NOSTALGIA: Young navy recruits captured tying themselves up in knots

I wonder how many ex-matelots can remember being a new recruit?
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2017, 13:34 BST
Updated 19th Dec 2017, 13:36 BST
New entrants into the Royal Navy are being taught how to tie knots at HMS Collingwood, Fareham, in November 1940.New entrants into the Royal Navy are being taught how to tie knots at HMS Collingwood, Fareham, in November 1940.
New entrants into the Royal Navy are being taught how to tie knots at HMS Collingwood, Fareham, in November 1940.

There came a time in all their training for the learning of how to tie knots.

Everyone would look on in wonder at the instructor as he twisted and tied scores of knots.

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No one ever thought they would get through that part of the course but eventually everything fell into place.

Kingston Cross pre-1910. Take a look at the lady crossing Kingston Road with the pushchair.Kingston Cross pre-1910. Take a look at the lady crossing Kingston Road with the pushchair.
Kingston Cross pre-1910. Take a look at the lady crossing Kingston Road with the pushchair.

We see new recruits, right, who are possibly Hostilities Only (HO)ratings at HMS Collingwood, getting into a tangle.

On the corner of Idsworth Road and Tangier Road, Copnor, circa 1928, we see one of the first batch of buses after being re-bodied.

It is a 1926 ex-London General B-type body. Brand new in 1919, they were all taken out of service by 1931.

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The board to the left advertises business premises to be erected on that site by builder H.E. Pitt

In the previous photo it looks as though the girl in the white dress is walking on the pavement. But I think she is sitting on the pram handle. (Barry Cox collection)In the previous photo it looks as though the girl in the white dress is walking on the pavement. But I think she is sitting on the pram handle. (Barry Cox collection)
In the previous photo it looks as though the girl in the white dress is walking on the pavement. But I think she is sitting on the pram handle. (Barry Cox collection)

In the pre-1910 photograph we are looking north along Kingston Road, Buckland, at the junction with Kingston Crescent. The tall building is the Baptist Church, which now a drinking establishment.

The lady on the right crossing Kingston Road with a pushchair is either a mother or, perhaps, a nanny taking her charges shopping.

Take a look at the little girl in white who appears at first glance to be walking along the pavement.

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Now take a look at the enlargement – it is a close up of the same lady.

On the corner of Idsworth Road and Tangier Road, Copnor, circa 1928. The first batch of buses after being re-bodied.On the corner of Idsworth Road and Tangier Road, Copnor, circa 1928. The first batch of buses after being re-bodied.
On the corner of Idsworth Road and Tangier Road, Copnor, circa 1928. The first batch of buses after being re-bodied.

It looks as though the little girl is in fact sitting on the handle of the pushchair and the lady has her right arm around her, pushing the pushchair with her left hand.

This could be an everyday scene even today with busy mothers in the same situation.

Related topics:Nostalgia