The Dockyard Oyster
You have to love the humour that lies behind a sailor's terminology. Firstly, there is a set of 'standard' nicknames that go with surnames - Dusty Miller, Rusty Hinge and…
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27 February 2026
Ugly women
In a similar vein (WARNING - OFFENSIVE MATERIAL)... You've probably not come across ugly women, but matelots have particular language to suit. A Brown Bagger is one such term and…
27 February 2026
Uniform numbers
For some reason, RN uniforms are/ were numbered. Those that I was aware of (and can still remember!) were: No 5: one's 'best' uniform, worn on special occasions. Officially known…
27 February 2026
My Training in the Navy
I think that I was immensely privileged in my Naval training. The RN paid for me to go to university. It gave me training in workshop techniques and leadership. It…
27 February 2026
Life as a University Cadet
The MOD maintains a nice web site about the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. I joined the Navy whilst I was at university in London. Whilst I was up at…
27 February 2026
Leave Activities
During University holidays, we were assigned ‘leave activities’, but there was a deal of flexibility - if you really wanted to do somethiung, you could always ask.. I did a…
27 February 2026
The Formal letter
We were invited for a 'sports weekend' at Dartmouth during the summerterm of my first year. We played against the Dartmouth teams and were thoroughly trounced. On my return to…
27 February 2026