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- Devonshire's Last Commission 1976 - 78
Devonshire's Last Commission 1976 - 78
- By Robby G
- Published 05/18/2008
- HMS Devonshire
-
Rating:
THE GOLLIES'
At times like this something significant, maybe poignant, certainly witty, ought to be written after 18 years of a sub -department's existence. Well it's not easy to meet any of these criteria unless your name happens to be Muir or Norden and even then they would lack the necessary background knowledge . . . one assumes!
It is difficult to sum up the last 18 years of EW in Devonshire except to say that the main change in this period has been in the personnel.
The young EW rating of today is at an overall higher level of operational ability and knowledge than his counterpart 18 years ago. This is not to criticise those pioneering 'Gollies' but to indicate that things have improved both in shore training and ship
operation. Today the 'Golly' is more confident in his equipment and not so hang dog in outlook.
Hand in hand with this there is a much greater understanding and appreciation of the 'Golly' and his role. Perhaps this has taken too long but with the next generation of equipment and the entry, at last, of the 'Golly' into the Operations Room things can only keep on improving.
To all 'Gollies' (remember how that nickname used to stick in the gullet of many . . . ) who have served in Devonshire, we say thanks for all your past efforts.
Finally, if any of you come across a gibbering, greying, prematurely aged gent mumbling on about once being an EW maintainer, please buy him a pint - for without his help over the years the 'Gollies' would be in a sorry state.
At times like this something significant, maybe poignant, certainly witty, ought to be written after 18 years of a sub -department's existence. Well it's not easy to meet any of these criteria unless your name happens to be Muir or Norden and even then they would lack the necessary background knowledge . . . one assumes!
It is difficult to sum up the last 18 years of EW in Devonshire except to say that the main change in this period has been in the personnel.
The young EW rating of today is at an overall higher level of operational ability and knowledge than his counterpart 18 years ago. This is not to criticise those pioneering 'Gollies' but to indicate that things have improved both in shore training and ship
Hand in hand with this there is a much greater understanding and appreciation of the 'Golly' and his role. Perhaps this has taken too long but with the next generation of equipment and the entry, at last, of the 'Golly' into the Operations Room things can only keep on improving.
To all 'Gollies' (remember how that nickname used to stick in the gullet of many . . . ) who have served in Devonshire, we say thanks for all your past efforts. Finally, if any of you come across a gibbering, greying, prematurely aged gent mumbling on about once being an EW maintainer, please buy him a pint - for without his help over the years the 'Gollies' would be in a sorry state.