| HMS Dryad, A.K.A. Follyfoot farm, due to the country club nature of the establishment. In reality it's the Radar training school where I spend a fair bit of my Naval career. Situated at Southwick near Portsmouth, but far enough away to be in the country. I quite liked Dryad it was like being in a different world, a whole community miles from anywhere. The local village had 2 pubs, the "Golden lion" or the "Red lion" which ever you preferred, the Golden in my case. At HMS Dryad there were Riding stables a swimming pool [open to the public at night] a Golf course and even a wood shed, where we would have to chop logs to sell to the locals, Oh yes and some radar training happened occasionally as well. There are "simulators" of ships "ops rooms" we called them "models" where all the action took place. I remember once we were in the middle of a massive air attack during one of the "model" exercises, when Spike Ainsworth, my "surface picture reporter" accidentally switched the radar off, I quickly switched it back on again but it takes about 30 seconds to warm up. I have never seen so many headless chickens during that 30 seconds. |
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HMS Dryad the RADAR training school, sadly not any more though it is now the Defence Police College and the Service Police Crime Bureau. I had some brilliant times at Dryad in the old days some of it somewhat blurred due to the Golden Lion serving 'Wheat and Raisin' wine which was quite strong and made me wake up in a field surrounded by cows one morning. Happy days... |
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Class of 83 The only name I can remember is Spider Kelly, back row with beard and I think Jock Bradley next to him with the shades on. |
