March 1, 2002 H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham Royal Naval Shore Establishment. H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham Royal Naval Shore Establishment. Administration Officers. CRS (RCI) D.O. "Wildfire" Jones, BEM., First Administration Officer & Permanent Staff Instructor October 1963 - June 1970. Lieutenant Harry A. Barnes, RN., (Rtd.) Unit Staff Officer 1 January 1971 - 25 September 1985 1985 - 1989 CWren(HQ)(OPS) P.F.Howes,BEM.,WRNR. PO(EW) S. Moxon, (HMS "Charybdis") RS C.P. Shoesmith. (HMS "Penelope") Civilian Staff. GPO Telephone Engineer:Mr. Richard Hicks. Caretakers: (LCHQ) Mr. Sayers, Mr. Oliver (Collingwood Block) Mr. Ken Yeates Cleaners: (LCHQ) Joan Howard, (Collingwood Block) Dot Williamson, Marge Kettle. Flag Officer Medway - Staff Officers Lt Cdr C G R Straetfield-James RN 1963-65 Lt Cdr A R Gillingham RN 1965-69 Lt Cdr A E Johnson-Newell RN 1968-73 Lt Cdr M C M Smith MBE RN 1973-77 Lt Cdr H A Mayers RN 1977-78 Lt Cdr T S Cooper MBE RN 1978-80 Lt Cdr S G Solley RN 1980-82 Lt Cdr G A Coles MBE RN 1982-83 (F.O.Medway Command Closed) Permanent Staff Instructors, Royal Navy (PSI’s) CRS (RCI) Don Jones,BEM. (Ext. Period) CRS Richard Dolby CRS Sam Macfarlane. CCY Tom Sayers. CCY Jim Surridge. CCY Tony Adnams. CCY Dave Fields, BEM.(Two Periods) CCY Chris Judges. CCY Wally Telfer. CCY MickTapping,. CCY Jim Lord (Ext. Period) CY Vic Hoffmeyer. CPO(RPI) Del Stringfellow. (Two Periods) PO(RPI) Robin Apps. PO(RPI) Jan Pocock. PO Henry Cooper. PO Ray Featham. PO Ivan Batt. PO Jim Duncan. PO Jack Frost. PO Bob Simmonds. PO Bob Forrester. PO Paul Jones.

March 7, 2002 The early H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham RNR. Admiral Dunlop (F.O. Medway) inspects the Main Plot WILDFIRE REMEMBERED by Commander John Davies VRD RNR, Commanding Officer 1969-74 After joining the RNVR List II in July 1943 and later serving as an HQ rating, I rejoined the RNVR in December 1948 serving at Southampton. In 1963 I came to Strood to work and whilst on a course for Supply Officers at PEMBROKE Lieut. Cdr Straetfield-James RN, SOP to FO MEDWAY, approached me to join the new RNR HQ Unit at Chatham. The task was to act as the Supply Officer and set up the administration, based on my experience at Southampton. The unit was to be a "tender" to PEMBROKE. I remember vividly Kit Straetfield-James taking me down to the tunnel and the derelict Nissen but by the entrance. It had a double band of electric lights hanging from the ceiling which seemed to number about a hundred. It was impossible to visualise the transformation which was to take place, but of course I reckoned without the resourcefulness of Kit! He found some obscure source of funds and got a grant of something like £3,000 which in those days would have bought a semi! His technique was to put on his helpless act and ask the right person for help - the result many of us will recall. He even got good quality Wilton carpets for both Wardroom and Canteen. Captain Richardson RN (Retired) agreed to become the first CO as Commander Richardson RNR and set about selecting his officers and ratings, a task over which he took infinite care. Soon he was travelling in from Sheerness practically every day. I do not recall when CRS Don Jones appeared on the scene for he always seemed to be there. Don ran the ship's office and we tried to keep everything as simple as possible. He was a tower of strength and was eventually to be rewarded with the BEM which was really richly deserved. The first Drill Nights started in February 1964 and by September HMS WILDFIRE was thriving when the Commissioning Ceremony took place. At the time Commander Richardson insisted on all ratings being addressed as Mr, Mrs or Miss and it was perhaps this start which led to the legend of the WILDFIRE Rating who was welcomed and respected wherever he served. When John Stroud took over after two years the form of address was replaced, but the relationship and respect was most firmly established. Kit's appointment to another establishment came and Lieut. Cdr Ben Gillingham arrived. Dear Ben became a favourite and his "follow me splash" certainly added vitality. It was not long before we had BENWARNS! John Stroud had been a Flag Lieutenant and resigned his commission to return to the family firm. He made an enormous contribution to the Unit. Admiral's inspections and other visitations were never a problem for the visiting officer had invariably been just a lad serving with Commander Richardson! I was invited to take over as First Lieutenant. By this time the first WRNR officers had been appointed and I recall Marion Humphries and Celia Staddon being at a memorable ACR Inspection in 1966 by Rear Admiral Carew-Hunt. It was my first inspection as the First Lieutenant. I remember in the morning opening the post at Lloyds Bank, Strood, and coming to a blue envelope addressed to me which turned out to be a letter from Admiral Carew-Hunt congratulating me on my promotion! I moved fairly swiftly and Whittakers, the popular naval tailor at the time, changed my lace and I managed to buy a Commander's cap for my big head – 7¼ ! I literally had no idea of my promotion and the Inspection was quite an occasion. We had arranged for PEMBROKE to do the catering and they certainly did a great job. I recall Admiral Carew-Hunt suffered from gout and at first he declined the strawberries, his favourite. Needless to say the overall report was excellent! I remember the presentation of the BEM to Don Jones. He and his wife picked me up in Strood at about 6 am, bound for Portsmouth. I must admit to giving my shoes an extra polish the previous evening for Don's shoes always sparkled. We eventually arrived in Portsmouth and parked the car - out clothes brush, etc. I was secretly proud of my shoes which did not disgrace Don's shoes - Don then changed into his best shoes! The presentation by the Commander-in-Chief took place in the Great Cabin of HMS VICTORY, and afterwards it took a long time to travel back to the Medway via various friends of Don's en route. Life at WILDFIRE was closely linked with PEMBROKE, particularly in the early days. We worked closely with the Pay Office and the Cash Office and Lieut. Cdr Frank Moody was an enormous help. The Unit developed a very keen shooting section using the PEMBROKE range. In those days PEMBROKE swimming baths became a weekly social occasion for WILDFIRE on Saturdays and Sundays, adjourning to the PEMBROKE Wardroom. The very many Dinners at PEMBROKE were all enjoyable. I quickly learned the advantage of sitting next to Harry Barnes who had been Mess Secretary for 15 years. Harry did much to continue the relationship with PEMBROKE when he was appointed Unit Staff Officer. That reminds me of the only argument I'm ever likely to win with the Civil Service. When the vacancy for an R03 job arose in the Unit, the Civil Service in London had their own nominee whereas FO Medway and I badly wanted Harry. I had to attend the Selection Board in Holborn which lasted all day and after some vigorous dialogue we eventually won the day. Harry Barnes and I went to ACR's meeting at Greenock one year. The subject of uniform was always uppermost at WILDFIRE. It will be recalled that the first HQ Unit was formed by FO PLYMOUTH. The powers that be at "Head Office" were against the idea and I understand the Unit was created in spite of the opposition. In fact it officially did not exist and eventually after a year or so the question of uniform arose. The Unit was recognised but with ill grace and this resulted in the battledress plus beret (rumoured to be ex Civil Defence). Anyway, we had managed to get the subject of uniform on to the Agenda - Wren's hats for Wrens and fore and aft rig for POs. The staff officer to ACR was determined to get through the Agenda in time for lunch at noon. Our submission was agreed together with the rest of the Agenda in record time and I swear Harry Barnes hardly noticed our fight was won! Norman Nell excelled himself as the Parade Commander for the two Reserve Parades which we organised during my time as CO. Taking part were WILDFIRE, RMR who provided the Guard, the RNXS, the RM Cadets and Sea Cadets. Official guests were MPs for Rochester and Gillingham. FO MEDWAY carried out the inspection which culminated in musical sunset provided by C-in-C Fleet RM Band. The Mayors of Rochester, Gillingham and Chatham and the Chairman of Strood RDC arrived in that order and departed in reverse order. All were well entertained, together with other guests afterwards. The second year was a bit of a worry because of the weather but the rain stopped a few minutes before the parade. We also made our mark in the sailing regattas, winning the ratings dinghy on the first occasion we entered. We went on of course to hold our own regattas. David Gibbons ran our regattas with a great flair of organisation and earned the respect of all units and Divisions who participated. I think it was 1967 when we found ourselves under complement which at the time was 72 ratings. We made a tremendous recruitment effort including the handling of our own press campaign. Harry Barnes bore the brunt of the admin. whilst the whole unit contributed to the entry of 38 ratings. We then had to persuade ACR to allow us to go one third over complement to 108. The Unit was organised into 3 watches of 24 plus a training watch. We actually had a waiting list of recruits which was unique. At about this time a considerable effort was made in the world of NCS. It is difficult to assess the time that Lieut. Cdr "Sandy" Sanderson spent in the Tunnel. He patented the WILDFIRE board system of display - a long way from the computer display, but remember this was 20 years ago! Ron Alfrey was a tower of strength and became an expert on the workings of the old "fruit machines", breaking down the method to an alternative arithmetical calculation. We created training weekends for ourselves and visitors called CHATSHIPS which very successful, officially recognised and supported. Thus WILDFIRE with the support of the then SOP, Lieut. Cdr Tony Johnson-Newell earned quite a reputation if not an authority in the world of NCS. Mention must be made of Norman Nell's expertise in MCM which was interwoven in the NCS ensuring a degree of practice as opposed to theory. Memories of service with H.M.S. "Wildfire" 1964 - 1971 By Plotter Gde1 Alastair Miller - Official Number CH1. As one of the first ratings to enlist with H.M.S. "Wildfire" on its revival in 1964 I have been asked to provide my memories of that time. Around the end of 1963, beginning of 1964 a leaflet was circulated throughout the Medway Towns asking for volunteers to join the Royal Naval Reserve, Headquarters Unit Chatham. This was for jobs as Cryptographer, Plotter, Teleprinter Operator, Message Handler, Switchboard Operator and Recorder to man a Local Command Headquarters in Chatham. My wife found one of these leaflets in the local Post Office and she showed it to me suggesting I might like to join to give me an interest,. For myself I had never served in any of the Armed Services being refused for National Service on medical grounds and despite repeated efforts to join any of the Armed Services which were always refused. I duly wrote and asked for more details. After due process of interviews I was accepted and officially enlisted as CH1 on the 23rd April 1964. This is a date I cannot forget; as it was my birthday on the 22nd, my enlistment on the 23rd and at 3.00 am on the 24th my eldest daughter was born at home in a hurry with me as midwife! I opted for the job as shore plotter. This was because I had always liked maps and geography and the chance to plot ships movements appealed to me. The Local Command Headquarters was a series of tunnels and underground rooms which looked like a relic of World War Two. The operations room had a large table on to which ship movements were plotted before transposing to the wall map. Some of the equipment did indeed date from World War II which we adapted for our own use. The first intake of ratings numbered about ten, which was soon doubled with a varied selection of individuals. Some had previous service in the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce and some like myself had never been in any of the Armed Services. None of us knew much about manning a Local Command Headquarters. Our instructors were a mixture of Royal Navy P.O.s and C.P.O.s with help from people who had served in other LCHQs. One of my first instructors had served as Head Plotter in another area. The Commanding Officer was a Captain Richardson, Royal Navy (Retd.) who had taken a step down to the rank of Commander Royal Naval Reserve in order to help get the unit started. He was indeed an Officer and a Gentleman, always willing to help. Once or twice he even took all of us to his home near Sheerness for an informal social evening. Free beer and eats laid on, which we enjoyed very much. To start with we did not have a uniform although the Commanding Officer and other Officers had their uniforms. However these were soon issued to the ratings - Navy blue serge Battle-dress with trousers for the men, skirts for the women. The men had collar detached shirts with starched collars, two sleeveless pullovers, black shoes and socks, a doubled breasted navy blue raincoat and berets for all ratings. Initially the training was on basic naval procedure - how to March, Salute, What rates and ranks were, Naval Terminology etc. Then began the training for the particular jobs we had chosen. At this stage we were rated as "Unqualified", in my case "Unqualified Plotter". Our training took place on Thursday evenings from 19:30 to 21:30. Thursday 10th September, 1964 was a big night for the Unit when we were officially commissioned as H.M.S. "Wildfire", a name which traditionally had associations with the Medway area. This was attended with all the pomp and ceremony such an occasion merited. We now existed as part of the Royal Navy. That first year, 1964, LCHQ Chatham did not take part in the usual annual NATO exercise. There were not enough of us and we were not sufficiently trained. Therefore we were divided up and sent to other LCHQs throughout the country. I was sent to Plymouth with other ratings from Chatham, to serve our annual two weeks training period at H.M.S. "Vivid" the LCHQ for the West of England. This was my first experience of staying in a Naval Barracks - H.M.S. "Drake". The male ratings had to share accommodation with regular Naval Personnel in one enormous room with sixty triple tier bunks. 180 men in one room! All on watch duties, coming and going at all hours of day and night. The facilities were limited to say the least and totally inadequate. After two days the call came that there were spare cabins in the Petty Officers Mess, would anyone like to move. I never packed so quick, although some of the RNR ratings stayed, mainly ex-matelots who felt that they were back home. Staying in the PO’s Mess had its advantages - individual cabins, better food and at tot-time (The Rum issue) "neaters", not watered grog, which you could drink at your leisure. We also had Navy issue cigarettes "Blue liners" at 2/9d per 100, one issue per week - these cigarettes were very strong. H.M.S. "Vivid" was another LCHQ just like "Wildfire" - housed underground. Here I soon learnt the three watch system and my chosen job of Plotter. Everyone made us welcome and we had both an instructive and enjoyable two weeks. The pay was 16/- a day, best of all from my wife’s point of view she got 11/- a day marriage allowance, and with me out of the way for two weeks, her suggestion that I join the RNR was paying off! Besides the evening drills and annual two weeks training exercises we had trips out. Being next to Chatham Dockyard where ships were refitted and updated the occasional opportunity arose when we were invited on ship’s trials for a day. The first of these was on board the Destroyer H.M.S. "Defender" on Wednesday 15th July 1964. We had Speed Trials up and down the North Sea; Radio and Radar Tests, Gunnery Exercises and then in the evening we started home. At this point the engines failed! And we were adrift at sea, with night coming on - all very well, but there were WRNR ratings on board as part of our party. Under Naval Regulations no women were permitted on board at night. The Captain was a worried man, not knowing quite what to do. However, eventually the engines were restarted, and we limped into Chatham past Midnight. I got home after two o’clock in the morning to a wife who thought I had joined the Navy permanently !!? Other outings in conjunction with other LCHQs were Long Weekends to visit our NATO colleagues in Belgium, France and Holland. These were to the Ports of Ostend, Cherbourg and Den Helder where we stayed in the Naval Barracks. Our hosts always looked after us splendidly, taking us on tours to see all kinds of sights. For my part I enjoyed being part of the Royal Naval Reserve, as did many of my new made friends. We often did more training evenings than our allotted quota and were pleased to learn more and more as we went on. This had its surprises - as when I first became a Senior Plotter (Leading Rate) with my "hook" proudly sewn on my sleeve I reported for duty one training evening and was told by the Duty Officer to take a class for instruction ! No warning, no preparation, nothing. Not only did I now have to train other ratings, but Officers as well, on all the various aspects of shore plotting. Still, I soon learnt how to instruct and to take charge of a watch on exercises without any formal training. Our Rating Badges sometimes lead to confusion, a star for a qualified rating (AB), an anchor for the senior rating and for the head rates (PO) a crown. Soon after I was promoted to Head Plotter in 1967 we had an Admirals Inspection. There I stood on parade, slightly to one side of my Operations Division awaiting our inspection. When it came to our turn to be inspected the Admiral looked at me, walked all around me, looked at my crown - sniffed, said harumph and walked off! It was soon after that, that the Head Rates had their Ratings badge changed to the conventional, Royal Naval Petty Officer’s badge. Not only that, but we were allowed to wear caps instead of Berets for Head Rates. Another innovation was the issue of Barathea, Made to Measure Battle-dress Uniforms with gold badges (which we had to buy ourselves) for special occasions. We still wore our issue (serge) Battle-dress uniform as working dress. In 1968, there was no exercise for the annual two week training period. Instead I was asked if I would like to take myself and two other rating to Gibraltar - where they had an LCHQ to work with them during their two week’s training exercise. Naturally I sad yes, and it was arranged for Mick Stuart (Senior Plotter) and Andy Thorne (qualified Plotter) to accompany me. This was in September/October 1968. All three of us were flown from RAF Lyneham to Gibraltar on a routine RAF transport Flight. This was the first time I had flown anywhere. Mick Stuart, and old soldier who had flown several time before, did not help me. He knew I was uneasy about flying and made comments aimed to unsettle me. Still we reached Gibraltar safely. When we reported to H.M.S. "Rooke" in Gibraltar, where we were to stay for the two weeks, the Master-at-Arms inspected us to see if we were suitable to stay in a Royal Naval Barracks! The Gibraltar LCHQ was located off a large Tunnel running right under the "Rock", in fact under the middle of the "Rock". The layout was similar to the other LCHQ’s I had been to. All three of us were made very welcome and allocated each to a different watch - so we hardly ever saw each other, except on occasional breaks. Mick and Andy shared accommodation in the Junior Rates Mess, and myself in the PO’s Mess. We all had an interesting two weeks both at work in the LCHQ and exploring Gibraltar in our leisure moments. In 1969 H.M.S. "Wildfire" had its first formal Dinner/Dance at them Central Hotel Gillingham, which was well attended. In fact 1969 to me started to see "Wildfire" taking part in more outside interests. Also it seemed to become more a part of the "pusser" Royal Navy with a tightening of procedures. This is not say that we had been slack in any way before. There are a lot other memories - fire drills, which didn’t go quite so right, social evenings, a visit to a U.S. Navy ship in the Dockyard. Invitation to the launch of Canadian Submarines, and many other events. In 1970 I had to review my family’s circumstances both with my children’s education and my prospects at work. The answer seemed to lie with a move back to London, where I had lived and worked before. In 1971 I took a transfer to a post in London, this meant I couldn’t continue with my RNR commitments, so I reluctantly had to leave "Wildfire". The Royal Naval Reserve at H.M.S. "Wildfire" had taught me a lot I will never forget and it will always be part of my life. Alastair Miller. Plotter Grade 1, CH1 RNR. First Rating to be Recruited in 1964.

March 7, 2002 A Short History of Previous H.M.S. "Wildfire" (ex - "Nymphe") A Short history of previous "Wildfires" (photographs printed by kind permission of the Imperial War Museum) Introduction. The word "Wildfire" has its roots well established in the Navy, it being a highly inflammable compound which was fired into the enemy’s wooden wall to set them on faire. It was so effective that it gave rise to the commonly used expression "……spreads like Wildfire". The present H.M.S. "Wildfire" is the eighth ship or Naval Establishment to carry the name for the Royal Navy over the last 185 years. First. "Wildfire" (ex John). Fire vessel. 64 tons B.N 61 x 16.5 ft. Built Yarmouth 1766 Bought by the Navy in 1804. Sold 17th June, 1807 and broken up. As a fire vessel she may have been fitted with bomb shooting mortars or "Bombards". Replicas of similar bombards complement the entrance hall of the present H.M.S. "Wildfire". Second. "Wildfire" (ex G.P.O. Vessel Watersprite). Wooden paddle packet. 186 tons. 165.5 x 18.5 ft. Built Harwich 1826 for Post Office service. Added to the Navy in January 1838 and fitted for service as the Tender Sheerness in 1845. Sold or broken up December 1888. 1837 Captain - Robert White 1870 Captain - C.G. Johnson 1841 Captain - C.A. Petch 1875 Captain - Robert L. C 1846 Captain - G. Brockman Cleveland. Third. "Wildfire" (ex Hiawatha) Steam Yacht Tender. 453 tons. 162 x 18.5 ft. Built Leith. Re-named "Wildfire" and commissioned by the Navy in 1888 for harbour service at Sheerness. In 1889 she was commissioned as the Flagship to Commander-in-Chief The Nore to replace "Duncan". Renamed "Undine" in January 1907. Sold 9th July 1912. 1889 - 1890 Captain - Lieut. E.J. Sanderson Flagship T.B. Lethbridge (April 1889) Flagship C.T. Curme (August, 1890) 1897 - 1901 Staff Commander E.W.G. Hilliard (August 1897) Flagship Sir W. Kennedy (September 1900). Fourth. "Wildfire" (ex-Nymphe). Composite steam Sloop. Displacement 1140 Tons. 195 x 18 ft. Built Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in May 1988. Horizontal twin screw, triple expansion engines, 1400hp (Ind). Speed 11 - 13 knots. Armed with 8 x 5 inch B.L. guns and 8 machine guns. Crew 135 Officers and Ratings. On 31st December 1906, "Nymphe" was reduced to harbour service and renamed "Wildfire". She was commissioned for service with the Gunnery School, Sheerness. In 1908 she was the General Depot Ship at Sheerness. In 1914 she earned her battle honours "Belgian Coast" After the fall of Antwerp on 9th October, 1914 the German army made an attempt to seize the important Channel ports and six days later had reached the coast north of Ostende. Rear Admiral H.L.A. Hood, as Rear Admiral Commanding the Dover Patrol and Senior Naval Officer Dover, was despatched to support the Allied movement. His force comprised the 6th Destroyer Flotilla (24 Tribal Class) and attached light cruisers, the Third and Fourth Submarine Flotillas, the Downs Boarding Flotilla and various auxiliary patrol vessels. He also had 3 Monitors and had pressed into service any vessel which could serve as a gun vessel. Among these were the Sloops "Vestal" , "Rinaldo" and "Wildfire", the Sheerness gunnery tender Hood’s forces stemmed the first rush of the German forces on 17th and 18th October and continued to engage shore targets. On 20th October the German attack was more intense and Hood with his Flag in "Amazon" went in close to engage guns in the dunes near Westende. "Amazon" was followed by "Wildfire", "Vestal" and "Rinaldo". By 5pm all ammunition had been used and "Amazon" had been hit. Ammunition was brought up from Dover and Dunkirk and the bombardment was renewed on 21 October; it continued for 11 hours that day. The next day saw further firing but the general rush along the coast by the Germans had been halted. On 23rd and 24th October a French counter push took place and Hood’s force provided support. On 26th October the Germans returned to the attack and had many guns established on the coastal dunes. Within two days the attack had broken down and during the last day of that heavy fighting - 28th October - "Wildfire" was so badly hit on the waterline that she had to be sent back to Sheerness for repairs. It is said, although not recorded in the Official History, that "Wildfire" was reported as lost with all hands and all families were informed of the loss, only for her to appear in Sheerness having only be lost in the Fog! In any event she had earned her Battle Honour "Belgian Coast" and the Admiralty signalled that through her action "..the enemy was shown there was one flank the could not turn..". 1909 - Captain of the Dockyard H.H. Toreles. 1910 - Commissioned Gunner J.Hayes Commissioned Gunner C.W.Cock 1911 - captain of the Dockyard H.J. Prendergast (Rear Admiral October 1911). In 1916 "Wildfire" relinquished her name and was renamed "Gannet". In 1917 the "Gannet" was renamed "Pembroke" and became the accommodation ship in the Medway. She was finally sold on 10th February, 1920 after her name was transferred ashore to the new Naval Barracks at Chatham. H.M.S. "Pembroke" the Naval Barracks and Supply School at Chatham closed in 1984 together with the Chatham Naval Base thus ending 400 years of Naval Dockyard Service in the area. From this short note it could be construed that the name of the RNR unit H.M.S. "Wildfire" was here before the Naval Barracks and remained after it closed. The figurehead of "Nymphe" spent many years as a focal point just inside the Main Gate of H.M.S. "Pembroke". Together with copies of the original drawings and plans of "Nymphe" it now resides in the Officers flat of the Present "Wildfire". If your look closely at the photograph of the "Opening of H.M.S. "Wildfire" at Collingwood Block" (later in the book) you can see the plans in the top right hand corner. Of all of the "Wildfire’s" of the past "Nymphe" is probably the most interesting. This vessel was one of the last composite Sloops built and one of the only vessels of the Gunboat era to adopt twin screw propulsion. In size, with a length of 195 ft. she was shorter than the "Cutty Sark" which is 212 ft. in length and was built in 1869 nearly 20 years earlier than "Nymphe". "Cutty Sark" was also of composite construction, that is, iron frames and wooden planking. H.M.S. "Wildfire" (ex Nymphe) was a Gunboat, technically a barquentine rigged auxiliary, the sail plan became known as a ‘gunboat rig’. During her time, things were changing very quickly in the design and building of ships. In 1854 the predecessors of "Nymphe" had been created for the Crimean War, from then until the turn of the century these small vessels, as is so often has been the case, were a mainstay of our Naval Policy of carrying out policing duties in all hemispheres. "Wildfire" as a shore Establishment - Fifth, Sixth & Seventh. Fifth. "Wildfire" (ex-Cornwallis). An English Third Rate of 74 guns and 1809 Tons B.N. 177 x 48 ft. "Cornwallis" was launched in Bombay Dockyard on 12th May 1813, undocking on 8th February 1855 as a screw ship of 60 Guns. The Hulk of "Cornwallis" saw service as a jetty at Sheerness from 1865. Renamed "Wildfire" Base Ship in 1916 on suceeding as General Depot Sheerness. She was paid off in 1922 on the closing of the depot, and the jetty was broken up in 1957. A Gavel fashioned from the original teak of "Cornwallis" is still used at Mess Functions held by the present "Wildfire". A beam from the ship rests in the Officers flat of the present "Wildfire" and contains a brass plate commemorating the opening of the new Collingwood Block as H.M.S. "Wildfire" on 15th December 1984. The present Sea Cadet Corps Unit lodged with "Wildfire" in Collingwood Block carries forward the name as T.S. "Cornwallis" Medway Towns S.C.C. Sixth & Seventh. "Wildfire" as a shore establishment. The "Wildfire" building - Sheerness/Brightlingsea Base. The original building was built as a Stores building in 1821 and reclassified as a Naval Stores Establishment in 1828. On 6th February, 1854 the Royal Naval Barracks Sheerness was opened and the 1st April 1892 a Gunnery School was established. Sheerness became a Naval Depot in 1908 and was closed in 1922. The building was re-commissioned on 16th February, 1937 as a Boys Training Establishment, and in 1947 was amalgamated with H.M.S. "Vector" as a Radar Plotter Training School, which was closed in 1949 when training was transferred to H.M.S. "Dryad" & H.M.S. "Harrier".. However, the building was once again reopened in 1954 as an accommodation centre finally closing on 14th October, 1959. Eighth H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham Royal Naval Reserve 1964 - 1994

February 27, 2002 H.M.S. "Wildfire" as the Jetty at Sheerness Dockyard. Fifth. "Wildfire" (ex-Cornwallis). An English Third Rate of 74 guns and 1809 Tons B.N. 177 x 48 ft. "Cornwallis" was launched in Bombay Dockyard on 12th May 1813, undocking on 8th February 1855 as a screw ship of 60 Guns. The Hulk of "Cornwallis" saw service as a jetty at Sheerness from 1865. Renamed "Wildfire" Base Ship in 1916 on suceeding as General Depot Sheerness. She was paid off in 1922 on the closing of the depot, and the jetty was broken up in 1957. A Gavel fashioned from the original teak of "Cornwallis" is still used at Mess Functions held by the present "Wildfire". A beam from the ship rests in the Officers flat of the present "Wildfire" and contains a brass plate commemorating the opening of the new Collingwood lock as H.M.S. "Wildfire" on 15th December 1984. The present Sea Cadet Corps Unit lodged with "Wildfire" in Collingwood Block carries forward the name as T.S. "Cornwallis" Medway Towns S.C.C. Sixth & Seventh. "Wildfire" as a shore establishment. The "Wildfire" building - Sheerness The original building was built as a Stores building in 1821 and reclassified as a Naval Stores Establishment in 1828. On 6th February, 1854 the Royal Naval Barracks Sheerness was opend and the 1st April 1892 a Gunnery School was established. Sheerness became a Naval Depot in 1908 and was closed in 1922. The building was re-commissioned on 16th February, 1937 as a Boys Training Establishment which was closed in 1950. However, the building was once again reopened in 1954 as an accommodation centre finally closing on 14th October, 1959.

February 27, 2002 The "Wildfire" Building at Sheerness. H.M.S. "Wildfire" Boys Training Establishment 1937 -1950 The "Wildfire" Building at Sheerness. 1821 Built as Stores Building. 1828 Classified as R.N. Shore Establishment. 1854 6th February, opened as R.N. Barracks, Sheerness. Captains of Royal Naval Barracks Sheerness. 1854 - 1890. Name Appointed. Borne on the books of Charles Hope 1854 Wellington. John. J. Tucker. 1854 Formidable. John C. Fitzgerald. 1857 Formidable. Rundle B. Watson, C.B. 1859 Formidable Charles Wise 1860 Monarch. Charles Wise. 1861 Cumberland. Commander T. Barnadiston. 1863 Cumberland. Hon. G.D. Keane. 1863 Cumberland. Stephen S.L. Crofton. 1866 Cumberland. W.C. Chamberlain. 1868 Cumberland. Hon. A.A. Cochrane, C.B. 1869 Pembroke. W.G. Luard, C.B. 1870 Pembroke. Charles M. Aynsley. 1871 Pembroke. George W. Watson. 1872 Duncan. Charles T. Curme. 1875 Duncan. St. George C. D’Arcy Irvine. 1876 Duncan. T.B. Lethbridge. 1877 Duncan. T.B.M. Sulivan. 1879 Duncan. John D’Arcy. 1881 Duncan. James A. Poland. 1888 Duncan. F.D.C. Robinson, A.D.C. 1886 Duncan. Arthur C. Curtis. 1887 Duncan. Arthur C. Curtis. 1889 Wildfire. Leicester C. Kepple. 1890 Wildfire. 1892 1st April - Gunnery School Established. Captains of Royal Naval Gunnery School, Sheerness. 1892 - 1907. Henry H. Boys 1892 Wildfire. W.H.C. St. Clair, A.D.C. 1894 Wildfire. James L. Hammett. 1896 Wildfire. W.F.S. Mann, A.D.C. 1898 Wildfire. C. Campbell, CB., DSO., ADC. 1899 Wildfire. Charles H. Adair, A.D.C. 1902 Wildfire. Henry M.T. Tudor. 1905 Wildfire. A.A.C. Galloway, A.D.C. 1906 Wildfire. Charles H. Coke, A.D.C. 1907 Wildfire. 1908 1st July - Naval Depot, Established. Captains of Royal Naval Depot, Sheerness. 1908 -1921. Commander B. Thesiger. 1908 Wildfire. C.R. Curtis. 1909 Wildfire. G.C. Hardy. 1911. Wildfire. E.H. Rideout. 1912 Wildfire. W.G. Howard. 1912 Wildfire. C.C.W. Crispin. 1913 Wildfire. Commander F.C. Vaughn. 1916 Wildfire. Act. Captain P.C. Brown 1917 Wildfire. Commander J.F. Finlayson. 1919 Wildfire. Commander E.G. De S. Jukes Hughes. 1921 Wildfire. 1922 Closed. 1937 Re-opened as a Boys’ Training Establishment. Captains of H.M.S. "Wildfire". 1937 - 1950. Captain J. Figgins, C.B.E. 1937 Wildfire. Captain L.C.P. Tudway, DSO., DSC. 1939 Wildfire. Vice Admiral Ernest A. Taylor, CMG., CVO. 1942 Wildfire. Captain P.G. Wodehouse, DSO. 1943 Wildfire. Captain H.R. Conway. 1946 Wildfire. Captain C.T. Jellicoe CB., DSO., DSC*. 1947 Wildfire. Commander J.G. Forbes, OBE., 1948 Wildfire. Lt. Commander J.R.F.W. Green, MBE., DSC., 1948 Wildfire. 1950 - Closed. 1954 Re-opened as Accommodation Centre - Known as Wildfire Building. Officers-in-Charge "Wildfire" Building, Sheerness 1954 - 1959. Lt. Commander Williams. 1954 Pembroke. Lt. Commander Mitchell. 1955 Pembroke. Lieutenant Smithers. 1956 Pembroke. Lt. Commander T.E. Goodwin. 1957 Pembroke 1959 14th October - Closed.