Desperately seeking Grandad. James Harold Prichard

[Keith at Tregenna]

My father was 5 when a lady read to him from the news paper
about his father, she finished reading looked down and told him
you will now have to be the man of the house. Later when his
mum did remarry, the step father would not have any thing to
do with the children's father in the house but, cared for the kid's
very well. Apparently, it was thought and said in those day's that
it took a big man to take on a widow with children.

Keith.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Chris yes thank you. its easy to let ones imagination run away. All these crews were vital. im a bit disturbed by a letter that has been found with his name and letters W/C.M after it. i tried to google this but did not find any direct reference apart from maybe C.M being court Martial eeeek so i will just hope now that he wasnt a naughty boy.
Kind Regards
Eric

According to what i can see it meant W/C.M Water /Construction Mechanic in the RN at that time.

[Eric Denyer]

According to what i can see it meant W/C.M Water /Construction Mechanic in the RN at that time.

thanks he seems to have been on a course according to the letter.

[Eric Denyer]

My father was 5 when a lady read to him from the news paper
about his father, she finished reading looked down and told him
you will now have to be the man of the house. Later when his
mum did remarry, the step father would not have any thing to
do with the children's father in the house but, cared for the kid's
very well. Apparently, it was thought and said in those day's that
it took a big man to take on a widow with children.

Keith.

Her step father was a beast sadly. once married he sold their family home and purchased a plot of land on canvey island. They all lived in a caravan whilst he built a huge bungalow... it was never finished. as a child i remember running around its unplastered inside with sheets hanging over the door openings.. rooms full of old lathes from a factory he also built to mass produce screws. these lathes in the factory were all belt driven, a crazy place and a man who was obsessed with perfection hence never finishing the house. the story is long.

Eric

[Keith at Tregenna]

thanks he seems to have been on a course according to the letter.

Three description of the land base:

HMS Curlew (anti-submarine fixed defence training establishment, Dunoon, Argyll)

The naval personnel serving at HMS Curlew, the Clyde submarine defence establishment in Innellan

HMS Curlew, Inellan, Dunoon, Argyll & Bute Harbour Defence Depot.

K.

[Eric Denyer]

Ref # 35 It seems nothing exists for HMS Curlew apart from a few references sadly.

- - - Updated - - -

[Keith at Tregenna]

Added as it may assist though I have not read all myself yet.

RESTRICTED
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Not to be communicated to anyone outside H.M . Service
ADMIRALTY FLEET ORDERS
A d m ir a lty , S.W.l, 23rd September, 1943

4405.—A/S Fixed Defence Eatings—Temporary Commissions in the Special Branch oî the R.N.V.R. (C.W./A/S.M. 405/43.—23 Sep. 1943.)

The arrangements for temporary commissions in the A/S Fixed Defence Branch differ in some respects from those for other types of commissions, and the following instructions are issued to clarify the position. 2. R.N.R., R.N.V.R. and H.O. ratings serving in the A/S Fixed Defence Branch are eligible for temporary commissions in the Special Branch of the R.N.V.R. On promotion they will be employed as A/S Fixed Defence Officers. Harbour Defence operators and ratings undergoing training in the A/S Fixed Defence Branch are not eligible to be recommended for any but Special Branch Commissions. The notation “ Special Branch for A/S Fixed Defence Duties ” should be made on all Forms C.W.l (T) started for H.D.Os. 3. For any men considered suitable during initial training a Form C.W.l (T) will be started in H.M.S. “ Curlew ” (late H.M.S. “ Osprey ”—Harbour Defence Section). The original of this form will accompany the candidate on discharge, in accordance with A.F.O. 1163/43, and the duplicate will be sent to The Secretary of the Admiralty (C.W. Branch), and the triplicate will be retained by H.M.S. Curlew 4. For any other men who are considered suitable, Officers-in-Charge (Commanding Officers) are to start Forms C.W.l (T). The original of this form should accompany the rating, the duplicate should be sent to The Secretary of the Admiralty (C.W. Branch), and the triplicate forwarded to The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. “ Curlew ”. Ratings will be relieved and withdrawn when required for interview in H.M.S. “ Curlew ”.

https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/defaul.../4393-4521.pdf

[Eric Denyer]

Ref #37 Wow good find Keith! i`m trying to take this in. its all a bit Greek to me but reading in-between the lines it seems he may have been on a course to use the new equipment being developed for anti sub warfare. the letter to my grandmother does mention a course. Can i ask please how you managed to find this? it seems to have a url for Australia .au
Kind regards
Eric

[Eric Denyer]

Ref # 37 - Hello Keith I have been trying to download this PDF file for hours but it just keeps timing out for me, the internet is shocking in rural France.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I have downloaded it but it is: 16.9 MB (17,752,064 bytes)

K.