HMS BERRYHEAD 1972
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HMS Berryhead was a relic from the Second World War old and forgotten. Showing her age, rust and mothballs, she had done the job, which is all you can expect of a ship. Lying in reserve in Plymouth Dockyard. Inside her hull was a complete engineering workshop, and repair facility, including even a foundry. And although we did minimum maintenance which included storing ship, with essentials for a non-existent crew. We all knew this old ship was heading for the knackers' yard. This was 'Up the Creek', and 'Further up the Creek.' With a little touch of the Navy Lark, and no chance of any 'right hand down a bit.' Still I had a great time on her. Looking back now I suppose it was an iconic period. My first look up Fareham creek in 1963 and seeing the moored second-world-war aircraft carrier, Cruisers, Destroyers, submarines and depot ships waiting in reserve for the inevitable breakers yard.
Then this was the final sunset on the old Navy. Which had contrary to the Americans, won the battle of the Atlantic. On HMS Puma I saw the physical mass of the empire shrink. Of course I was just missing my wife and having fun in the real Navy lark. Still other factors now took over and the square peg bashes struck again and I was drafted back to HMS Dryad. I suppose I was happy to be going back. Now I wondered 50 years later if staying on the old Berryhead would have made my life in the Royal Navy so very different. She was after all something no one would ever see again. One thing which did strike me was how clean and well maintained she was inside. But packing my kit bag I went back to Dryad To find the 'plans of mice and men,'' or something like that.
Here is the full length film.
Here is the full length film.
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