Reminisce with other members (From Gazette Series)

Reminisce with other members

SIR - I wonder if any readers spent Christmas at the huge Royal Navy shore establishment just outside Portsmouth called HMS Collingwood.

There have been a lot of Christmases since it opened its gates on January 10, 1940. This is when hundreds of men volunteered for serving in the Royal Nay 'for the duration of the present conflict', which is how Hostilities Only ratings were termed. We have lots of "H Os" in the association who have met at reunions and compared times up to the present.

We also have lots of electrical, radio and radar ratings as well and would welcome any story relating to Christmas spent at HMS Collingwood for inclusion of our association newsletter.

Even if you didn't serve at HMS Collingwood at Christmas (I am one who joined after one Christmas in the 1950s and left for my ship before the next one), then we would like to welcome you into the Association and join us at our reunions. HMS Collingwood is still there at Fareham and we would welcome anyone who has served there at any time, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980 and 1990s, ratings, wrens, staff, NAAFI staff and to give you an example of how we welcome members, we have a civilian who used to maintain the boilers and steam plants!

For details of the association and our next reunion in May, send a couple of second class stamps (to help the association funds) to me at the address below. Please, if you are sending self adhesive stamps, please leave them on the backing paper and do not stick them onto your letter as they cannot be removed. Michael 'Mike' Crowe

Membership Secretary HMS Collingwood Association 7 Heath Road Lake, Sandown Isle of Wight