Climbing the Ganges Mast.wmv

HMS Ganges was a shore establishment for boy seamen. One of the tasks they had to do was climb the fearsome 150ft mast, with no safety nets or harnesses.The naval base is long gone but the mast is still there. Where was 'elf and safety when I needed it'

[@tamar5261]

I was there in 72 and because of my surname got bullied and hit. It made me stronger as I had nowhere else to go. I am eternally grateful to another guy with a strange surname and who was a lot bigger than most boys took me under his wing and protected me. Thanks Mike orgaski.

[@jantas5126]

I was a badge boy in Rodney Division 14 mess 41 class 1965 7 7 recruitment the monster CPO Baines was our instructor a great bloke. Made many mates and had one of the best times of my life. The Royal Navy was the best thing to happen to me apart from the lady I have been with this last 39 years. I would recommend joining the RN to any youngsters thinking about the forces.

[@stewartbush2638]

Does anyone remember a guy name of John Stuart Kerr

[@rogueriderhood1862]

I wanted to join the Royal Navy when I was 15 but my parents wouldn't give permission. Looking at this video I'm bloody glad!

[@beccabbea2511]

My uncle was a boy sailor at H.M.S. Ganges in the mid 1930s. I have a photo of the manning of the mast from then, where he is in the amazing mass of young sailors is anyones guess. Last year I was looking at the history of the Ganges and was delighted to see my uncle in a group photo from the time he was there. Unfortunately he died on one of the minesweepers, the H.M.S. Hythe, in the Mediterranean, so finding the extra photo was a lovely bonus. It’s just a pity my aunt wasn’t still alive to see her beloved as a young man again.

[@andywilliams2237]

The HMS Ganges mast has now been completely renovated and replaced - great to see the return of such an iconic landmark and hats off to Wavensmere for prioritising its restoration. It is a fitting monument to the 160,000 Boys who trained at HMS Ganges and served in the Royal Navy. There is a museum at Shotley Gate dedicated the history of the establishment - details can be found online.

[@lynrichardson2095]

My dad was button boy 36/37.I have a photo of him on the top. He also was wheel bearer in the gun carriage race at Edinburgh Tattoo but I'm not sure what year.

[@nemosis9449]

My dad joined at the ripe age of 15 and 3 quarters in 1938 and was a button boy the same year but never said anything about the sad ending of one boy. Shocked.

[@johnpatrick6116]

During WW2 my dad trained at HMS Ganges and climbing the mast was one of the tests that they had to pass

[@paulbradford8240]

A chap I worked with at BT in the 80's had been 'Button Boy' at HMS Ganges. His name was Jim. Unfortunately I can't recall his surname. He had a facial scar from being wounded on D-Day. He was in the SBS. I went there in 1988 as it was by then a Police Training Centre. We were not allowed anywhere near the mast, for fear of being sacked!

[@ivanbaxter5809]

I was there in Oct/Nov 1973. Always remember doing the memorial day march in Ipswich. Went to Pembroke for training then sent back to Ganges. The ghosts of thousands of mens hearts would weep to see it how it is now.

[@wag1kids815]

The very best of British!

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@johnclarke2997]

My father was a Petty Officer. He teached electrical mechanics in 1970s at Ganges having spent years doing the job on various ships.

[@derekstill6086]

Blake 7 Mess - Our instructor was CPO "Pusser" Brotherton. Commanding Officer was Capt Michael Le Fanu ( later 1st Sea Lord). Ganges was the best learning establishment I ever attended, and it turned out the world's best seamen. Joined on September 5th 1955. It was the best time of my life. I'm 76 now looking back, and I'd do it all again.

[@desyoung]

So would I. I was there July 1954 to October 1955 Grenville 19 Mess

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@rickvince4058]

@@maitaimik it is 'Aranjuez Mon Amour' (Translated, it literally means 'Aranjuez, my love'). Aranjuez is a Spanish town. Aranjuez kzbin.info/www/bejne/inncm6qjeL2Upqs

[@maitaimik]

@@rickvince4058 Many thanks sir

[@alasdairduke2052]

I remember a ceremony in the early 70 s when the mast was maned or dressed over all the button boy definitely had his brown pants on

[@petergallant8185]

I was in class 2 of Blake 6 mess in 1956 HMS Ganges, we all had to have a go at the mast, Peter Gallant,

[@jangreen5618]

My brother Gerald Evison went to HMS Ganges in 1963.

[@alanmillar1]

Same as

[@judynpeterjones3307]

I was there in '63, 63 recruitment, Exmouth 43 mess, I knew Gerald, we used to sail the whalers and cutters, I got my coxwain's badge! Great days, would do it again, but not at 73!!!!

[@kevin31157]

I was a `TROG` (Trained Rating Of Ganges) in April 1974 and yes John you are right, i never saw any molesting or heard of any while i was there. That is pure bullshit, they were MEN the officers and GI`s and PO`s of Ganges, not shirt lifters or paedos. If that had have gone on and the other NCO`S etc had found out they wouldve had the crap kicked out of them. It was a great camp and yes DID turn boys into men. Pity it wasn`t still going with NATIONAL SERVICE. It would sort out all the lazy wasters of today that DONT want to work, or the thugs mugging and thieving.

[@ivanbaxter5809]

+kevin grundy Totally agree kev. I was there in 74. But i was a steward in the wardroom.

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@JohnPanto]

I climbed that up to the half moon in 63 on my tod because I was in Colchester hospital when the rest of the rec went up.

[@malcolmstead272]

Even in the wind!

[@Hoveton9513]

Regretfully with to days health and safety you would not be able to go within 10m of the mast without having the correct PPE on, and to ascend the mast would require full fall protection harness, gloves, glasses, hard hat, and safety boots.

[@paulatkins499]

Surprised no one's got in and tried to climb it

[@mikeshaw8933]

My father and two of my younger brothers were at Ganges. I joined the Army!!!!😝

[@jamesfraser4173]

The orange juice arrangement was a nice tune to climb to.

[@richardporter2264]

My grandfather trained there in 1913 🙏

[@rogermills4959]

Oooh wow that brought a tear to my eye

[@johnhume8926]

I was there 61, Duncan 13, our PO was Jim Barker, a strapping 6'6" bearded man, but he was what he was supposed to be, a strict father, unlike his opposite number PO Campbell, I remember him kicking on lad in the stomach as he couldn't pull his oar correctly. But in the main, 99% were good instructors.. Met Jim Barker 50 years later on, still the same man, Thanks Jim. Regarding the training of Ganges, I spent over 30 years in retail (having been a proper Jack Dusty, rum and all) and upon being selected for a senior management interview for the Investors in People Award, I was asked what I thought of the training my organisation was giving. Simple, it was CRAP, but then I justified my answer by explaining that I was Ganges trained. We 'won' the award.Also watched Borstal Boys programe, what a bunch of girls, compered to our training, it was like being in a nursery, wimps. Happy (?) days

[@GLK-London]

Great memories John, thank you for sharing them.

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@NOTSOCOOLDUDE]

I was at Ganges in 61, 39 recruitment, if that button was 18" in diameter I'm Lady Gaga.

[@NOTSOCOOLDUDE]

I recall when I got to sew a propellor on my sleeve I thought I was the Bees Knees until I hit my first ship, then the lowest of the low.

[@tamar5261]

I was there in 72, been up to the half Moon many times.

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@marcbiff2192]

Bloody hell it's Dick Emery.

[@brain8484]

marc biff bit camp in that pale blue safari suit and high heels ..and the cap

[@jasonfernee2401]

Classic 70s fashion.

[@donjones5793]

146 1/4 foot high, I believe

[@njh-er1uc]

My arse was twitching watching that, TF i went to HMS Raleigh in torpoint when i joined up

[@daveberry9922]

i used to watch this as a kid in the sixtys

[@WELLBRAN]

My Dad was button boy around 1939-40

[@oliverreedslovechild]

My Dad was there from 8 Oct 1920 to 28 Oct 1921 as a boy signaller! He got as far as the crosstrees, but was never the button boy.

[@judithfurmston3731]

I don't know what year but I know my Grandad stood on the top.

[@keithg7254]

sadly the mast is in bits on the deck now.....most of Ganges has been torn down......was there in 76

[@GLK-London]

That's very sad to hear

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@rogueriderhood1862]

Most of the mast is still in place, you can see it on Google Earth.

[@CaptainNavman]

never ever had any sadistic anyone in the RAN

[@britenski9954]

I was there 1971 and witnessed no molesting just bullying, blood, extreme beating, scrubbing of one boy with hard bristle brushes as he was slightly retarded, nozzers kicked back in the pool as they couldn't do the two minutes in the deep end and lots more. Boy I would love to bump into that badge boy again even now, not a good start in life for any fifteen year old, but I guess they call that discipline. Sadism is the right word !

[@WELLBRAN]

my dad was there 1939 40 and looked back at it with a lot of affection even though when he got there first he felt like running away...but was bitter about being chucked out of the navy after the war due to injuries

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@khutt19]

I was there in 71,December till November I think it was. I ended up a badge boy , so maybe life was a bit better,but any mess punishment we had to do it also,so it did not make sense to me to get all the lads out of bed,put that rubber coat on top of pyjamas and go for a run up and down FHC ,but one of the other badge boys was a big irish lad and his mate a big geordie,they did it for fun,stupid,but I could not argue.They would not beat me,but they did others,they were crueler than the instructors.PT was a nightmare,not the training or exercises,but the kit ,blues or whites god help you if anybody had a mark or a wrong crease,many a lad I saw crying in pain doing squat thrusts I was very fit although small,but for sure there was unnecessary cruelty that just would not be accepted these days ,but once you went to the fleet and they knew you were a Ganges lad,they knew they were getting a lad thay could handle the pace.

[@clivehoseason1462]

I shinned up and touched the button 1962 50 recruitment keppel 1 mess i chickened out for the sitting on it..

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@stevefoley1021]

I was ganges boy 1968,Hawke div.

[@MartinIDavies]

so how does the button boy stand-up on the button? amazing

[@petesmuk]

Lightning conductor between the knees.

[@mrBobcaruana1956]

Any one from Blake 33 in 1956 ?

[@sandysanderson8588]

Rather you than me jack.

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@rfw700]

I’m pretty sure it’s Ravel’s Bolero.

[@maitaimik]

@@rfw700 Thanks for your suggestion. Although there is a resemblance, Ravel’s Bolero has a much more pronounced military tattoo drum beat. This music is something I have never heard before and I wonder if it is perhaps a naval composition, not having much commercial exposure.

[@hughgeeraerts738]

Bolero ????...." Westering Home" !!!

[@maitaimik]

@@hughgeeraerts738 - Hi Geeraets, I think you are very close, it could be a different arrangement -the nearest I found was "The Martial Music of Sir Vivian Dunn - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnbNfKBppsh6iqs. However in the video the tempo of the music is slower and more solemn. It has beautiful, almost funereal qualities. I do wish scapa6 would see this thread.

[@peckelhaze6934]

I have heard it in a movie a long time ago but cannot remeber what it was. Religous movie perhaps.

[@JohnPanto]

I did a year there and never heard or saw any sexual molesting taking place. Yes the PTI's were sadistic most of the time, but you are way out of line oppo

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Its not announced or in sight

[@maitaimik]

Can anyone please identify the background music for me ? It begins at 02:10

[@vaughanatkinson8421]

Faith, Hope and Charity ...the 3 staircases leading down, if you were there yo knew!!