The Senior Rates Guard, HMS Mercury 1982
by Dave Morris (ex-WOCY )

In 1982 the navy had reached a position where it had over recruited communicators and had landed itself with an unacceptable `bulge'. Ratings finishing communications training at Mercury had no ships to go to and therefore spent increasingly longer periods as `off-coursemen'. During this period they were, where possible, sent on loan draft to ships or Commcens for experience, failing this they were sent on non communication loan drafts or retained in Mercury preferably doing communications tasks but often on general duties. All in all not a very satisfactory state of affairs, certainly no real alternative to joining their first ship proper and all the stability of professional progression which that would bring.

Having allowed the length of waiting time spent before receiving first proper sea draft to reach 12 months the navy had to do something drastic - and they did. The only immediate answer now to quickly reduce the bulge was to stop recruiting for 12 months. So the fortnightly trickle of trainees arriving from HMS Raleigh dried up. This meant that the numbers of classes gradually dwindled as they finished and `passed out'. As the numbers of trainees on course progressively reduced every available trainee and ex-trainee in Mercury was roped in to maintain the New Entry Training Section (Kelly Squadron) Monday morning and Friday afternoon divisions as a viable event. This was particularly important in the case of the fortnightly passing out parade for the finishing classes which was attended by family and friends and seen as an important PR exercise. This stop to recruiting communicators meant that there would eventually come a time when Kelly Squadron would hold it's final Friday divisions, the last passing out parade, for many months as the final class under training finished course.

Click for larger image There was a feeling that this historical event should be marked in some appropriate way and it was decided that the appropriate occasion for this would be at the penultimate divisions, i.e. the last Kelly Squadron divisions without a passing out class and spectators. The decision was made to secretly `inject' into the parade a second ceremonial guard, a Senior Rates guard composed entirely of Fleet Chief Petty Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers. No easy task, the hardest part of which was to press gang the minimum number of volunteers required to make a viable guard and of course one suitable and competent individual for the important and critical job of Guard Commander.

A suitable guard, in both quantity and quality, was soon mustered (coerced?). It would consist of Kelly Squadron personnel. A Radio Supervisor (Gary Finch) who had just finished his stint as Commander of the trainees Guard agreed to be Guard Commander. The Guard itself would consist of Kelly Squadron Administration Staff - one Fleet Chief Communication Yeoman (Dave Morris), one Chief Petty Officer Physical Training Instructor (Pete `Lex' Barker), one Regulating Petty Officer, two Communication Yeomen (John Land and Andy Peel) and one Radio Supervisor (Ted Jones). Although secrecy was paramount there were of course some people who had to know as they would be required to contribute to the success, or otherwise, of the venture. These were the Chief Petty Officer Gunnery Instructor and his Armoury team and the Kelly Divisional Officer (Lt. Dave Cherry) who was also the establishment Gunnery Officer. Later on the Padre would be brought into the secret not just for divine guidance but for other reasons which will become apparent.

Click for larger image The Chief GI (Sam Leitch) would conduct training in the large Drill Shed behind closed doors during the lunch hour. There was an element of risk in this as the armoury staff had to transport 6 rifles and a cutlass in secret from the Armoury to the Drill Shed and back. The noise had to be kept to a minimum which was completely against the CGIs nature, and the Drill Shed had to be cleared before the trainees mustered for afternoon instruction. Very hush hush.

Training was not easy to start with. Most of the senior rates had not carried out rifle drill for some years and in some cases had not done any since the introduction of the SLR. They had only ever drilled with an old fashioned 303. However, patience, practice, determination and an element of fun soon brought competence in arms drill then in marching and the routine for the day. It was surprising how nervous everyone was, everybody knew that it would only work if they were perfect in turn out and performance on the day. Any major errors and it would fall flat, particularly in front of the trainees. Too much pride at stake.

On the appointed Friday the guard members all arrived in the camp early and took their uniforms and accessories to the Church Hall (hence the Padre's involvement). They would dress and prepare themselves behind the closed door of the hall overlooking the road from where the afternoon's parade would start. Later on the Armoury staff with the usual secrecy would transfer the cutlass, rifles and webbing, duly spit and polished, to the hall. Soon after lunch the SRs made their way to the hall long before anyone else appeared in the area for divisions.

For anyone who does not know Mercury it might be prudent to set the scene. Mercury has no parade ground as such. The camp is built on and around the area that was once the Peel family estate, `Leydene House'. The imposing mini stately home, always referred to as `The Main House' right up to the end of the establishment, was originally the Administration Block and Wardroom but for many years had just been the Wardroom. The wide tarmac area in front of this building was where divisions took place, but even this had its limitations - C-in-Cs inspection divisions took place on a fenced in all weather sports pitch.

The road running past the Wardroom that incorporated the `parade area' joined at right angles the somewhat meandering `main road' road that ran through the south area of the camp. To the left of the junction was the road area where platoons would muster before marching on to divisions. Opposite this muster area was a row of Nissan huts that included the church and the church hall. At this time of the year the whole of this area was hidden by substantial bushes from the view of anyone on parade.

Click for larger image With the SRs now fully prepared for and highly nervous about their forthcoming ordeal, the usual pre divisions events took shape. The platoons formed up on the road, facing the church hall entrance, and the markers were marched on. The parade officer at this point was, as usual, the Kelly Squadron Admin Officer (K2), a senior Lieutenant (SD)(C) (Brian Lloyd). Once markers were in position the parade officer ordered `March on the Divisions' which was accompanied by the usual unmelodic taped music. Once the platoons had moved off the Trainees Guard was brought round from an adjacent area to form up on the same road ready to march on. At this time the New Entry Training Officer (K1), a Lieutenant Commander (C) (G. Ewins), walked down the road to enter the Wardroom from the rear to wait inside the main door to make his entrance on to the parade. Nervous eyes watched from the hall as he stopped to say a few words to the Trainees Guard before disappearing through the Main House Courtyard. This was the cue. This was the off.

The reaction and looks on the faces of the Trainees Guard, and Guard Commander, were a sight to behold as the church hall door opened and out silently trooped the Senior Rates guard and guard commander to form up on their right, between them and the parade. The Trainees Guard was immediately briefed on what was happening and how to respond to spoken commands. In the meantime on the parade the Chief GI, satisfied with the positioning of the platoons, approached the parade officer and requested him to march on the guard. The parade officer turned right to face up the road and ordered `March on the guard'. He then heard the order `Guard, by the right, quick march' and the taped `Hearts of Oak' started. All as normal, so far.

The first indication the parade officer had that all was not as normal was when the Senior Rates guard instead of the trainees guard appeared round the corner to march down to a position in front of him. The grin on his face was sight to behold and there were amazed looks on the faces of the rest of the parade who were hard pushed to remain still and silent. The Senior Rates guard carried out the usual functions - halt, turn into line, order arms, dress, open order, dress. Once the normal routine was completed, thankfully without error, the Chief GI marched up to the still grinning parade officer, saluted and requested `Would you like to order the Number 2 guard to march on please Sir', which the still bemused parade officer did.

Click for larger imageThe trainees guard marched on and, forming behind the Senior Rates guard completed the same standard routine. Once all were in position the parade officer proceeded to the rear to report the parade to K1 who was waiting inside the main entrance to the wardroom. He later said that he thought he had heard the order `march on the guard' given twice but had thought nothing of it. Having taken the report he proceeded towards the saluting base and at first noticed nothing strange, perhaps the guard was a little further back than normal? As he rounded the Trainees Guard he would have caught his first site of the Seniors Rates guard. To his credit he hardly missed a step as with a smile on his face he climbed onto the saluting base to receive the salute - `Number 1 guard, general salute present arms' - `Number 2 guard, general salute present arms'. From then on the guards were addressed as `Number 1' (Senior Rates) and `Number 2' (Trainees). Having taken the salute K1 inspected the guards, SRs first. He entered into the spirit and even asked the Chief PTI how his Morse training was going!

When the inspection of division was finished the parade retired down the road and the Senior Rates guard led the march past two widely grinning officers on the saluting dais.

Once back outside the church hall the Senior Rates guard was dismissed - with great relief. We had not upset the parade, we had done everything correct, we had got away with it and it was a lot of fun.