, we tried to stop them coming on board, a kiddie got hurt, in the end a hose was aimed at the jetty to make them go back, it worked. The usual helicopter displays were put on, the Band did its bit playing on the march, the drummers showing off their skills with the stick routine ,then we were on our way again.

MONTEVIDEO.  A short run up the River Plate, found the place a bit clinical and boring compared to B.A. They still sold postcards of the wartime epics that the place was infamous for being neutral during WW2, a short stay then on our way.

RIO-DE JANEIRO. What an entrance for a Harbour, the figure of Christ high up on that mountain point overlooking all who come and go. The first thing Guard & Band did was Beat Retreat Parade, we were put into buses and had Police escort sirens blaring the way to the Memorial, well, that brings the crowds, as we know how the Latin’s act, but no trouble good, parade, plenty of time off to see the sites have a few bevies. Coca cabana Beach was something for sore eyes, lovely sands stretching for miles, remember sitting in a bar chatting up some young Brazilian beauty and what turns up? (No, not Gruber) the ships Choppers showing off, stealing our show, the girl never did believe we flew them. Well, the next run was along way off cos we've got the Atlantic to cross again and it was better than going out.

GIBRALTAR. Last port before going home to Blighty, get the final rabbits (presents), have a cup of tea with proper milk not that powder stuff, a walk/climb up the mountain  to see the apes, take in the view, all the tourist things including a few beers. A bit of a trial in the Med then back to Blighty.

We had a good trip back to Pompey in time for some Xmas leave. After mooring up alongside, families came on board to welcome us home. Can you imagine the stories about to be told? Sharks half the length of the ship. Manta Rays with wing spans to match the Avengers we catapulted over the bow. Dancing HULA girls, Banyans on Cook isle, cases of beer from the NAAFI shop downed in one on a Banyan and those hermit crabs that always invaded every party, and not to forget the Bombs!! I was given some leave, then back to 'Warrior' clear my kit and drafted to 'DAEDALUS' and then went through discharge routine seems to take days, so out into Civvy street, the old job (how boring) and nobody believes what we experienced.

I will always remember the camaraderie of the ship, the signature tune of the band & ship was aptly 'THE HAPPY WARRIOR'. I often wonder where are they NOW, Harry Riley, Butch King, Darkie Bartlett (crossed the bar) 'Jock the Doc' Harris, John 'DOG' Batcheldor, Des West, 'Tiger' Lyons, 'Blondie' Gruber, Luke Yearsly, 'Geordie' Adamson, 'Frenchie’ Jardine (Crossed the bar), Tug Wilson jnr, Dhobi Summers from Gloucester, Bill 'Jock' Cameron ( Crossed the bar), Ken Brockehurst, 'Taffy Joel', 'Buster Brown-Brummy, Fred 'Snaps' Andrews, Bascombe who?, Dickie Thirtle, 'Soapy Watson (drum major), Band Sergeant Millard RM, D. Morris(band), Eric 'Nobby' Ball. ‘Cats’ Price from Birmingham,

Obviously, some have been found, others have crossed the bar. BUT where are so many ?????