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This story has been entered into the People’s War Website on behalf of Betty Hockley with her permission and she is in full agreement to the terms and conditions of the Website.

I ran a Southern Command Concert Party for the Forces during WW2, clocking up well over 1,000 voluntary shows prior to ‘D’ Day and carrying on until 1948 when TV was making it’s mark with theatre dying etc.. when we went out on ‘a high note’/

Since then I have kept in tune with the Forces in general visiting them from time to time with various Regiments, Ships etc. This is a very long standing relationship and I am afraid I have been very spoilt especially by the Royal Navy.

Over the past many years I have taken Veterans by coach to visit many Regiments, and the Warships. The last one a couple of days ago when we visited Blandford Camp and received a great welcome for the whole day. First a briefing over coffee by the C.O. Then on to the Parade Ground where the Sergeant Major had fun TRYING to get them to march which they did splendidly after only five minutes of hid BULLYING. Then a group photograph which we all received by the time we left the Camp at around 15.30 hours.

They were hosted to lunch with the soldiers in the canteen and ably attended by some 10 Rookies and a couple of sergeants and corporals.

We watched an Assault course programme and watched the latest film of the Royal Signals Regiment which was very thrilling and quite an enlighten to the Vets since their days in the Forces. WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

The highlight must surely be the dancing of the Gurkhas with their kookeries. Considering they wear army boots, it was difficult to see how very light on the feet they were. Most lovable fellows too. This was a show given in the splendid NAAFI Theatre. Then they were allowed to fire the guns in the simulator. So much in one day. We were very, very spoilt I fear to have had such a privilege. Then a cuppa in the WRVS before leaving. They left no stone unturned to make us feel welcome. And the SSM who organised the whole programme did a great job most admired by all.

The Veteran Group consists of NVA Army Navy and Air Forces Vets.. Police, Queen Alexandra Nurse Burma Star, the Wrens and such like and a great group they are.

Oh dear I seem to have strayed from the point, but it better you have the background I suppose.

Now to the point. We are to visit HMS ILLUSTRIOUS on 27 September. Guess they will be very much spoilt too if I know anything about the Navy hospitality. I have privileged to have what I term ‘my Ships’, which I visit personally from time to time and even go to sea on some of them. If you think anything of this story perhaps you had better check with Captain Bob Cooling to see if he is agreeable, then why not visit with us? I am sure he would welcome you.

The personnel on these ships are no strangers to me, they are FRIENDS. I value their friendship and what they do for me which includes ILLUSTRIOUS welcoming my Group of Veterans.

I am now approaching 90 years of age, so this could well be the last visit to the Ship as she is shortly off on deployment for a few months… That is why I have emerged from my hole to let you know what I have been busy doing over these last few years.

If you need more information then do please feel free to ask. I do not BITE.

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