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My first sight of Gosport was in September 1950 when I , at Eighteen & a half was joining the Royal Navy as a Naval Airman, reporting to HMS Daedalus
at Lee-on-Solent to be kitted out and sign the dotted line. After a week or so we recruits left Hampshire to do our training at HMS Gamecock, Bramcote, Warwickshire. Could one get further
from the sea ?
Next view of Gosport when in early 1951 I joined HMS Vengeance in Portsmouth Dockyard. Remember as we sailed out of Portsmouth we passed our last Battleship HMS
Vanguard that was alongside at Railway Jetty. Looking down from the Vengeance flight deck thought this Battleship was rather small.
After VENGEANCE I was drafted to Lee for assessment to yet again go back to the midlands and GAMECOCK . On finishing my basic training in 1951 , as a Naval Airman
AIRFRAME I was drafted to HMS SISKIN . Royal Naval Air Station Gosport.
Firstly as on probation I joined the Aircraft Repair Section ( ARS ). Worked and leant my trade on Aircraft such as Sea Otter, Sea Hornet, Firefly and the rebuilding
of Tiger Moth biplanes that we formed into a University Air Squadron then under canvas Bell Tents we operated in the summer of 1951. I certainly learnt my trade from those wonderful Civilian
Riggers that worked at Gosport and they had worked fabric aircraft from the first world war through the second.
After that I was sent on a weeks course for conversion to work on Helicopters, joined 705 Squadron at Gosport. We started with just 4 Helicopters . When I left
Gosport in 1953 705 Sqdn had over 30 Helicopters. Dragonflies, Whirlwinds & Hillers.
While on 705 Sqdn at Gosport I saw and did many things. The Coronation Review. The Maiden Flight of the Short’s Princess down the Solent. The arrival of the
S.S. United States on her maiden voyage where she took the Blue Ribbon from the Queens. Flights along Southsea waving to the crowds. Rescue Work in Holland for the 1953 floods. Going to do
Air Shows around the country ( Helicopters at that time were a novelty ) being winched down to hang waving to the crowd like a Monkey on a String dressed as a Sailor.
The Gosport Airfield was a grass field that had a road dividing the living quarters from the Hangars and Workshops etc. The Barrack site had a small parade ground
surround by nice two story 4 mess blocks. The food in the 1950s at SISKIN was superb . Best I ever had in all my Naval Service. If Siskin Victualling Officer could do it on the same money then
the rest of my Naval Service I was being robbed by the Officers.
The Airfield stretched from Fort Rowner to Fort Grange. The RAF occupied one Fort. They were ATDU ( Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit) and flew twin engine Bristol
Brigand Sometimes if they did not crash them as they were known to. Recall a RAF Sergeant Master Pilot called Blood that was certainly very quick in getting out of a crash landing. The
other Fort was a Communication Center near the Railway Crossing. There was the School of Aircraft Handlers ( Fire Fighting , Handling and Driving ). I think 3 Hangars and one that had been
bombed during the war. Then there was a small Hangar that had been made into a Cinema and weekend Dance Hall , known as the Concert Hangar. Had great dances there every week with
those lovely girls from Gosport, Fareham etc bussing in.
Great memories of warm summer weather having the afternoon off after night duty walking down to Stokes Bay to swim & rest. Then sometimes having a night out for
a drink and a dance at the Tower Ballroom, at Lee. What happened to the Tower at Lee ?(Demolished in the late 60’s - Ian)
Memories of attending the Pitt Street Swimming Baths in Portsmouth during a morning then on the way back after the Ferry Crossing ( cost 2d old money ) awaiting
Naval Transport ( 3 ton Lorry or if lucky a Bus ) going down some steps into a Cafe right opposite the Ferry on the corner of the High Street. Great Cuppa and Bacon Sarnie. Thinking Gosport
High Street. Memories of a Monday Morning Bus ride back to camp, with steamed up windows passing St Georges Army Barracks, St. Vernon Boys going over their Mast. I’ll fly but that Mast put the
frighteners up me, and those poor young boys had to do it. The Railway Public House by the level crossing that had such good jazz music on a night out. Then there was a Forester Pub that I had
many a nice drink in.
Gosport was a wonderful Naval Town. It spoilt me. Having over two years there and being spoilt by the people, the hospitality and such a great naval air station as
Gosport. I thought all my Naval Service would be the same but I soon got a shock when I left Gosport for Yeovilton in late 1953. I did get back Gosport side till 1959 as Petty Officer Buffer at
Lee-on-Solent and still get an occasional visit as I have a Daughter-in-Law at Fareham.
Gosport is still my favourite place in the South though as a Londoner and now a Lincoln City resident I have split loyalties. Harold Tokins © 2005
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