Page 4
We were now introduced to the practice of "Sprogging"
Most of the older readers will be familiar with the story of "Tom Browns Schooldays" and the similarity between the novel and life as an apprentice was very comparable. The Shouts of a Senior apprentice summoning a BOY were to be heard throughout the Dormitories to carry out some task or other, such as going to the N.A.A.F.I. , making up laundry, polishing boots Etc.Etc. despite the ban by "The Establishment" of the practice.
As is the want of boys of that age Bullying was also prevalent and over the years there had been one or two very disastrous incidents resulting in Boys having had their Apprenticeship terminated or recieving the maximum naval punishment for boys under 18 "CUTS". Civilians will understand it as, The Cane, administered in front of the Commanding Officer and Doctor by the Master-at-Arms
Other punishments such as stoppage of Leave for being late back on board, or Number 9's which could be handed out in 7 or 14 day blocks for some serious misdemeanor Such as fighting or willfull neglect of Duty.
Being out of the "Rig of the Day", we had to wear certain types of clothing for certain times of the day, would in the main be dealt with by the Officer of the Day and could result in his punishment. It was termed, " The Dartmouth Run". He would designate a certain "Rig"and the boy had to return to his dormitory, change into the designated "RIG" and then report back to the Officer all within certain Time Limits. Failure to meet the time criteria could just prolomg the punishment until it was met.
This state was to last until the end of term and for around the first month of the second until the New Intake was ready to take over the helm.
So from the end of January until Easter leave life settled down to a routine of study and a desperate cry home for FOOD PARCELS, Duty Watch every eighth day when we learnt the art of operating the fire pump, peeling potatoes when the mechanical peeler became defective or cleaning kitchen equipement if it was thought we were underdeployed on a weekend and the "Piece de Resistance", digging a large 'ole that was eventually to become the establishments swimming pool long after we had moved on to "Other Places"
At the weekend shore leave was granted allowing us to take in the highlights of Post War bombed out Plymouth and Devonport. However minimal funds did not allow us the Highlife as they were limited to 10/- (ten shillings) per week. This level of pay was felt dramatically by myself as prior to entering the service I had been earning a whole £1 (One Pound) in 1953, regarded as a princely sum at the time for a 15 year old.
As the weeks progressed and winter turned to spring life began to feel more comfortable as the dank Cornish air gave way to a less humid one and the constant desire for warmth slowed down the forays into the darkness to raid the coal tips for more fuel for our ever greedy central heating system; the two stoves situated in the central isle of the dormitory.
Finally in April our first leave was due allowing us to return home to our families for two weeks.
A whole routine went into action to prepare for this, culminating in end of term "Paydown" when we recieved our two weeks pay and any Emoluments not spent from the 7/6d Boot and laundry monies ** retained each week plus a sum called "R.A. Money".
This was "rationed ashore" money that was to be passed on to our parents as our "Keep" for the two week leave period. I wonder how many Muvvers actually took this payment due to them to feed the returning hungry brat.
For a junior under 17 this resulted in a payment in total of some five pounds and and for the first time ever it was presented as a "White Fiver"
On the day in question when leave actually commenced we were bussed to the station in Plymouth at the appropriate hour in batches taken from the whole establishment to ensure only those going on a certain train were let loose and not clogging up the transport system for the Civilian population.
For me it was a 5 hour train trip to London - Waterloo, then a Suburban train to Caterham from Victoria, a total journey of some 8 hours.
Reunification with the family over it was early to bed after such a long and tiring day that had started at 6-30am with reveille on board in Torpoint Cornwall
After a good nights sleep and a Lie In , the first in almost 4 months, the first objective was to visit a bank to change the "Large White Fiver" into smaller notes as "Fivers" although Legal currency caused many problems for a boy of 16 trying to pay for goods or services with one.
After a hearty breakfast I dressed in my civilian clothes again and made a foray to the bank in Caterham Valley there being none in Caterham-on-the-Hill in those days.
The Banks of the 1950's were the epitomy of Pomp and Elegance emitting the aroma of freshly applied furnitue polish from the ornately carved Victorian or Edwardian woodwork, and there was an air of peacefulness as one waited in a short queue to be attended to by the Bank Clerk
It soon became my turn to be attended to and I passed my white fiver to the clerk requesting it be changed into 3 pound notes, 2 ten shillng notes and the remainder in coin . This request had the Clerk peering over his half type reading glasses and Muttering " Just a minute" and disappearing into the rear of the offices only to return with another Person who he addressed as "Sir" and pointed out to "SIR" that I was the young person in question presenting the Large note
I was then questioned as to where I had obtained such a large sum of money and they looked rather astonished when I pointed out I had been PAID this amount only 2 days previously. I was then asked if I had any identification on my person and promptly produced my paybook which had to be carried at all times whether in or out of military uniform.
Looking a little flustered, "SIR" muttered to the Clerk " Oh that's O.K. carry on" and disappeared back into the woodwork. I then recieved the change I had requested.
I have NEVER used the services of the Westminster bank again.
** Note Laundry was the only priveledge that Apprentices really had as our daily routine was so taken up with studies, time to do ones washing was not available to us. It came as a big shock on going to Sea when one had to return to the 2gallon Bucket Method using a bar of Pussers Hard or Dhoby Dust