Royal Navy

[Hugh]

Hello Dave,

The RN was a good career for me and I have no complaints. I spent some time aboard Merchant Navy ships in the eighties and enjoyed the experience but it would never have been my career choice. Everyone to their own I suppose. I have the upmost respect for the MN - I couldn't say anything less as my father spent 22 years with them and the lads I sailed with aboard MN ships were very professional and excellent seamen.

Regarding McTavishes Kitchens, it was burned down well over a year ago and nothing has been built yet in its place. Ben Nevis is all about timing; it's not always misty and rainy here, when you get the weather there is no finer place.

Don't worry about not getting up Ben Nevis, I have lived here for 43 years and I aint been up yet.

Regards
Hugh

[David Williams]

Hi Geoff.
Read about losing your relative on H.M.S.Gloucester.
A friend of mine also lost someone on that disaster.
Another friend of mine down loaded from somewhere
the full report of the ships life from launch to her sinking
with all her postings during her life until that awful day,including
a full crew list of all the casualties .If you would like a copy Ill
send them on,but its a thick pile,and Im not quite up to sending
photo copies through the computer,so if youd like to send me
your address Il willingly send them of to you.


Dave Williams(R583900)

[David Williams]

Hi HUGH.
Thanks for replying and sorry to read about MacTavish burning down.
nothing to do with me honest.I dont think that I shall ever be up that way
again.When I was up there the petrol was only about 50p a gallon,the good
old days.I doubt if I shall ever be up that way again,but if I do,we shall have
to try to get up the mountain(find a short cut).Hope you are keeping well,
stay in touch.Have a nice Xmas.

Dave Williams(R583900)

[Glan Phillips]

Hello Hugh,
I see that you are located in Fort William. Are you familiar with the Invergarry area ???
Cheers.....Glan

[Hugh]

Hello Glan,

Yes, in as much as it comes under my day job working patch - I am a telephone engineer albeit more office based now.

Regards
Hugh

[Mike Hall]

Hello Glan,

Yes, in as much as it comes under my day job working patch - I am a telephone engineer albeit more office based now.

Regards
Hugh

so when you are in the office,do you sneek onto the various merch websites?
mike

[Glan Phillips]

Hello Glan,

Yes, in as much as it comes under my day job working patch - I am a telephone engineer albeit more office based now.

Regards
Hugh

Hi Hugh......many thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned Glengarry, very good friends of mine (also originally from Wales), owned the "Tomdoun" hotel until a few year ago, beautiful spot overlooking Loch Garry. maybe you have passed by that way sometime. They are now living in Thailand ! Wishing you & family a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Best Wishes......Glan 9R397279)

[Glan Phillips]

Hope that this smokes out a few more RN or RNR Men and Women. When I came ashore from MN I found it was a big shock and it took me a couple of years to settle down to shore side ways of working that were totally alien to me. My Dads next door neighbour suggested I went along to HMS Sherwood in Nottingham. They Commissioned me a Acting Sub Lieutenant, made me president of the Bar, sent me away on some spectacular Royal Navy Training in Fire Fighting, NBCD and how to use a knife and fork!! I became an NCS Officer (Naval Control of Shipping) and best of all they made me “List one Liaison Officer” and my job was to meet with all the MN/RNR officers (mainly Mates) who were obliged to report to their nearest unit whilst on leave and they helped us with Navigation Training. I had a great time, The Senior Service and RNR Reservists are a great bunch and they made me very welcome. They speak a different but recognisable language to the MN but we have more in common than you would think.
Best Regards Steve R770014 South Derbyshire RNR Retired.

Hello Steve.......I agree with your comments, I also served in the RNR for about ten years (never managed to become President of the Bar ! ) I was List 1 and also List 3 attached to HMS Cambria, South Wales Division, Cardiff at the time. I was Lieutenat (X),
normally did my annual training with MCM 10 Squadron, coastal sweepers, ton class but also did quite a bit as NCS Officer.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, especially a couple of NATO exercises on board HMS David (Open Bridge) out of Invergordon in very inclement weather !!! Wishing you and family a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Best Wishes....Glan (R397279)

[Hugh]

Hello Glan,

Thanks for your good wishes and I would wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

The Tomdoun Hotel is very familiar to me as is Tomdoun. I hate working up there but hey the scenery is breathtaking and that compensates.

Best wishes
Hugh

[Hugh]

so when you are in the office,do you sneek onto the various merch websites?
mike

Mike,

No time for sneaking into websites when I am at work - too busy dont you know.

Anyway I have never sneaked into any Merchant Navy site yet - always been invited.

Regards
Hugh