L/Boy-P.J. Pope
L/Boy P.J.Pope-85Rodney Div.Boy Bell-Hood Div
Indefatigable Anglesey, North Wales -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Pope -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I joined Indefatigable on the 13th of September 1961, and left on 18th July 1963; see attached file of 'Discharge Certificate'. The Captain Super-intendent was George Washington Irvin (yes really), a seaman of the "old school" who would today be considered not only non-PC, but "rough with it." School was divided into four Divisions, Drake, Raleigh, Rodney and Hood (colours red,blue,green and yellow.) All boys were numbered there being about 130 -140 at any one time. Each division had a PO Boy and two Leading Boys in charge there being a CPO Boy of the School. Interdivisional rivalry was actively encouraged and depending upon the encouragement of the divisional officer instructors could be interesting from an Anthropologist's angle, if studying tribal warfare.
The food was pretty awful however a goodly and unlimited quantity of sliced Mothers Pride stowed in a large rack at one end of the messdeck kept us all from starvation. My friend Terry Kelly could get a whole meal (well mixed) spread thinly into a stack of sandwiches some 10" tall. We didn't exactly starve but were constantly hungry, no doubt due to the very long and physical day. The thing I did retain from this period is the knack to eat anything (if it doesn't move too quickly) and a love of bread with meals! This has been helpful during my time at sea. The day started at 0630, 0730 on Sundays with either a swim in the pool (unheated) summer and winter, or a quick dash through the shower. two divisions per activity. Then it was clean ship before breakfast at 0800. Morning parade at 0900 and then classes/training until lunch 1230 and then a full afternoon ending at 1630. Tea was 1730 followed by more cleaning/study/practise etc. and to bed by 1930. These times are approximate.
Training was along RN lines as most of the instructors were from this service. Laundry was done by hand with large bars of soap and lukewarm water which didn't prevent almost all the boys taking a great pride in having very clean and smart uniforms, sartorial elegance was the order of the day when on parade and also when on "liberty". Collars and whitefront edgings had to have the correct shade of light blue, trousers, blouses and silks all creased correctly and sharply in the right places caps bent and worn at the correct angle and name talleys tied with an ornate (usualy false) bow. All this was achieved without the aid of irons or modern appliances and without attracting the attention of any instructor who was on the lookout for non-regulation items or coulours. Cleaning polishing etc. was a constant operation all done by hand the decks of oak board were polished with large quantities of RONUK polish, and gleamed like glass. The fire risk doesn't bear thinking about!
Inspections were numerous and a cake was presented each week to the cleanest dormitory, a prize indeed. Bullying of a very violent or pyschological nature was rife, black eyes cuts lumps and bruises often in evidence discipline was military with defaulters doing extra and unpleasant tasks, the ultimate was caning which given the violent nature of some boys wasn't much of a deterrent the weals and bruises even being seen as a status symbol that you could "take it." The boys came from all walks of life, many from backgrounds which today would entitle them to their own Social Services team, some came as an alternative to reform schools and others like myself from a middle class upbringing.
This mixture was responsible for many of the less agreeable aspects of the school there being very little in the way of attention or interest taken in those who were having a "hard time." I could go on at more length enough to say that I didn't particurlarly enjoy my time at "Indie" even though it gave me a good insight into the make up of the male society of this country over the last 30 years. The educational level was not high, given the vastly differing mental abilities of the boys, those of us who had the capacity rose and the rest didn't, in those days more reliance was placed on physical and manual ability than education, it was after all a school for would be seaman. Some of us 3 or 4 every term managed to reach an educational standard which was acceptable within the industry as evidence that we could be trained as deck cadets/apprentices.
The remainder went to sea as deck boys/catering boys in ther Merchant Navy or joine the RN as boy seamen. Sports were fives, rugby or some athletics, naturally rowing (cutters) and sailing were indulged in on the Menai Straight. The ethos of the school I understand changed after I left probably due to the new Superintendent who took over. The regime would have changed when Mr. Wade became the Superintendent, he was ex RN and much more enlightened than GWI, Wade was 2 I/C when I was there and must have been itching to make some changes. Caning was usually carried out in the rigging loft (I think) and as I never participated I cannot tell you what the sequence of events was. Rig of the day was No. 8 blue shirts and blue trousers, boots and gaiters for parades, blue jersey in the winter. Sleeves always rolled above the elbow.
I suppose you have to look at the big picture when the type of violence that was present at Inde is concerned. A lot of the boys in those days came from family backgrounds and inner city areas that were far from perfect, "standing up for yourself" was a survival requirement. Also you find that many teenagers who are perhaps not very articulate and have difficulty in verbal communication will get their point across with a smack in the mouth! There are also the types who are big fish (physically) in a small pond and enjoy the benefits thereof. Put all this together in a school were being "tough" was seen as a requirement by the senior staff and bullying becomes a fact of life. Yes, if it got really out of hand then steps were taken to discipline the bully, however getting the evidence is difficult when you are again up against the "not telling tales" syndrome! Put this together with a large old building, full of nooks crannies, dormitories, corridors etc. and the opportunity is endless for clandestine violence. It didn't all stop after Tom Browns Schooldays! I know that it all changed in the 1970's but then they type of boy that they were teaching changed as well as the senior staff attitude.
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