Note that indivduals who served only as Chief Officer are not listed here. Their entries are here
Technical
staff were all serving or retired RN or MN personnel who wore uniform
and taught nautical subjects and sports, and who often had additional
duites as Divisional Officers.
As
with all military personnel it was commonplace for individuals to gain
nicknames. The number and range of a person’s nicknames were directly
proportional to the regard in which they were held so John Brooke-Smith
must have been highest in our affections. It is interesting how
perceptions of some longer-serving members of staff changed over the
years as their nicknames indicate. Members of staff are listed below by
name and nickname.
There are photos of many member so staff for whom I have no names.See them here. If you know any of them please email them to me.
Surname, Forenames
& (Nicknames)
Service
Photo
"Ag"
See Collins
na
ADLAM
At least 1953 Xmas Term Seamanship & Navigation Master.
Loaned by Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co (where he was a Chief Officer) to cover for Mr Siville then sick. He "carried out Mr Siville's duties very effectively during the greater part of the term an we appreciate the good work he did."
ANDERSON
Mr E
1955 Jan to Apr Navigation Instructor.
Maintop Divisional Officer.
Arrived on a 12 month secondment from Brocklebank Line but had to leave die to ill health.
He was to have married the daughter of Mr Nicholls the Chief Engineer.
The Centenary Edition of The Cadet page 54 says he was still serving as Instructor over Stbd Fore in 1889.
Previously served in the RN from 1863 to 1876 when he paid off from HMS Liverpool and joined Conway.
Fought in the Crimean War.
"A kindly man much liked
by all. Not withstanding hbis white hair and whiskers he could race any
of us to'gallent yardmen up aloft"
He was born in Buckfastleigh, Devon in 1833.
BAUCHAWITZ
John
At least 1946 to 1947
Subject not known.
Educated bangor University.
Anglicized his name after Conway to Bowers.
Joined Elder Dempster and later became a senior manager.
"Bert"
See Mandeville
na
"Bertie"
See Chipp
na
"Big Bill"
See Hutchinson
na
"Bill"
See Davies and Sewill
na
"Birdy"
See Burfitt
na
BLACKABY
Lt A W RN Rtd
1938 Jan to 1951 Aug Taught Navigation and Science.
Coach Athletics and Hockey teams.
Joined from King's School, Gloucetser.
BSc (Wales)
He became very attached to Conway
Called up to the RN as an Ordinary Seaman at Easter 1941. In late 1944 Blackaby was serving in the Kenya and Russell-Smith was in Howe and both were in Trincomallee, Ceylon at the same time.
Resigned to take up a post as Senior Science Master at Steyning Grammar School, West Sussex.
In 1946 the ship was
moored off Bangor Pier. Leslie travelled in her through to the new
mooring off Plas Newydd and was aboard again when she was wrecked on the
Platters.
After that, he remained on the staff for a further 4
years or so, maintaining the boilers that heated the huts, classrooms,
etc.
In 2010 aged 87 he donated collection of Conway artefacts to the
Greenwood Centre in Gwynedd. They were subsequnely donated to the
Friends of HMS Conway and in 2019 are on display in the Conway Centre.
1861 to at least
1890 Second Officer
1890 to ??? Purser.
A quiet officer not well regarded by
cadets, perhaps owing to his "wielding of the cane and birch".
Presented with a brass compass by the cadets on his retirement - photo here.
Cadets also presented him with a pair of binoculars that are now in private ownership on Ynys Mon.
Born Holingbourne, Hampshire.
He had been recommended for the Victoria Cross during the
Crimean War.
He crossed the bar in late 1893 or early 1894.
BROOKE-SMITH
John
Served as Divisional Officer for a few years, see his entry in Chief Officers
na
"Bullshit"
See Owen
na
"Bunt"
See Reid
na
BULLOCK
Mr L J
??? to 1974 Paying Off
Taught Nautical Stuidies
Master Mariner.
BURFITT Mr
(Birdy)
1st Apr 1908 to 1914 Jan Instructor 1914 Jan to 1917 Apr 30th War Service in the RN 1917 Mar 1stto 1934 Sep 28th Master At Arms
vice Tozer.
Retired from the RN as CPO in 1904.
Served in Akbar before Conway.
Called up on Mon Aug 3rd 1914. Appointed to the Kent and nivolved in the fight with Leipzig and Dresden at the Batte of the Falklands. Returned to Conway Jan 1917.
Bio on page 254/4 of the December 1917 The Cadet. Click here
He took great care to
develop the leadership skills of his cadet captains.
He joined Conway
from the REAN.
Occupied one of the staff flats in the New Block with his wife and two daughters.
His nickname was earned one evening divisions when he
announced to the assembled cadets that their “dhobi” (laundry) had been
delivered and was to be speedily cleared away. The cadets (other than
the large East African contingent) were slightly bemused by the term
and it naturally became his nickname.
Joined Geo Milne & Co's barque Inveramsay as midshipman but was called up in July 1914. When he served in the Cape Sqn, North Sea and Icelandic waters.
After
thje war joined White Star line. He is believed to be the youngest
person ever to achieve an extra masters certificate - at the age of 23.
See here.
In the late 1930s he commisioned the ship's carpenter to produce a
model of the ship, similar to the model the carpenter had made in 1932
for the King.
Left on Fleet mobilization. “I heard he had command
of a minesweeping flotilla on the East Coast and that he suffered a
complete mental breakdown.”
Joined RNR in 1940 and served as Seamanship Instructor at the Combined Operations School.
MiD for his work in Asdic trawlers.
"He was a very nice man who
was Second Officer and who suffered from a slight nervous affliction,
possibly a result of wartime experience, which was sometimes evident
when he took Divisions. The cadets, of course quickly latched on to
this abnormality, hence the words of the alternative Conway song."
DALE Brisbane Stephenson (Brizz)
1956 Summer to at least 1957 Supernumerary Officer - duties not known but see below.
The Cadet lists him as leaving in Jul 56 to "continue education elsewhere". He actually stayed after Jul 56 apparently as a "Supernumerary Officer". He was never mentioned as a formal member of staff but was still in Conway in Jul 57. His Record Sheet notes that he completed a special course in pure and applied maths and physics at A level. The Special Studies A Level class started in Jan 1956. Perhaps his extra time (Jul 56 to at least Jul 57) was actaully to do his A levels. He is not listed in any later Cadet Leavers lists in The Cadet. Awarded an Academic Extra Passing Out Certificate (the only one discovered to date).
DAVIDSON
Mr William West
(Boo Boo, Mighty Mouse, Mouse)
1961 May to 1974 Paying Off
Fxl Divisional Officer later Housemaster
Taught Nautical Studies
He
served his time in sail before joining Lord Line where he rose from 3rd
Officer to Chief Officer.
Conway cadet 1893 to 95 click here
Completed a two month torpedo course at Devonport in early 1910 when he was replaced by Mr B H Davies.
Called up on Sun Aug 2nd 1914. Appointed to the light cruiser Charybdis
around the UK coast and escorting transports from Canada. Returned as
Second Officer on 11th may 1915 by specail dispensation of the
Admiralty - Conway cadets needed training.
Short biography on page 252 of the
December 1917 The Cadet. Click here.
He
served his time in sail before joining Lord Line where he rose from 3rd
Officer to Chief Officer.
Completed a two month torpedo course at Devonport in early 1910 when he was replaced by Mr B H Davies.
Called up on Sun Aug 2nd 1914. Appointed to the light cruiser Charybdis
around the UK coast and escorting transports from Canada. Returned as
Second Officer on 11th May 1915 by special dispensation of the
Admiralty - Conway cadets needed training.
"One of the mainstays of Conway with an unfailing interest in all onboard and great cheerfulness."
1961 Jan to 63 May
Marching instructor amongst other things
Replaced Moore.
Joined from Whale Island.
Left at short notice but reason not known
"Hoppy"
See Lee
na
HOWARD-DAVIES
Lt Cdr Edward
(Slob)
1953 to 1974 Paying Off
1960 Hold Divisional Officer and Head of Sailing.
Later taught Nautical Studies.
Master Mariner.
He was responsible for the sail design of the GP Dingy
(Uffa Fix designed the hull) and owned sail number '1'.
Conway cadet 33-35. All cadet
records record his name as Davies with Howard as a Christian
name but as a member of staff he was always known as Howard-Davies.
HUNT
1859 - ????
Instructor
Father of George
HUNT
Mr George
(Tartar/Tartan, E Jarge)
1880 Mar to 1889 Instructor
1889 to ??? Gunner
??? -to1912 Captain's Clerk
1912 to 1916 Apr Appointment not known
Retired
due to ill health in April 1916 with 36 years service he is our longest
serving member of staff.
He became the fountain of knowledge about old boys.
"He had a singularly kind heart and was ever a good friend to the
weaker and younger boys."
Some
sources in The Cadet, including the obituary below, and letters misname
him as Hutchinson. His official cadet record sheet and all prospectuses
name him as Hutchison.
"Very much respected in my time. Held
himself very erect and probably used a little alcohol, totally
understandable. Have never forgotten him, but he was an enigma.” “
His
cap always looked way to big for him, great guy, but with demons.” “He
was hugely respected and I do not remember anyone ever saying a bad
word about him. I had several long discussions with him in my final
term, and although he was, as when you were there, sometimes challenged
by Johnny Walker, I have nothing but good recollections of his concern
and helpfulness.”
“He was a totally fair and honest man and personally
I respected him hugely. He was someone you could talk to or ask
questions of and as far as I was concerned he genuinely tried to help.”
“
He rode a large motor cycle and was addicted to a little whisky but I
have problems trying to think of any of the Conway masters of officers
of the time who one could class as "normal". They all appeared to have
a few problems or at least idiosyncrasies.” “
"I always had a high regard
for Hutch, he seemed a decent sort of chap. Never seemed to get hugely
worked up about things but when he said jump, you certainly jumped.”
“
He led the return trip on the yacht Flame in the summer of 1959 which
I was fortunate to be involved in. We joined her in Holy Loch and after
a day of familiarisation on the Clyde, we sailed back to the Menai
Strait via Arran, Stranraer, Laxey I.O.M. and Moelfre Bay. We
experienced strong winds and foggy calms, anchoring most evenings until
the next day. It was a terrific experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. I
think Hutch's brother came on the trip as well and possibly the English
teacher, but memory fades on who else was there – I wouldn't have
missed it for the world.” “
He had a strange walk, as if his arms were a
bit loose and too long for his liking, good for his motorbike though.”
Road a motor bike, a twin cylinder model.
Served in the Arctic Convoys to
Murmansk during WWII.
A small, frail, unassuming officer, with red hair, gammy legs and a limp.
San Demetrio, Londontells the story of his wartime exploits and how he managed to survive in the north Atlantic after being sunk.
Had a chest full of medals which he rarely bothered to ware.
"He
smoked like a chimney and turned a blind eye to us doing the same (and
loved for it). He was an officer who was well liked and immensely
respected. I believe he served, gallantly, in the Ohio during the Malta
Convoy as an apprentice. Initially he used to appear at Sunday
Divisions in an unadorned uniform, such was the man. Eric, on finding
out about his service record, ordered him to wear his decorations for
Sunday Divisions in the future. The following divisions, a very
embarrassed Logger duly appeared decorated with medal ribbons. They
stretched from lapel to armpit and shoulder to pocket top with a
civilian medal on the opposite side. The number of decorations far
eclipsed the rest of the officers (probably all together). If he had
actually worn his 'gongs', I am sure the poor man would have collapsed
under the weight.”
“He drove a mini cooper with a wide bore exhaust and after lining us up outside the Kelvin Block with our
semaphore flags he would roar off to Llanfair PG for a swift one. This
gave us smokers a chance to have a quick fag while he was away and the
noise of the exhaust could be heard long before he returned allowing us
to get back into line and carry on waving our flags about. After
leaving Conway he returned to sea with Shell on their coastal tankers
but his arthritis got the better of him.”
He crossed the bar in the early eighties.
"Jumper"
See Collins
na
KING
Lt G A B
(Gabby)
1952 Xmas Term to 1953 Aug.
Second Officer to replace Fowler
Coached the Bantams XV.
Onboard during the final transit of the ship in 1953 and was IC Stern Party.
Gabby because of his initials.
He was on loan from British Tankers
and a young man not a lot older than the older cadets which meant they
took to him in a special way.
He used to draw the most beautiful
cut-away drawings of ships. Click here.
1930 Sep to 1934 Third Officer, precise duties not known.
1934 to 1939
Second Officer
Taught Navigation
Assistant Games Master
1939 to 1946 Feb
Mobilised into the RN for wartime duties. Served
in several Armed merchant cruisers, then in April 1942 was appointed
Commodore East Coast Convoys. Later had command of HMS Duncansby Head
1946 Feb to Jul
Demobbed and returned as Second Officer
Father of our current Chaplain Simon Douglas-Lane.
"Laurie"
See Lawrence
na
LAWRENCE
Lt Cdr M H RN
(Laurie)
1929 Dec to 1955 Dec.
PTI vice Stacey
Promoted Third Officer
Later Second Officer
Taught Seamanship and Signalling
Master Mariner
“He used to enter the mess deck (at the
House), say nothing but start flashing away reciting his mantra of
"E-I-S-H-T-M-O" to get us into the swing of things. He was a great
character, a very amusing man and always very decent to us young
cadets.”
His valediction observed "He was part
of the old ship and had served in her at all her moorings. His
knowledge of her tradition and routine was only excelled by his deep
understanding of boys. He knew their good qualities and their
weaknesses through and through and though I never knew him punish a oy
for any misdemeanour he held their affection and respect and maintained
discipline through his understanding of them."
LE BESQUE
Mr I, E, M
1950 Jan to 1951 Jul
Second Officer.
Joined on secondment from the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co for a year.
Extra master mariner.
Organised many out of school activities.
“As we left the ship
for the last time in July 1951 in No 1, we all sang, 'He's my brother,
Le besque, got a row of forty medals on his chest, etc'. I think he was
a temporary officer on detachment, and believe he left soon
afterwards.”
He was appointed salvage officer of the wreck in 1953.
LE MESURIER
Lt Cdr V G RN
At least 1912 to 1914
1919 to Easter 1941 (latest)
Chief Engineering Instructor
Taught Science and Engineering
Married Miss Braithwaite of Leeds on 20th Dec 1912. Presented with a silver salver by the Management Committee "as a mark of their esteem and appreciation of his services", a convertable entre dish by his Osborne Class and a clock by the staff.
In late 1914 he volunteered and was posted to RN College Osborne as Eng
Lt RN (later Lt Cdr) in charge of the firth term cadets. He returned to
the ship in May 1919.
Retired due to ill health in 1941.
LEE
Mr Cyril Elton
(Tooley, Hoppy)
1916 May to 1917 Third
Officer
1917 to 1942 Acting 2nd Lt vice Douglas.
Taught unarmed combat and Seamanship
Later taught Gyro Compass and Meteorology
“Hoppy” Lee taught us seamanship, cargo stowage and so forth. With wheezing breath he instructed us in the intricacies of cargo
stowage as he heaved himself up and down the classroom."
Conway cadet 1899 - 1901.
Short biography of his sea time on page 252 of the
December 1917 The Cadet. Click here.
Rusian PoW for six months.
Left the sea in 1911 joining the Siamese Tin Syndicate erecting dredges for the recovery of tin and planted 700 acres of cocoanuts.
1913 Moved to Perak, Malay State to superintend the work of a large tin dredger there.
1913 Sep 1st married Gladys Battiscombe of Hereford.
In Oct 1914 an incident with a mooring wire severed his leg and was
forced to return to the UK after 3 mths in hospital. He was fitted with a wooden leg and walked with a
pronounced limp.
Was well liked.
Famous for pronunciation of ‘rhubarb’ as his
speech impediment made the word come out as "oobarb" , giving rise to cruel merriment at his expense
"Hoppy was a great chap and we were lucky to have someone from the age of sail to teach us seamanship."
Temporarily employed vice Hutchinson on secondment from A Holt & Co.
Old Worcester.
"Logger"
See Jones
na
"Loopy"
See Lane
na
LUMSDEN R P
1950 Sep to 1951 Sep
Second Officer
Coach Bantams XV.
Maintop Divisional Officer
Joined on secondment from the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co for a year.
Master Mariner
"Maggot"
See Tozer
na
MANDEVILLE R RN
(Bert)
1951 Aug to 1953 Apr
Technical Officer PTI
Left to take up an Admiralty appointment.
MAXWELL
John RN
(Blue Eyed John Polar Bear
1881 Oct to 1907 Sep
Taught Seamanship, Fencing & Cutlass Drill.
Polar Bear as he sported a fine long white beard.
RN man who served in Nile just before she was loaned as Conway.
"The finest hand at snooping the decks after rounds and turning one out for an hour on the main deck"
Retired to N Ireland to breed pigs and poultry.
Was alive an very hearty in his 90th birthday on 24th Apr 1935 by which
time he was living in Higher Tranmere. The photo right was on his 92nd
birthday. Obituary 1941 1
“Gunner
Mayne was probably the most energetic of all the POs. From him we
learned that Whale Island was the axle on which the British Royal Navy
revolved. Without it the RN would probably have foundered long before.
Everything he did was ‘on the double’. Consequently he expected that
everything we did should also be ‘on the double’ As our drill master he
taught us not only to march, salute, stand correctly, but also to have
pride in our accomplishments. I think that many of us learned from him
that, although tasks might sometimes be difficult, they are never
impossible. The Whale Island spirit lives on.”
“A splendid man and a true product of all that was best in the Royal Navy”
“He
was always on about ‘his Admiral’. “Guns, said the Admiral, Sink me
that ship” We were all amazed when, one day some Admiral came to
inspect us and, upon seeing Jacky, fell on him like a long lost
brother!! Perhaps all Jacky’s tales were true after all! He was a real
nut for spit and polish and quite made you feel that it might be
worthwhile. ‘Make an evolution of it!’ was another of his expressions.”
His father had worked the fighting top in Nile when she was in commission.
He retired to nurse his sick wife living in Portsmouth. Click here
McLEOD
Mr
(Ocka Jock)
Early 1960s to 1967
Master at Arms
He had been in a Sgt RAF in fast patrol
boats during the war and delighted in describing his antics.
“A very
blustery little character (vaguely reminiscent of the Scottish warder
in Porridge). Best known for the speed that he drove his Mini Cooper
around the estate. I had the dubious honour of being the last person he
put on Captain's Report (for smoking) before he collapsed and died
(1964?). Well, at least he got the satisfaction of seeing me dis-rated
before he went.”
He joined Abram
Lyle & Sons and rose to First Officer with the White Star Line. For
three years prior to re-joining Conway he had been Chief Officer in
Beaver Line. On appointment he asked for the defaulters list to be
cleared so that "all might start fair".
A keen Merseyside sailor in his yacht Cariadclick here
At least 1949 to 1961 Jan (12 years service by 1961)
Petty Officer.
1960 Fxl Divisional Officer in the House.
Taught Signals, Seamanship and Shooting.
His shooting team lost only four matches in 12 years.
"Great
on knots and rope work. ‘A bit of rope or a bit of wire wivout a
whipping is like a woman wivout a whatname’ he used to tell us."
“He lived in the Plas
Newydd block and had his wife and a DAUGHTER! I even remember her name
Thelma who he kept very much on a tight leash”.
"Both he and Jacky had
more medal ribbons on their chests than would fit while poor old
Brookie only had one.”
“Ernie was perhaps the most colourful, certainly
in his use of language. My first memory of Ernie was when he told us
that we were not allowed to have sheath knives with points on. It was
apparently against the ship’s regulations. This was immediately
followed by a warning that, if any of us were so unsailor-like as to
spoil one of a sailor’s most important tools by breaking the tip off a
knife, we would have him to answer to. In seamanship class one day he
was teaching us how to rig sheer-legs. We had lashed the two spars
together at the head and his words were, ‘Now then, pretend it’s your
girl, grab the legs and pull them apart.’ Another day, as the pinnace
was coming alongside the gangway in fairly heavy weather, the bow man
was having a great deal of trouble in picking up the mooring wire with
the boathook. Ernie, who was O.O.W. leaned over the top of the gangway
and in his nice London accent said, ‘Come on my son, your mother might
have waited nine bleeding months for you but I’m not going to’. To many
cadets though, Ernie and his wife were father and mother figures. I
spent a week in Bangor hospital at one time and Ernie and Mrs. Moore
made a point of visiting on at least a couple of occasions.”
"A wise counsellor."
His wife "was always in demand
as make up artist and mistress of the wardrobe in all our plays. The
costumes that emerged from her nimble fingers were always much
admired."
Part of his wartime service as a leading Seaman in the RN is described in the book “Escape
From Hong Kong” by Tim Luard published in 2012. He was part of a large
group that escaped from Hong Kong. The escapees walked and hitched to
Rangoon through the Chinese mainland led by a one legged Chinese
Admiral, Chan Chak. Some later went on to India just prior to the
Japanese invasion of Burma. Extract from the book and photo here Click here.
He and his wife retired to Leicestershire where he joined the Corps of Commissionaires.
MORGAN
D E
??? to 1974 Paying Off
Taught Technical Drawing
"Mouse"
See Davidson
na
MURPHY
P P
(Spud / The Sheriff)
At least 1944 (the photo is taken on the Upper Deck!) to 1964 May
Taught Navigation “Oh he of perfect circles”
Editor of The Cadet throughout his employment.
The Sheriff – because he was in 1960 the Mayor of Beaumaris which he pronounced "B.E.A.U. (pause) Maris"
“Great sense of
humour"
He had
an ancient car which he called Snowball
He was one of the very few
who held an extra masters ticket in both steam and sail.
1941 Easter to 1959 Oct
I/C fuel for the boats and taught ship construction.
Promoted Chief Engineer.
Was re-employed ??? to 1963 Oct.
An engineer who joined from Blue Funnel to replace Mr Le Mesurier.
MI Mar E
“In 1951-2 I
remember that the band at 'divisions' would play the tune Charley Nick as we
marched away. The words of the song formed the opening lines of his
dictated notes for his first lecture. The words were something like:
Up to thirty years ago
Ships' machinery consisted mainly
Of triple expansion engines
Which rarely used to go.
Chase me Charlie, Chase me Charlie
Tighten up the bolts
Chase me Charlie, Chase me Charlie
Join the Alfred Holts.”
"Charlie was well liked and told us he had been gassed in WW1 and torpedoed in WW2. He used to say 'Gott im Himmell ' a lot."
After Conway he joined Hillgrove School, Bangor as a sports master and introduced them to rugby.
At least 1949 to 1961 Aug
Taught Rowing, Signals
and Seamanship.
Foretop and Maintop Divisional Officer in the House.
A much liked Petty Officer
“Taught me all I knew about sailing".
"Sometimes was
called “Way Ho – Jay Ho” with all the sing song of the Welsh accent.
When he wanted to locate some cadet on board he used to hail down the
main hatch, “ Way Ho – Smith or whatever” whereupon the whole ship
would shout back, “Way Ho – Jay Ho!”
"John Oliver was the quietest of
the three POs. His lilting Welsh accent was always controlled and he
never seemed to have to raise his voice much at all. For a couple of
terms he was my divisional officer and I found him to be very
considerate and thoughtful. The other thing that I remember about him
was that his initials JO, and the way he wrote them, were extremely
easy to forge. This was a great benefit when one needed a note or a
textbook label initialised by your divisional officer. Something I took
advantage of on a couple of occasions.” In the last 10 years of his
life he ran the cafe at PD."
Had a bout of sickness in 1953 missing a lot of the Summer and Xmas terms.
Might have gone back to sea after Conway.
"Ollie"
See Ollerton
na
OLLERTON
Mr A R
(Ollie)
At least 1959 to 1971 Summer
Fxl Divisional Officer until approx 1961 when Mr Davidson was employed.
He always wore a real
flat-as-a-plate white cap which looked too big for his thin face and
head.
Rode a BSA bantam motor bike.
Awarded the MN Medal in 2011 for services to merchant shipping and maritime education.
1956 Jan to 1970 Aug
Taught navigation
Foretop Divisional Officer
Wah Wah and Yaah because of the way he spoke.
“He had the most remarkable way of pronouncing horizon, making it sound more like ‘horry zon’ ”.
“I was in charge of the
dock one day when the phone rang. I picked it up and said, ‘Yahaa! Lt.
Cdr. Parry here’ in excellent imitation of him. The reply came back,
‘That’s damned funny! Lt. Cdr Parry here, too’. And it was! I put the
phone down, and started worrying. By the time I saw him later in the
day he just gave me a long hard look. Another good sport!”
“Parry did have a sense
of humour alright, I went out the back gate one day and donned my
yellow jumper and blue jeans to meet my girl friend. We went into
Bangor, collected her dog and went for a walk. Blow me away Parry
walked up the main street towards me. He looked me in the eye and he
turned away up a lane way very quickly, I went the other way up another
street, I thought that’s it, I’m a goner! Monday morning in class he
bounced in and drew his hankie from his sleeve and asked whether we had
all had a good weekend. He said the weather was lovely, ideal for
taking one’s dog for a walk. He looked at me and that was it. Everyone
else thought he was off his trolley.”
"An outstanding
personality and quite a terror to evil doers. All the same he was a
good sort and his bark was worse than his bite. He had to be strict
and, after all is said and done, discipline is the finest training any
boy or man can have. When public thrashings were ordered he had to do
the needfull."
"A very red faced man."
(Potter-Oots)
See Potter
na
PRIESTLEY
Thomas
(Tom)
Late 1880s and 90s
Instructor
"Quack"
See Potter
na
"Quacko"
See Potter
na
"Reg"
See Parry
na
REID
Leonard
(Bunt)
1915 Feb to 1935
Seaman Instructor then Signals Officer finally Senior Instructor
1939 - ??? Returned for wartime service as Signal Instructor vice Whetham
In Oct 1915 he was on active service as a wireless operator in the armed trawler Lily Melling
SIVELL / SIVILLE / SEWILL
A L
(Bill, Dickie)
1943 to 1953
Seamanship & Navigation Master
Also taught Meteorology and Gyro Compass
Master Mariner
Founder of the Ship's Ornithological Society
"Very quiet chap. Much liked and respected. I think that
he was minus one lung due to being torpedoed on a tanker in the North
Atlantic"
"His interest in his vocation has been inspiration to us all"
Struggled with increasing ill health in Xmas Term 1952 during which Mr Adlam was seconded to stand in his place. "Had to return for an operation" late in 1952. He died on 3rd March 1953 after a protracted illness.
1952 to 1959
PTI and
would also cut hair on Saturday morning for a bob!
Known originally as Charlie but renamed Winkle after the loss of the ship. “When we salvaged the sea chests
from on board we had to empty them and hose them out. ‘Get ‘em good and
clean. We don’t want to find no winkles in there.’ ”
“He had a cheerful
sadistic streak using the tannoy, ‘Wakey, wakey, rise and shine, middle
of the day and the sun's burning your bleeding eyes out!’ This at Zero
Crack Sparrow Fart on a January morning with the horizontal sleet
coming down the Straits and we had to do the morning run from the House
up to the Figurehead before having a shower!”
Was serving in Ark Royal
when she was sunk in November 1941 while accompanying a Malta convoy.
Resignation notice, forced to resign by staff cuts. Obituary 1941
"Taffy"
See Oliver
na
"The Tartar"
See Hunt G
na
"Tartan"
See Hunt G
na
THOMAS
David W B
(The Gonk)
1964 Sep to 1970 Aug
Taught Navigation
Later Nautical Studies
A short, round man with a dark beard so he quickly
gained the nickname of the 60’s children’s TV characters. A small knitted and well stuffed gonk became the 1st XVs
mascot.
Replaced Spud Murphy.
He had the unnerving habit of bursting into Senior Cadet
Captain's cabins, without knocking, on his duty day. This was until the
senior rate of Foretop devised the "Anti-Gonk Device". This was simply
reversing the door hands to 'Lift to Open'. "The device did not stop his
unannounced invasions but by frequently reversing the door handles at
least it gave us a 50/50 chance of defeating the incursions.”
“I
remember he suffered from chronic dandruff and his uniforms always
seemed ill-fitting. He was a terror for ensuring we were always smartly
turned out!”
Resigned to move back to London with his wife and two girls.
THROWER
Mr
1914
Instructor
Called up on Mon Aug 3rd 1914. Appointed to the Vernon torpedo school
"Tom"
See Priestley
na
"Tooley"
See Lee
na
TOZER
William J
(Doggy, Maggot)
1888 May 1st to 1893 Apr 30th
Instructor teaching astronomy and navigation
1893-to 1914 Jan
Master at Arms
1914 Jan to 1924 Apr 30th Gunner
Joined Conway having been invalided out of the RN as Chief PO. He held the Egypt Medal and the Khedive's Star.
Gave Conway 36 years of service.
As
Gunner his duties included physical drill, gymnasium and boxing
instruction.
His "former experience in the RN has given
to the ship an expert instructor in that increasingly important subject
signalling, in its various branches".