Volunteer Voices: Two Shipwrights Reunite
Volunteer Voices: Two Shipwrights Reunite
In this blog, we are focusing on the story of two of our newer members to the Ships’ Volunteer Team.
For many of our volunteers, volunteering is a lifelong commitment. It is always wonderful being able to welcome back individuals who worked at the Dockyard or did their apprenticeships here. Two such volunteers are David and Gerry, who joined the Ships’ Volunteers in 2023. Both men completed their shipwrights’ apprenticeships at the Dockyard.
After retiring, they decided to return and volunteer their time with us. It is a wonderful, full-circle moment for them to come back and use the skills they learnt during their apprenticeships. Both of their stories are great examples of how our volunteers are vital for keeping alive the knowledge, skills, and stories that make up the unique heritage and character of the Historic Dockyard Chatham.
David’s Story
I started my apprenticeship in the dockyard on 10 June 1974, at 16 years old. Originally, I had put my name down to be a Coppersmith, but my Dad changed my mind to become a Shipwright.
I left the dockyard due to redundancy (as did many others) on Friday 13 May 1983. I would have stayed in the dockyard until my retirement if it had stayed open, but alas, it didn’t.
It was a very anti-climactic day when I left, and very sad.
Life After the Dockyard
I didn’t get a job immediately after I left, so I went to a Skills Centre on Hoath Way to do a 3-month course on advanced carpentry. The centre found me a job at Bell Glass as a carpenter /glazier. I stayed there for 3 years.
I then went to Anglian Windows as a service engineer for 26 years but I decided I didn’t want to continue with that kind of work. In 2012, I applied for a job at Rivermead School as the Site Manager and was there for 11 years.
On retirement in 2023, I found I needed something to occupy myself. Before I had retired, I knew I wanted to be a volunteer at the ‘Yard.
Volunteering at The Dockyard
As a volunteer at the Dockyard, I find that I am rekindling my skills. Where I haven’t done certain things for a while, I have to think again as a shipwright.
It felt strange for a short time to return to the Dockyard after 50 years, but I soon felt at home. The other volunteers that I work with are a great bunch of lads with whom I get on great.
My time working in the ‘Yard had its ups and downs, just like any other job, but I had great times and fond memories. I‘d like to thank the Dockyard so much for giving me the opportunity to return to where I belong.
David’s Favourite Project at the Dockyard
My favourite project was when I joined a FDC (Fenders, Docks, Caissons) gang. They had just started constructing a caisson when I joined them. To be given plans and instructions on how to do a particular job and to see the results gave me great satisfaction.
Gerry’s Story
I started my apprenticeship as a Shipwright in 1973 when I was 16. I left in ’77, 3 months after I finished my apprenticeship to work with my brothers on Dartford power station as an industrial roofer for 4 years.
Working Life
I then went on to refurbishing buildings in London as a carpenter, one of the refurbishments I worked on was the MI5 Headquarters in Millbank. I carried on as a carpenter, mainly working as a Site Foreman until I retired 2 years ago.
When I finished, I did most of the day jobs that I had never finished at home. When they were done, my wife Denise told me that I was getting under her feet and needed something to do. I looked for volunteer work for a couple of days a week, and when I saw the Dockyard wanted volunteers, it was a no-brainer. To finish where I started.
Volunteering at The Dockyard
Working on HMS GANNET is what I’ve enjoyed the most. As a shipwright, that’s probably the best place to work. I also enjoyed the Mission Christmas project, as well as working with the rest of the Monday & Thursday mob.
It was great to start around the same time as David, as he is a fellow shipwright and started his apprenticeship the year after me. Returning to the ‘yard was different as it is now a lot smaller, but it does feel good to be here.
The Dockyard apprenticeship set me up in the building trade as a carpenter, it showed me how to plan and carry out my work, especially when on Price work.
Gerry’s Favourite Project at the Dockyard
A memorable moment was being arrested for treason.
Myself and another apprentice were boiling bitumen on plywood on deck HMS AURORA to fit non-slip plates to either side of bulkhead doors on a Saturday. When we finished, we turned off the gas and went home and the leaders were going to clear everything away the following day. When I arrived to clock-on at the Main Gate on Monday, I was arrested for treason due to arson on Her Majesty’s ship. The ply wood had smouldered and scorched the timber deck at the top of the gangplank. It was seen when the Admiral of the Fleet was visiting during the week. My father was sent for but after I told him I was working with another apprentice on our own, he asked why we had no skipper with us. They came back later to say that we could go but to be more careful in future.
Thank you, David and Gerry for sharing your stories about working and returning to the Dockyard to volunteer.
