In 1939, I joined the sea cadets
in the city of Kingston upon Hull and remained with them until I volunteered for
the Royal Navy on the 5/3/1942 and was released to unpaid reserve the same day. On
the 7/4/42 I received my calling up papers with a railway warrant to report to
H.M.S. GANGES, situated near Shotley in Suffolk. In peacetime, Ganges was a
training school for boys wishing to serve in the Royal Navy.
On reporting to the main gate, I was directed to a building where my naval uniform
and other equipment would be issued to me. The staff behind the counter asked
me the relevant questions, such as height, chest, and waist measurements, leg
length, size of boots and finally cap size.
I was issued with TWO of everything, the two blue uniforms, which were referred
to as Number Ones (best uniform) and Number twos (working uniform).
Two pair of overalls (for working party duties). Blue collars (2), Blue jerseys
(2) for winter wear, White shirts, the neck with blue edging (2) for summer
wear, 1 Lanyard, 1 knife, 1 money belt, underpants (2), vests (2), socks (2),
boots (2). Caps, one white the other black, & H.M.S.cap bands (2). 1 Silk
black band. 1 Topcoat (1) kit bag to put them in and finally a small brown
case to hold such items as shaving gear, sewing needles etc. I was issued
with two white uniforms (for tropical service), these were recalled at a
later date.