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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:
THIS COMMISSION
1976 - BY ONE MESS
Devonshire was rededicated in May, 1975 and although only Manny (the Canteen Manager) was on board at the time there are still members of the Ship's Company who were on board in 1976. 1 Mess tell the tale of 1976 which included some very good visits.
There are only four members remaining from the original crowd. Many new faces joining throughout the commission meant many joining and leaving barrels - the only good thing about trickle drafting!!
There have been only two Mess Presidents in the whole time which reflects on the well behaved and tolerant Mess members. They were CMEA(P) Paul Tullis and Dave Cook. Who says Clankies don't rule?
During Devonshire's stint in the Mediterranean (April/May, 1976) working with the NATO Naval on call Force, 1 Mess was instrumental in bringing together all the Chief Petty Officers of the force. A wing-ding of a do was held in Cagliari where true to the tradition of cooperation, the UK supplied the beer, the Italians the vino collapso and the USN/Turks the food. The language barrier was soon broken down helped by CREA Len Rodgers and an original version of Zulu Warrior.
The cold of Middlesbrough
(December, 1976) didn't do anything to the House of one old lady who we helped under the Age Concern scheme. She still writes asking for more Tricho to remove the paint from the carpet! When the interior decorators returned it was apparent that the walls of her house weren't the only thing plastered that day!
One of the most interesting periods of 1976 were the visits behind the iron Curtain to Odessa and Constanta in May/June followed by a visit to Halfa.
Visitors to the Mess have been many. They have ranked from CinCFLEET to a little old lady and man on holiday. The record for the most guests in one day is still held by someone who will remain anonymous, alias Cosmos Tours. Having invited two people back on board, 26 turned up after they had spread the buzz around their hotel.
Our wives have also enjoyed our hospitality with the Portsmouth socials being a highlight of our time in base port. Their ability to get on with one another has also helped the Mess when the ship is away.
Soon everyone will leave for other less frantic drafts where eight to four routine is the norm. Hopefully some of us will meet up again someday, perhaps on other ships.
To those who have already gone, best wishes. To those of us yet to go, get it down ya, while you have the chance.
1976 - BY ONE MESS
Devonshire was rededicated in May, 1975 and although only Manny (the Canteen Manager) was on board at the time there are still members of the Ship's Company who were on board in 1976. 1 Mess tell the tale of 1976 which included some very good visits.
There are only four members remaining from the original crowd. Many new faces joining throughout the commission meant many joining and leaving barrels - the only good thing about trickle drafting!!
There have been only two Mess Presidents in the whole time which reflects on the well behaved and tolerant Mess members. They were CMEA(P) Paul Tullis and Dave Cook. Who says Clankies don't rule?
During Devonshire's stint in the Mediterranean (April/May, 1976) working with the NATO Naval on call Force, 1 Mess was instrumental in bringing together all the Chief Petty Officers of the force. A wing-ding of a do was held in Cagliari where true to the tradition of cooperation, the UK supplied the beer, the Italians the vino collapso and the USN/Turks the food. The language barrier was soon broken down helped by CREA Len Rodgers and an original version of Zulu Warrior.
The cold of Middlesbrough
One of the most interesting periods of 1976 were the visits behind the iron Curtain to Odessa and Constanta in May/June followed by a visit to Halfa.
Visitors to the Mess have been many. They have ranked from CinCFLEET to a little old lady and man on holiday. The record for the most guests in one day is still held by someone who will remain anonymous, alias Cosmos Tours. Having invited two people back on board, 26 turned up after they had spread the buzz around their hotel.
Our wives have also enjoyed our hospitality with the Portsmouth socials being a highlight of our time in base port. Their ability to get on with one another has also helped the Mess when the ship is away.
Soon everyone will leave for other less frantic drafts where eight to four routine is the norm. Hopefully some of us will meet up again someday, perhaps on other ships.
To those who have already gone, best wishes. To those of us yet to go, get it down ya, while you have the chance.