- Contributed by听
- culture_durham
- People in story:听
- John Thirlaway
- Location of story:听
- Lee on Solent
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A4080584
- Contributed on:听
- 17 May 2005
I joined the Navy in Dec 1942 and after training I ws posted via Portsmouth to a Fleet AirArm station HMS Daedalus at Lee on Solent where I joined the staff at the Admiral's office. Every Monday there was a church parade complete with a Royal marine band and as I was the newest member I had to distribute the hymn cards. There must have been between 150 and 200 WRNS on parade and I started to go along the lines giving out the hymn cards when the WRNS officer shouted to stop wasting time and give a bunch to the line and ask them to pass them along. When I had done this I realised I had only 3 cards left and the Admiral and his officers were standing on the steps waiting so I went to him and said
"Can you share them?"
He thanked me and laughed, however after the parade the Chief Petty officer gave me a right roasting. Whenever I saw the Admiral after this he always spoke and made a joke about my hymn cards, this did not please the CPO so it ws shortly after this I received a posting to the Far East where I served from '43 to '46 and was demobbed in Jan '47. I often wonder how many ex WRNS fron the Admiral's office at HMS Daedalus are still around.
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