I was interested to read of the mention of the 53 Floods and the Boys of HMS GANGES involvement in the clear up operations. It reminds me of my Dear Old Friend, SeaDad and good friend to all, Perky Mellow, LVP of the HMS GANGES Association. Always one with a Sea story, onbe of the most memorable involved his time as an Instructor at Shotley 52-53. His Class of Boys were on clear up duties on the Felixstowe Banks. During the course of one particular cold wet day, at the end of Perky's Watch, he despatched himself by boat back to Shotley, to arrange for urns of strong hot tea for the Boys. He had promised his Fellow Instructors that their Daily Tots would also be despatched with the tea back over to Felixstowe.
It didn't take Perky long to get the tea whet and back on a boat across to the shore at Felixstowe. Meanwhile Perky went to the Shotley Pier with semaphore flags in hand (remember this was 1953) and signalled:................."Tea for the Boys' Working Party on its way". Shortly afterwards a semaphore message was received from Felixstowe:................"Tea received. Where's the Instructors Rum". Perky immediately signalled back: ............"In the Tea"!! The Boys, cold and wet, really enjoyed their Stand Easy Tea, but needless to say their Instructors were not impressed.
That evening in the Chiefs' Mess in Ganges Perky had some explaining to do!! Any who had the privilege of knowing him will appreciate that he was well able to convince his fellow Chiefs and P Os that one days tot was a small gift of gratitude to show to the Boys, considering their working conditions.
Are there any of our Members who remember this incident?
