HomeRNA 10 Area. John Pickering - Committee Member.
Joined R.N. in Aug. 1950 aged 17yrs, entered Raleigh as Jnr/Stoker for basic training.
Oct 50 joined H.M.S. Howe for Machinery course then went into Barracks at Guzz for 1st time.
Drafted to H.M.S. Vanguard in March 51 for Accelerated Advancement Course, first trip to Gib.
July back to Guzz until September, then drafted to H.M.S. Indefatigable in the Home Fleet, spent 11 months swinging round a buoy in Portland with the occasional cruise to the break up the milk tins.
Nov 52 into Barracks for another couple of months Fire school drill.
Then a draft to H.M.S. Alaunia for the Mechanical Training Course.
From Nov. 52 to March 53, quick draft this time to H.M.S. Implacable, once more into the Home Fleet at Portland, join the navy and see... etc. Paid off the " Implacable" in Pompey in November 54, then back to Guzz until Jan 55
Joined H.M.S. Ark Royal as stand by Crew in Birkenhead until Commissioning in April, then did first commission round Malta and the Med until June 66, back to Devonport but this time into the Reserve Fleet H.M.S.Orion, did some time on the Monitor H.M.S. Roberts, living on the H.M.S.Dodman Point. P.O. of the Laundry, what a cushy number that was, but I got a Pier Head Jump from there onto H.M.S. Cavendish
My first small ship and a Destroyer at that, 2hrs notice, quite pleased about that, it got me ready for my next draft, spent two weeks on board until relieved then back to "Orion", then unexpectedly was drafted to H.M.S.Dunkirk, Battle Class destroyer for an extended refit, taking her out on her Sea Trial after seeing the ship built up from an empty shell, great experience especially full speed trials.
All good things come to an end and it was getting close to my Demob, having got married when I joined the Ark in 55, our first set of twins arrived in 57 and I had to leave the "Andrew" just as I was beginning to enjoy myself.
Got Demobbed in 1958 and worked in and around Boilers ever since until retiring in 1997, now I work as a volunteer on the Steam Tug Daniel Adamson which we are restoring to her former glory and hope to sail hi her hi the very near future.
All the best to you Shipmates
Yours Aye J.R.Pickering.
