Many years ago my brother, Stephen Clifford was a member of Hove Sea Cadets before joining the Royal Navy. My father, Cyril ‘Taffy’ Clifford, became an instructor in the cadets too and had the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He also taught shooting at the Territorial Army Rifle Range in Dyke Road, Hove. The photograph here was taken when my father was an instructor and there are many familiar faces – cannot remember many names though unfortunately. The vagaries of an unreliable memory and the effects of ageing – ho hum.
Mutual friends in the Sea Cadets
I recently spent a short holiday in Spain, staying with the mother and step-father of a close friend. I have known Doug and Rose for many years, through my friendship with their son Dan but I had not realized that Doug lived in Hove for many years – whilst talking about Hove and Doug having served in the Navy, we discovered that he was in Hove Sea Cadets as well, although probably a little earlier than my brother and father.
A small world!
Gordon Hayward was a good friend of my father and taught the cadets for many years. My father and I visited him and his family, and I remember going to their home in Hailsham – when there was still a railway running there. Doug also remembers Andy Hiscock and I know him not only from the cadets, but because he is my cousin! What a small world. Sadly, this story has a down side as my brother died nearly three years ago. I so wish I had spoken to Doug long ago and found the connection. I could have asked my brother for more information, and perhaps put them in touch with one another as they served at some of same places in the Navy too.
Happy memories
I have lots of memories of those days. Of going to the Saturday bingo and helping with the raffle. I remember the wonderful band contests at HMS Collingwood, followed by a visit to the funfair at Southsea. I also recall going to the Boat Show in London and going out to sea on the MTB (Motor Torpedo Boat). We once went on a visit to an old submarine berthed in Shoreham Harbour and, of course, going on board HMS Sussex.
My trip down memory lane
A few names come back to me – Ian Dare and his wife Rene – who lived in Saltdean latterly – lovely people. John Naylor and others who were training in the cadets. I recall faces more than names but perhaps someone out there can help jog my memory more than I have managed so far. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers the cadets in the 1950/60s, and any photos would be marvellous. I hope my trip down ‘memory lane’ may bring back memories for others too.
Comments about this page
I remember being in a queue for what seemed like all day to get on that submarine in Shoreham harbour. For whatever reason we didn’t manage to get on it, but some time later I joined the Royal Navy and spent seventeen years in the Submarine Service. Perhaps if I had suceeded in getting on board the first time things may have turned out differently. Would I have wanted that ? No, most definately not! If my memory serves me correctly, that submarine was the one involved in releasing a prepared corpse into enemy waters, as part of an intelligence plan to fool the enemy as to the location of the Normandy Invasion. There was a film made of this called ‘The man that never was’.
Does anyone remember the Curzon that used to be moored in Shoreham? I think that it sank in a storm, am I right? Also does anyone remember Mr. Alex Dare? I think that he was engaged in some way with the sea cadets in Hove.
HMS Curzon was the Sea Tender for the Sussex Division RNR and was moored at Maxwell’s Wharf in Shoreham Harbour. She was sunk following a collision with another warship during an Annual Sea Training Exercise, one of four held annually. If I had not migrated to Australia in 1973, it is possible I would have been on HMS Curzon at that time. I spent many happy years in the RNR.
I think Mick Peirson might mean Ian Dare, he was an instructor in Hove Sea Cadets. In the front row of the photo, he is 2nd right from the man in the civilian suit, starting from the left that is! Ian was a lovely man and I knew him and his wife Rene quite well. Ian sadly died some years ago and I lost touch once my father died. I too remember the Curzon – thank you so much for jogging my memory – I was trying to recall the name. I didn’t know she sank – what a shame. Thanks too for the reminder about the submarine – I think Dave is right about the connection to the ‘Man that never was’. I would love to know if anyone else can remember the names of anyone in the photo or has any other memories. I know that the couple in the front row, on the right, used to be very involved with running the bingo evenings which were held every Saturday night in a hall somewhere near Hove Station. I am pretty sure the man’s name was Cyril but all else is hidden in the mists of time! I used to go to the bingo regularly and helped a lovely older lady with the raffle. Afterwards, my father, Cyril, his wife and I, used to go to The Maytree on Old Shoreham Road, Hove and play Russian Billiards. Another favourite haunt of both ratings and officers was The Connaught in Hove Street. I should add that my father, Cyril (Taffy) Clifford is also in the front row of the photo above – of the 5 officer/instructors he is the last on the right. The Commanding Officer is in the middle of that group. There are a lot of familiar faces but I knew most of them a bit later than the date of the photo. I do recall John Naylor though, he is the very tall rating on the right. He was a great guy and I remember going on the back of his scooter. He was a very popular cadet and rightly so.
Well, well – memories from the past! I was in Hove Sea Cadets from 1955 until about 1962 as a cadet PO. In 1961 I joined HMS Sussex RNR as a JRO and spent the next ten fabulous years there until 1970 when I emigrated to Australia (I now live in Brisbane). (By the way, the CO of the cadets was Lt Cdr Harvey – who incidentally was the store manager of the Co-op in London Road, Brighton). As for HMS Curzon (Fittleton M1136) – after having spent many a weekend and annual 14-day training in her, it was a really sad day when she went to the bottom with the unfortunate loss of life. The annual rememberance service at the village of Fittleton keeps the memory alive. I guess we are all getting older (I cannot get any greyer!). Best wishes to all the “old” cadets including Andy Hiscock (how well I remember him and messing about in boats at Maxwells Wharf). Best regards.
By the way, the Co’s No 1 was Lt Haywood I seem to remember. In civilian life he was a toolmaker at Kearney and Trecker. Funny how memories – names and faces – come back to one when one thinks about them, but for the life of me I cannot remember the name of the officer – fifth from the left, other than that he rose from being a cadet. I think he was also the winner of the Cornwell Medal, named after Boy Conwell VC of Battle of Jutland fame.
Thanks Martin – Lt Cdr Harvey – of course it was. The name was ‘on the tip of my tongue’ as the saying goes – just couldn’t make the final connection. I will pass on your best wishes to Andy when I write.
I must thank Helen McDiarmid for jogging my memory for me about HMS Curzon and the name of Ian Dare. I was a bit confused (deterioration of the grey matter). I think that his son was called Alex. Of course I did not look at the photo properly the last time, although I had a picture of Ian in my mind’s eye. On looking at the photo again I recognised him straight away – just as I remember him, looking as jovial as ever. He was always laughing. I was sad to hear that he had died. He and his wife and son were neighbours of my family in Bennett Road in the late 50s. They were a lovely family. I used to babysit for them when they went out. I think that they moved to Southwick or Shoreham. When Ian moved he left me his old car, a Morris 8, which I loved. It was also a big feather in my cap at 15 years old as a courting place, and for me and my mates to just sit in. Best wishes.
Thought Mick Peirson might like to know that Ian Dare and family lived in Portslade for some years during the 60’s- north of Benfield Way, up towards the Golf course and Hangleton. The name of the road escapes me. They later moved to Saltdean where Rene was still living some few years ago. They were indeed a lovely family. What a small world it can be – glad you too have such happy memories of them. That’s how people live on isn’t it?
I am so glad to see memories from those involved with Hove Unit. I joined in the early 1970s with Lt Cdr Harvey as CO, Lt Gordon Hayward as 1st Lt, S/Lt Ian Dare was an Instructor as was CPO Roberton. Robbie went on to become the Office In Charge when the Unit hit a low point. Later on my father, John Heward, joined as a Civilian Instructor and my mother joined the PFA along with Joan Kite and others. John later became Commanding Officer and my mother also became Commanding Officer in the 1990s being one of the first female COs in the Corps. I left the Cadets at 16 to join the RN as a sparker at HMS Ganges. I returned in 1981 and joined as a Petty Officer. Like my parents, I later went on to become Commanding Officer. I am still actively involved with the Unit as the fundraiser on the Unit Management Commitee. I would love to hear from any ex Cadets as 2007 is the 65th anniversary of the Unit and we are hoping to hold a reunion. Please contact me at paul_heward@hotmail.com if you would like details etc.
I have been in contact with another ex sea cadet who tells me that the Cornwell Medal winner (mentioned by Martin White) was an officer named Mitchell. The same person says he remembers that Martin was an excellent swimmer.
As an addendum to some of the items mentioned above regarding the RNR and RNVR and HMS Curzon – I have been looking for early references to the station by the King Alfred in a recently acquired a copy of Towner’s Directory for 1908/9. I found the Royall Naval Volunteer Reserve listed with HQ at 5 Victoria Terrace, Hove (possibly part of Medina Esplanade, or very near it) and was very interested to see the the Commanding Officer was The Right Hon. Viscount Curzon R.N.V.R.
Hello Helen – you might be interested to know of a book “Sussex Sunday Sailors by the Sea” a history of the Royal Naval Reserve in Sussex between 1874 and 1974 produced in 1977 by Lt.Cdr R H Dingwall and printed by Hasting Printing Company. A slim volume but with lots of information.
I was in the Hove Sea Cadets from 1951 to 1955. I am pushed for time at the moment but I would love to contribute stories and photos to your 2007 project.
One thing I would love to tell you is that I recently met one of my old (cadet) ship mates after 50 years, his name is Mike Watkins. I remember the night he joined with four other cadets in the early fifties. I now live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, coaching soccer. A couple of years ago I was conducting a football clinic on Bribie Island (Sunshine Coast) when I got in a conversation with the local club secretary about where about in England I came from. When I said Hove, she said that her husband came from Hove and his name was Mike Watkins, did I know him? I replied, “only if he was in the Hove Sea Cadets!” Well it turned out to be the same Mike and so a few weeks later I got to meet him and I would never have recognised him. When I knew him, his voice hadn’t broken, he was six inches taller than me and a bit portly. He is a couple of years older than me and now I can look him straight in the eye. His memory isn’t so good and I don’t think he can recall much, but I have a photo of him taken at Hove Station in the 50s and I remember we both played in the Hove Sea Cadet football team. I can remember CPO ‘Gus’ Hayward very well. One evening he was taking us for rifle drill and barking out his orders, when his teeth flew out of his mouth onto the parade ground. I don’t know how we didn’t break up! But to his credit, Gus quickly picked them up, wiped them, snapped to attention and barked out the next order! He was a great officer who loved every minute of what he was doing and I admired him a great deal.
Just to let everyone know that the Unit is forming an ex Hove Sea Cadets Association linked to the PFA. We are also planning a reunion probably in November of this year to mark the 65th anniversary. Anybody interested in joining or attending the reunion, please contact me.
The 65th Anniversary Reunion will be held at the Bishop Hannington Lounge, Holmes Avenue Hove on Saturday 24th November starting at 19:00. For further details, please contact 07764 354200 or email exhove_seacadets@hotmail.co.uk The ex Hove Sea Cadets Association now has branches in Australia (rep Keith Upward) and Cyprus (rep Nobby Hall). It is hoped to have a new branch in Canada shortly.
I was delighted to find the picture on the website and the familiar faces from over 40 years ago. Sad to learn that Lt Dare had passed away, he was a very special man, as were all of the officers and instructors who gave their time to us. Helen, did your father ever tell you about the night he got shot in the leg? Before we went to Dyke Road we used to use a “range” under the building at King Alfred for .22 shooting, I do beleive it was the famous “Naylor” that fired the round accidentally, but I could be wrong! My mate Peter McKeown and I went on to join the MN at Shell Tankers, as did Trevor Cox. I am still in touch with “Mac”, he is a ship’s pilot in Melbourne. Before we left he was the L/S for starboard watch (Lt Mitchell) and I had “port” under Lt Dare. We moved to the USA in 78 and now live in Charleston SC. Will definitely be in touch regarding the “old boys” association.
Thanks to Terry for his comments. Yes I remember the night Dad got shot in the leg very well. It wasn’t John Naylor though – unless my memory is being even less reliable than normal. I remember Dad coming home and being supported indoors as he couldn’t put any weight on the injured limb. He was off work for over 6 months and always had a slight limp afterwards as the bullet went through his knee. Boy was he chagrinned! He went all through the war with nothing much worse than gingivitus and gets shot in Hove . He said it was colpletely his own fault as the rifle in question jammed and he stood in front of it! Oh dear – broke the golden rule. Do you remember him being offered one of those tiny, round, sticking plasters by one of the younger cadets – I cannot remember his name now. I remember Peter I think – was he in the band and lived in or near Carden Avenue? Thanks for the memories Terry and hope to see you at the re-union if I can make it.
Oops ! Sorry Terry – just noticed you are in the good old U S of A now (a nice part of it too) so don’t expect you will be at the reunion after all – realize now you referrred to the ‘old boys’ association and not the reunion. The vagaries of age and all that. Apollogies.
I have to firstly correct myself – yet again, and apologize for calling Dick Naylor, John – for the second time. I must have been away with the fairies when I repeated my error.
I have just attended the Hove Sea Cadets re-union in Hove – many thanks to Paul Heward and the others who worked so hard to make it happen and to the cadets who greeted us so politely and took such good care of us. I was delighted to meet several people from the past and I know Robin Cooter, who I had not seen for about 35 years plus – is going to add some information to fill in the large gaps in my memories. Which I will be very grateful for. Robin told me that it was indeed Dick Naylor who shot my father and he was also responsible for offering a plaster to cover the wound. As I said before the deed may have been done by Dick but it was, by no means, his fault. Dick was a great favourite of mine and a wonderful role model for many of us youngsters – don’t mean to make him sound ancient and venerable but even a few years seniority when a teenager, makes a huge difference. I hope this site will help to encourage more comments and memories from others who are or have been involved with the cadets. I look forward to those and to future re-unions. Do visit the Hove Sea Cadets website too for more current news and the ex-Hove Sea Cadets site section for historical content – Hove & Adur Sea Cadet Unit Development Site:.The latter is still being developed but is sure to expand with the help of us oldies (and not so oldies).
The submarine that visited Maxwell’s Wharf was HMS Scythian.
I also remember queing for a long time.
This is a message for Helen who wrote this piece. I would love to publish your piece in my local community magazine, Hove Factually. Please contact me on emma@hovefactually.co.uk as I would like to publish it for our local Hove Readers to read in our free Local History pages. Thank you.
I have just found this stde. I was a member of the Hove SCC in the early 50s. A few names that come back are Brian Johnson, Alex Campbell, John Hall and Dennis Godley.
My brother and I were members of the unit between early 1962 to Autumn 1966, when we joined the MN. The photo is circa 1963-64. I can fill in a few of the names in your photo. Rear rank third from left my brother Sean (deceased Jan08), far right Nobby Naylor (I never knew him by any other name), 2nd row, third person from left in uniform Paul Hutton. Last person on right in uniform Pete Mills (joined RN). Front row 1st left Fred Linkins (RN Tiff – deceased) and 4th from right self. I well remember spending many a Saturday evening helping at the bingo with my mother, followed by rowing/swimming/sailing around the harbour on Sunday mornings. I well remember spending a weekend on HMS Curzon. Her RN name was HMS Fiddleton. I was a ‘baby’ S/Lt RNR (served 30 years in RNR achieving Lt.Cdr rank) on the bridge of the Ton astern of her when she was in collision with HMS Mermaid. It was a harrowing and haunting experience, as we guarded the wreck site for 4 days. I wish the unit a long and continuing existence. It certainly had an influence on my life.
Chris Barton (retd L/S SCC, 3rd Mate MN, Lt.Cdr RNR)
Reading comments by my brother Martin White, my husband Peter Rolfe and daughter Susan Rolfe were in Hove sea cadets and have great memories. Susan now lives in Oregon USA.
We used to meet at the boathouse at the bottom of Boundary Road on Sundays for boat training. One Sunday morning during parade to hoist the flag, there was a loud explosion from a boat called the “Anthony M”.
We quickly manned the cutter and sailed just down the jetty to see if we could help and were told to go away.
The 2009 Reunion of ex Hove Sea Cadets is being held on Saturday 20th June 2009 7.30pm in North Portslade. Please email exhove_seacadets@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to attend. The Cornwell Medal holder mentioned above ‘Norman Mitchell’ will be attending. The Ex Hove Sea Cadets Association now has six overseas branches with more in the pipeline. If you would like to join, please use the email address exhove_seacadets@hotmail.co.uk
Well what a trip down memory lane – fantastic. Does anyone remember any of the names of the crew of the MFV the sea cadets had when we sailed it to France for a fortnight. I well remember taking it across the Channel for a fortnight. Going up the Seine we visited Honfluer and Rouen skippered by Commander Harvey. Brilliant. What a great time and fond memories I have of those times.
I remember a trip on the ‘Curzon’ from Newhaven to the Solent. We anchored for the night and next day the ashes of an R.N.V.R. member were scattered in mid Channel. We returned on the Sunday. I think the year was 1953; we numbered ten or twelve.
I’m currently in Hove Sea Cadets. I have read all the comments and its just getting better and better. The training and all the courses we get put on – I’m having a great experience at Hove Sea Cadets and will be continuing for as long as possible
Roy, I remember that trip well – it was in August 1968. Here are couple of names to fill in some of the gaps; myself (Peter White) and Andy Duncan. I remember when we were along side in Rouen, Andy and I were supposed to be on watch, however, due to the two of us talking about whatever, we didn’t notice the tide ebbing, the MFV was almost hanging by its lines. As luck would have it, the CO arrived back in the nick of time and took charge of the situation. Boy didn’t Andy and I get it in the neck! I still have a soft spot for Honfluer and visit it at regular intervals; it was the first time I had been into a bar and actually had a beer. A couple of weeks after returning from this trip, I joined the RN at HMS St Vincent in Gosport and the start my naval career; at the time I didn’t realise it would last for the better part of thirty years. Although I am now retired I still work with the RN in a civilian capacity (they get all my experience but at half the cost). Andy went on to University and greater things!
Hi Peter. Its quite amazing I remember that incident well with the MFV. It was a great fortnight though. I have been back to Honfluer myself some time ago. Andy Duncan was a swimming instructor about 10 years ago, I bumped into him when I took my two boys down the King Alfred swimming. I remember you Peter, although not sure I can put a face to you now. I have a photo somewhere of us with our kit bags by the Curzon just before we left for France. I will try and find it. We had an engineer on board the MFV from the RNR - Terry, do you remember him? Bit of a lad then. Sounds like you did well for yourself mate in the RN.
Nice to read all the comments on this site. I was in the Hove Sea Cadets, approx 1950. I was in the band as a bugler, drummer and then Drum Major. I left in 1956 and joined the Household Cavalry. I did all the ceremonial duties in London, and as I could play one, I practiced on a trumpet and became one of the Household Cavalry State trumpeters, all thanks to my days in the Sea Cadet band!
Hi Peter Scutt! I remember you, you were my neighbour, my workmate at Jaycee and I remember you in the the Sea Cadets. I was also in the band, Bugle and Drums. We had some great times playing at some of the country fairs and marching down Sackville Road on a Sunday morning for Church Parades. I’ve been in Australia for 50 odd years, but nice to catch up on old times. Cheers Keith Upward
I was pleased that my attention was drawn to this site as it jogged a few pleasant memories. I was in the Hove SCC from about 1963 to 1967. I remember well Chris Barton (his entry above on 7/11/2008) and his twin brother Sean. Indeed, they were unknowingly instrumental in my chosen sea-going career. Having been mad keen on boats and ships from a young age I was destined for the Royal Navy. However, the Barton twins, a little older than me, went to sea in the Merchant Navy as Navigating Cadets with cargo line New Zealand Shipping. That caught my imagination and, subsequently, I followed the same route, but into oil tankers and oil rig supply/anchor-handling vessels serving as navigating officer and finally Master, before I left the sea in 1978. Since then I have worked for a firm of solicitors in London specialising in marine matters and casualties (mainly salvage and collision). I have very fond memories of the Hove unit and recall a number of the individuals in the photograph. I believe I may be the person top right and second in from the large, imposing character Petty Officer “Nobby” Dick Naylor. He taught the side drum in the band of which I was a member, initially as a bugler and then drummer. I recall a friend and fellow bandsman drummer David Quilter, older brother of Roy Quilter (above entry 20/7/2009) who lived in Bramber Avenue. We both loved being side drummers. A good time was had at the various band competitions, the biggest being the annual one at HMS Collingwood, and also the band leading the annual Cubs/Scouts march through Hove on St George’s Day. The unit also mounted a guard at the statue in Grand Avenue on Remembrance Sunday; again, I was part of that. There was also a trip across the channel in the unit’s MFV to all of the main Channel Islands. I think this may have been before the one to Honfleur, which was probably after I left. In Alderney we moored alongside a Royal Navy Diving Support Vessel and we were taken for a spin in their very fast and powerful rigid inflatable boat. Overall a great experience. I recall Terry, the guy from the RNR who was the engineer, who slept on a mattress in the engine room! No mod-cons there, including washing with salt water and salt water soap! I recall the MFV was also used for a trip out of Shoreham Harbour to visit an anchored Daring class destroyer (Dainty?) off Brighton where we were taken on board and shown around. Other fantastic experiences; a Navy Sea Day aboard cruiser HMS Lion (or Tiger?) observing a submarine surfacing off the starboard side and a Buccaneer fly past and bomb drop; a week long gunnery course at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth; a weekend rowing competition at Raven’s Ait, an island in the River Thames; weekly shooting at the TA Drill Hall, Dyke Road with Chief Petty Officer Clifford, to name a few. Eddie Carwardine, Shoreham by Sea
I was in the Brighton GNTC in the 60s based at what was TS Dolphin in Brewer Street, Brighton. The girls unit was run by Mrs Betty Patrick. Does anyone have any photographs from then? I was among the first girls to join when it was started, and I know there was a photo printed in the Argus on the night we joined. I have searched for a copy of this in the Argus archives which are kept at the newly opened History Centre at The Keep. But I can’t remember the year. The girls deck folded in the late 60s, and I then joined TS Fearless NTC. Thanks
Just catching up with this page again, after too long an absence, and so good to read all the comments. I’ve got more photos of the cadets, mainly of the Remembrance Day Parade, sometime in the 1960s I think. Ian Dare and Dick Naylor feature but I can’t remember the names of the others. I’m going to try and get them photos on this site somewhere and will see if I can get copies to the Ex-Sea Cadets Association too. Re the GNTC and Irene’s post – that’s a blast from our collective past as I joined when it was formed too. I was trying to remember Mrs Patrick’s name – so thank you very much for that. She was lovely and I visited her family quite a lot, in Hangleton. Her husband was involved with the GNTC too and was also an instructor in the Sea Cadets for a time. That’s how I got to know of the unit starting, with my Dad being CPO in the Sea Cadets. We first met in Newhaven and I remember being in the Remembrance Parade there, and in Seaford, the first year I was in. Then we moved and got going properly in Brighton, where we shared premises with the Brighton Sea Cadets and the Brighton Marine Cadets. Do you remember the Jumble Sale we held there, to raise funds? Were you in the Brighton Carnival with us too? The main float was the Patricks’ car done up as a ship and then a group of us marched behind and I was one of the lucky ones who got to carry a canoe through the streets – it was a baking hot day and we were in our white fronts and Navy serge bellbottoms – we got blisters from carrying the canoe. Oh my, those were the days. We went to camp near Bournemouth one year too – all us girls in one huge tent and the boys in smaller ones – we were pitched at the bottom of a hill and it had rained – quite a lot – meaning we had to take everything out each morning, as the wet ran down into the tent. I remember vehicles getting stuck in the mud too. I’d love to find those photos from the Argus too Irene and perhaps a trip to The Keep would give a result: there were photos of the Carnival too. All I’ve got are a couple of photos of myself in my back garden – very unflattering as the uniform really didn’t suit me at all - some very good memories though most of the names of people escape me. My memory lets me down I’m afraid. If Irene, or anyone else wants to make contact for anything the best way these days is my email: helenmcd20@hotmail.com. Please bear with me, as in addition to my bad memory, I’m a bit of a crock these days and sometimes don’t get online much.
Great to read Helen’s memories of GNTC. Sorry I have only just seen it. I do remember being in the Lions carnival, myself and Angela Wilson actually stood on the top of the Patrick’s car all the way from Hove to Preston Park – no health and safety issues in those days. I have a photo of us. I do remember the car getting a bit overheated every so often on the journey. I think we were towing a little sailing boat called Stroppy - great fun. Do you remember when we went to London for a big parade? my friend Sheila and I stayed with a girl from a London unit, in Tottenham. I wish I had more photos of all of us from back then – happy days.
I was in the Hove sea cadet around the time that you mentioned, 1958-1964. I do remember some of the people mentioned ie Instructor Clifford and Nobby Naylor who was a very good friend as well as Dave Stevens who emigrated with his parents to New Zealand. Do you recall the name Micheal Reigate? He showed me how to play the bugle as a very young lad and sadly he was found hanged in Hove park. I had to play the last post at his funeral and it still upsets and haunts me to this day. I was unable to get into the Royal Navy after leaving school as, at that time, I failed a colour test and in 1964 went into the Merchant Navy instead. By going off to sea I have lost touch with all my old school pals from the Knoll school for boys. I have spent many hours on the computer trying to locate some of them but so far have had no luck. I am now living with my wife and adopted daughter near Alicante, Spain.
My dad Peter Allwright was a Petty Officer in the RNR on the HMS Curzon from about 1969. I know some people have commented about this minesweeper and I would love to get my dad back in contact with anyone who may have been on the boat with him.
Hi Helen, I think I knew both yourself and your Dad in the sixties both my Father and myself were in the Hove Sea Cadets.
Dad was a Petty Officer Derrick Hughes – I am Clive Hughes…I think this was Way back in 1966 or so.
If you are the same Helen Clifford? I believe you were living in Portslade.Fond memories
Long time since I looked at this page and it’s good to read everything, including the comments I hadn’t seen in the interim.
I made contact with Clive Hughes via a Facebook group, which was such a pleasant surprise as the contact happened so quickly once I asked if anyone knew him.
So many memories that come and go – the going far more and far too frequent. Thank goodness for this site and others that help record so many treasures from the past.
Good to read Irene’s comments again, along with all the others. I found the photos you posted elsewhere – I’ve forgotten where – of the GNTC. I’d completely forgotten the one of a group of us printed in the newspaper from when we started in Brighton.
I digress. I am so pleased people have visited this page and all those who have added their memories and helped with names.
I’m hoping Richard Harwood may look at this page again sometime as there is a facebook page for Knoll Boys School. Might be a seperate one for Knoll Girls as well. Lots of posts from former pupils but we’re all former pupils now as the school hasn’t existed for a long time.
The memories shared on here are wonderful and to know my Dad and others are still remembered so well. It’s obvious how much influence the cadets had on many lives and mostly positive ones. It’s very sad to read about those no longer with us but that’s the way of things of course. Dreadfully sad to read about Michael Reigate. I must add another ex cadet and thoroughly lovely person, my cousin Chris Hiscock to those passed. He died a just a few years ago.
If anyone knows how to contact Richard/Dick/’Nobby’ Naylor, I’d love to touch base with him.
Great to know the Sea Cadets are still going strong thanks to the likes of Paul Heward and family.
Not sure if I can add my email but it’s still helenmcd20@hotmail.com and I’m on facebook under Helen Shipley. Maiden name was Clifford.
Hope you see this Richard. I’ll try and put links to fb if I can find it/them again. It has many drawbacks but there are lots of good groups on facebook.
I’ve stumbled across this site quite accidentally though it has rekindled many pleasant memories. The photo has to have been taken between 1960 and 1962 because I was astonished to find myself in it (6th from left back row) and those were the years I was in the Hove SCC. I don’t recall it being taken. Every Friday evening was the ritual of putting on the uniform, getting a lift down to the King Alfred and then afterwards (aged 11-13) walking alone back to The Drive to spend the night with my grandparents to save having to get all the way back across Brighton.
Memories include several of those mentioned in posts above – all the officers and the big cadet Petty Officer Naylor. There was a Leading Seaman Kite too. The closing evening ceremony with a bugler has stayed with me forever.
There were occasional weekend gatherings at Shoreham harbour and I still have photos somewhere of me and one other (Nicholas Morris) covered with anti-fouling paint after helping scrape and then paint the hull of one of the boats for maintenance.
I did want to join the navy in those days and went every year to the Navy days at Portsmouth. I spent five years after leaving the Sea Cadets in the Naval Section of my school’s CCF, ending up as a cadet Petty Officer, but life took a different turn during university. Despite this I never lost my love of all things naval.
I should have added above that I still recall parading with the Hove SCC at the Greyhound Stadium along with many other Brighton and Hove youth groups when the Queen visited the area in July1962. Despite being ‘on parade’ I can remember craning my head a bit to try to see here as she drove around the Stadium in a Land Rover.
My name is Tim Turner and I was in the Hove SCC from January 1962 until September 1964, when I left to attend the King Edward 7th in London prior to going to sea with BP Tankers. My years in the unit were very happy and this site has brought back many memories. I am in the photo directly behind Lt. Cmdr Harvey.
Recently I have come across my Sea Cadets History Sheet SCC 57 which shows all the courses that I attended whilst in the unit. Gunnery course at HMS Excellent in April 1963. Engineering Course at HMS Sultan in July 1964. Seamanship Course at Loch Ewe in August 1963 with Ridgeway, Freeman, Jestico and Jenkins. Outward Bound Course at Aberdovey in April 1964. Trips on HMS Curzon. Weekend at Ravens Ait.
I remember Adrian Watts ( 4th from left back row ) Naylor, Hatton, Peter Mackeown. Peter and I both live in Australia.
Friday Parades, Tuesday Guard Drill, Weekends boating at Shoreham. All great days.
Lt Hayward used to drive me down from Haywards Heath at weekends in his Bubble Car.
I am now retired ( 76 ) and last position was Harbour Master at the Port of Newcastle NSW.
Tim Turner.
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