Anecdotes

Chris Fish's picture

Memories of a Desert Island, Christmas Island.

The pictures I am placing in the Photo Galleries are of the journey out to Christmas Island. The time spent on Christmas Island and the journey home. The first picture I like to show is of a map of Christmas Island, my father (he passed away 1994) had of the Island, produced around 1934 or 1935. Over time I will place other pictures in My Gallery but at the moment the other picture I place in the Gallery is a picture of Christmas Island taken from the now retired Space Shuttle. Picture courtesy of NASA.

The Making Of The Man Page 8

This would take place once a week after evening meal. 19.30 for 20.00 hours. They designed the course, a straight dash of 12 feet. The track was 5 lanes, each 6 inches wide, 2 inches deep with raised sides of plastic down the length. This enabled the crabs to be seen and to see each other and to be kept in separate track for the rule was that no two crabs were to be in the same lane. The Police drew up the rules, so we knew they would be fair. However, as Police, Firemen, Clerks, Cooks and 'Posties' are honest. I personally did not see the need for such formal drafting...

The Making Of The Man Page 7

The build-up continued and the runway was duly completed. The ancillary buildings were built together with more permanent structures. The Royal Navy built a Sea Water distillery plant and the water that we all took for granted tasted sweeter and not so brackish. Showering was still a luxury, but we were issued with salt-water soap that did eventually give a lather but still took a fair time to rinse off

The Making Of The Man Page 6

The mail arrivals became more regular as the weeks went by, and a move from Port Camp to main camp was made, which enabled us to be with the force H.Q. This was now equipped with Heavy Plant, Tractors, Rollers, Bowsers, Mixers etc. These were brought ashore from the Fleet Auxiliary and Transport Steamers from all corners of the Merchant Marine. The supply ships bought surface mail, parcels and newspaper post to be distributed amongst the island forces and civilian staff.

The Making Of The Man Page 5

I returned to Gunsite, reported to the Chief Clerk, was ordered to hand in my bedding, to collect "Kit tropical" and to then return to the Chief Clerk and receive my orders. This I did and was told I had a warrant to get me home and to have two weeks leave. I was then to report to the Movements Officer, Liverpool Docks. Still there was no clue as to my destination.

The Making Of The Man Page 4

We were quartered at Gunside Camp. twixt Wormwood scrubs Prison and the Middlesex Hospital. For those who can recall the location, around the square were the wooden huts. MT Park at the top of the square, living accommodation to the right, and administrators block at the bottom of the square. The veranda enclosed the PC Adjutant and Orderly Room. The regimental flag flew in all its glory and the hub of the Royal Engineers Postal Section was the centre of a world wide service, second to none.

The Making Of The Man Page 3

I was relieved, glad that we would not have to go through that every time that we were going to be "on parade". It took an hour to get it right, and I am sure it was the fault of the R.S.M. for being too ambitious.

The Making Of The Man Page 2

They were then able to bang the serving utensil on the rim of his pot. and transfer whatever he was dispensing onto your tray. Their aim was not always true however, although in hindsight I suspect it was done deliberately because we were new. Finding a seat at a large table was the next task, and we sat down to our first army meal.

The Making Of The Man Page 1

With no particular concern, I attended the Army Recruiting Office in July 1955 and duly registered for National Service. I was the youngest of four boys. My father had served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, one brother had been in the Royal Corp of Military Police and the other two served in the Royal Navy. In October of the same year, I was instructed to report to Merebrooke Training Camp, Malvern, Worcestershire - it was now my turn to contribute to the cause.

HMS Warriors Daily Routine for D.Day 15 May 1957

D.L.C...................LT. CDR. RICHARDSON. DUTY DIP P.O.......................SLMR. WATSON.
A.O.O.D..............LT. ALLEN. DUTY R.P.O............................R.P.O. SAMPLE.
D.C.O.O.D..........S/LT. PHILLIPS. P.O.O.D...................................P.O. LEASK.