H.M.S."Wildfire" Chatham Royal Naval Reserve 1964 -1989 The Ships Company 1989. Welcome to the H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham RNR 1964 -1989 Website. SEE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE ON HOW TO USE THIS SITE. This site is now a PILOT site, I had hoped to have it completed by the beginning of June 2002 But events have moved on and a new more professional site is now being developed which we hope to complete by the original date. See www.hmswildfire.org.uk This site is an edited version of a 25th Commemorative Booklet of H.M.S. "Wildfire" Chatham Royal Naval Reserve from 1964 - 1989. The original booklet was written in 1989 at the time of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations. Although originally promised by Senior Officer at Portsmouth that it would be published and "I am sure that if you take it to the Dockyard Printers in Portsmouth it would be printed - I think we have some funds" this never happened, it certainly did get to Portsmouth, I took it myself, even had a pint or two with the head printer - but alas as thing go eventually I was copied a letter to Commander in Chief, Naval Home Command to the effect that the printing could not be justified in terms of the existing budgets. Sad - but that is life in a blue suit as they say. Anyway I managed to retrieve the box with the draft inside it from Portsmouth, and that is as far as it got. I move on from "Wildfire" and the whole thing got forgot. That is until 2001 when, after I had retired I received a letter from a son of the Late Lieutenant Commander "Sandy" Sanderson, regrettably informing me that "Sandy" had passed away and the son had heard at Chatham Navy Days, or some such opening day that I did put together this book - and could he have a copy. Regrettably I had to inform him that the book was never published. But stimulated by his interest in his fathers connection with "Wildfire" and his own memories of Saturday swimming session in the dockyard pool with other "Wildfire" children. I decided that I would endeavour to locate and find out what happened to the original draft. After a time I found the original box, untouched for nearly 15 years at the Strood Study Centre, in Strood now part of The Medway Towns. Through the good offices of Mrs. Crowe, the Manager I was able to borrow the document with a view to restarting the book. Technology has moved on since 1989 - I felt I could make a pretty good hash at it with today’s DTP methods we all have on our PC’s. So I brought it to France and have put the book together - copies should be available some time after the end of May. If you are interested in a copy please let me know. At about the same time I realised that it was the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the year 2003. See ("LINKS" at bottome of section)http://www.rnr100.com So after some searching I was put in touch with the Project Team and I am sending to them a copy of the Book when it is finished as my personal contribution to that celebration. It was suggested to me by the Project Team that I might like to put the details on-line. This is what has resulted. Please bear in mind that the details on-line do differ slightly from the details of the book, and the book has been kept as it was written - "as a moment in time" so the details are as was in 1989. The only addition that was not included at the original time is the contribution from Alastair Miller, the first rating to serve at H.M.S. "Wildfire". Which I deemed would add to the retype. Please enjoy the site and I would like to receive your comments via e-mail. Bill Hagger France. February 2002 LINKS: 100th Anniversary of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Introductions By the Commanding Officers during 1989 Introductions by both of the Commanding Officers serving during 1989. Commander A.D. Kirby, RD*, RNR. and Commander C.R. Lee, RD., RNR. Commanding Officers 1989 By Commander A.D. Kirby, RD*., Royal Naval Reserve. It is with particular satisfaction and pride that I find myself one of the two Commanding Officers of H.M.S. "Wildfire" during our 25th Anniversary year. My own connections with the Unit cover all but 8 of those eventful 25 years, having transferred as a young Lieutenant from H.M.S. "Cambria" on taking up employment in Kent. As with climbing mountains the perspective and the perceptions from the top are always different to those held when at a more lowly position, but it seems to me as I hand over Command that the last few years have been one of the most testing times in the Unit’s history. Hand in hand with the re-definition and the validation of certain aspects of the role of the Royal Naval Reserve has gone a much more rigorous drive to ensure that the Reserves provide value for money. Both objectives are laudable in themselves, but neither are new. H.M.S. "Wildfire" was founded on the identification of a particular need to provide Reservist support to the local Naval Command in the Medway, and the ships company have demonstrated themselves over the years to be a cost effective means of providing that support. For us the last few years have seen much change; the amalgamation of the Headquarters Plotters and Communicators into the Ops(HQ) branch, the development of the Communications Branch with Radio Operators (Tactical) - both men and women, the birth of and then the demise of Radio Operators (General)and the introduction of Medical Support Assistants. Latterly we have moved from being a Communications Training Centre to and Ops(HQ) Training Centre. It is and important product of these changes that we have a clearly defined task and a job to do which the Navy needs us to do. It is only through this that we can have a future. None of this has been entirely without trauma, but it is very much to the credit of individual officers and ratings that the inner spirit of H.M.S. "Wildfire", now 25 years old, remains very much alive. Alive, too, are the strong links between the Unit and the local community, and it is especially rewarding for us to share our celebrations with both Gillingham and Rochester upon Medway Councils. We are deeply grateful for the local community of the Medway Towns, our main recruiting grounds. I look forward to at least a further 25 years of growth and development. A.D. KIRBY, Commander, RD*, Royal Naval Reserve. Commanding Officer. By Commander C.R. Lee, RD., Royal Naval Reserve. When I took over as Commanding Officer of H.M.S. "Wildfire"" this summer I was very aware of the long naval tradition in the area. After 23 years in the Royal Naval Reserve and coming from a family with strong naval traditions of its own, I naturally had a deep respect for the importance of the regional association - this was enhanced by the fact that my parents had lived not far away at Milton Regis. And so to some extent it was a home coming. The sadness of course is the "Wildfire" is the last outpost of that great naval tradition in Chatham. The positive side, is that it gives "Wildfire" an enormous responsibility and opportunity to not only maintain the naval feel in the area, but in some smaller way to be just as much part of the community as was the Royal Navy. H.M.S. "Wildfire" is not part of some Dad’s Navy - the days of affectionate inefficiency are gone. The modern Royal Naval Reserve has to be just as good as its regular counterpart. Sometimes because it’s under such close scrutiny, the RNR has to be better than anyone else and "Wildfire" is no exception. But "Wildfire" is not simply a name; it represents people. And the Officers and Ratings, both men and women, have to come from the this area of Medway Towns and Kentish Villages and Parishes: in that single way alone, the great naval tradition of Kent is being well preserved in "Wildfire" and is something of which we can all be proud as we salute the past 25 years and more importantly, the ones yet to come. C.R. Lee, Commander RD., Royal Naval Reserve, Commanding Officer.

Foreword by Commander In Chief Naval Home Command FOREWORD By Admiral Sir Jeremy Black, KCB., DSO., MBE. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NAVAL HOME COMMAND. Office of the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command PORTSMOUTH PO1 3LR The volunteer has always had an important part to play in our country. This book is a record of a small but important crew of such volunteers, men and women, who devote their spare time to support the Royal Navy. H.M.S. "Wildfire" is one of the 29 Units situated around the United Kingdom, generally in areas where there is no regular Navy presence. At Chatham and in the Medway area, with its long naval traditions, it is especially encouraging to see the good relationship which exists between the Royal Naval Reserve and the local authorities. This peacetime association is an important link with the community. In times of trouble it would be the ability of the volunteer to meet his or her war task which will be vital to the security of the nation. I congratulate WILDFIRE on their Silver Jubilee and on the production of this commemorative book which I commend to all its readers. September 1989. Jeremy Black, Admiral COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NAVAL HOME COMMAND.

Preface and Acknowledgements. Preface and Acknowledgments. The original idea for this commemorative book grew from a desire to see a sorry looking green three drawer cabinet stuffed with so many momentos and old photographs become a more respectable reminder to us all of the work and effort which has been put into H.M.S. "Wildfire" over so many years by so many people. I inherited the cabinet in 1984. During my time as the Unit Public Relations Officer I decided that it would be very nice if for our 2lst Anniversary if we could collect a photograph of all our previous Commanding Officers for display. Through that exercise I was able to contact and talk to all of them including Captain RICHARDSON, DSC., Royal Navy (Rtd), our first Commanding Officer, who regrettably died during 1988 and did not see his creation through to its' Jubilee. The sheer enthusiasm of these men resolved me not to allow the efforts of all ex-"WILDFIRE's", however humble to go unrecorded. In compiling this commemorative book I have attempted to produce, in a simple form, a account of the history and spirit of H.M.S. "Wildfire" as a Royal Naval Reserve Unit. It was never my intention to produce a definitive chronicle of people and events covering the period. My aim was simply to sort the mixture of photographs and information collected and stuffed into that green cabinet, which had been added to by so many people, into a momento of our service with "Wildfire". I hope this collection of photographs and names recall to you just what "Wildfire" is and was about - both in terms of her role in the Defence of our nation, and spirit which we, the members of her ships company, have been privileged to have been part of during this time. May that role and the spirit, long continue until another time when somebody else has the duty to inherit a green cabinet. Personally I would like to thank them all for so much fun, so much commitment and so many friends over so many years. Thank you. I am sure that for a variety of reasons many omissions and inaccuracies must occur in book such as this, there must be many a picture and many a person who should have been mentioned and wasn't, and for that I apologies. I must also admit that as the sources from which much of the material and information has come are both unrecorded and very often hearsay, I cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy nor the correct sequence of events. I have tried honestly to present a picture which to those who know "Wildfire" will relate and will be able to elaborate upon to their friends and family. To acknowledge individually everybody who has given any help, advice or suggestions, together with their own private photographs, would fill the book itself. However, I would like to record my thanks to all members and ex-members of H.M.S. "Wildfire" and the Wildfire Association who submitted photographs, information and articles for inclusion, they were all interesting and many most amusing. If they were not used please understand the limitations of such a book, and accept my thanks. I would particularly like to thank Mr. Alastair Miller for his help and Mr. I.F. Ilderton from Grays, Essex for his photographs, taken during his time with H.M.S. "Wildfire" at Sheerness circa 1939. The Rochester & Chatham News have also very kindly allowed us to use photographs, and the Imperial War Museum have very kindly provided copies of old "Wildfire's". All previous Commanding Officers have been most helpful and I thank them for putting up with my continuous phone calls asking for more information. Finally may I thank Commander Andy KIRBY for his personal contributions and his constant encouragement along the way. I shall also be forever grateful to that merry band who came to my home in Folkestone and kindly proof read the whole thing. F.W. HAGGER, RD., Lieutenant Commander, Royal Naval Reserve, 1 June, 1989.

How to Use this site & Contents. H.M.S. "Wildfire" circa 1910 How to Use this Site. This site is a "Freehost" site - that means it does not cost me anything to design and display. But it has some limitations - it is designed for Businesses. Therefore you will find the Website pages are being used for information which does not quite fit the descriptions. You will have to use your "Page Up/Page Down" Buttons quite a bit. Therefore please interpret the pages as: HOME - Introductions etc. SHOP - A Year on Year Photgraphic "Scrap-Book" (each "Product" = a specific year (or years) of activity). PRODUCTS - The "Who's Who" of Wildfire RNR. (nominal Lists etc). ABOUT US - The Divisional Reports and Photographs as at 1989. NEWS - History as a Royal Naval Ship/Establishment(Permanent RN Staff etc)1854 - 1989. CONTACT - As is - How to contact me. I also regret that it has not been possible to properly replicate some of the photos - hences some very small print and detail (but I am working on improving it !). I hope this does not detract from your enjoyment - If you want a good copy then you will have to contact me for a copy of the Commemorative Booklet, (via Contact). It should be ready by the time this site is completed - that is around June 2002. List of Contents. i. Frontispiece. ii. List of Contents. iii. Introductions by Commander A.D. Kirby, RD., Royal Naval Reserve, and Commander C.R. Lee, RD., Royal Naval Reserve. Commanding Officers during 1989. iv. Foreword by Admiral Sir Jeremy Black, KCB., DSO., MBE. Commander in Chief Naval Home Command. v. Preface and Acknowledgements by Lieutenant Commander F.W. Hagger, RD.,Royal Naval Reserve. vi. The Ships Company 1989. vii. The Communications Department. viii. The Operations Department. ix. The Naval Control of Shipping Department. x. The Medical Department. xi. The New Entry Division. xii. The Executive, Administration, and Training Department. 1. A Short History of previous "Wildfire’s". 2. Commanding Officers of H.M.S. "Wildfire" 1854 - 1959. 3. A Short History of H.M.S. "Wildfire" Royal Naval Reserve Training Centre. 4. Commanding Officers of H.M.S. "Wildfire" 1964 - 1969. 5. Gillingham Borough - Our Adopted Town - Councillor John Lee, Mayor. 6. City of Rochester upon Medway - Councillor Barry Flack, Mayor. 7. H.M.S. "Wildfire" Royal Naval Reserve - the Story and the people in pictures. a. The Commissioning - Thursday 10th September, 1964. b. Wildfire Remembered. (a) By Commander John Davies, VRD., Royal Naval Reserve, Commanding Officer H.M.S. "Wildfire" 1969 -1974. (b) By Plotter Grade 1 Alastair Miller, CH1. The first rating to join H.M.S. "Wildfire", 23, April, 1964 ( c) H.M.S. "Wildfire" - The LCHQ Chatham as it was 1964. d. 1964 - 1965 LCHQ Chatham at work "Wildfire" ships company sea trip - visit to Ostend e. 1966 - 1967 Naval Reserve Forces Parade - RNB Chatham. f. 1968 - 1969 Sea trip to Ostende, A Wedding & our First Honour g. 1969 - 1970 Shooting Practice h. 1970 - 1971 New Members join, old members leave and the rest support the Bar. i. 1971 - 1973 "Wildfire" ships company sea trip aboard H.M.S. "Leopard" - visit to Antwerp. Portsmouth Regatta. j. Visitors from Gibraltar, A Jubilee (or two), Social Life and a Wedding. k. 1977 - 1978 Royal Naval Reserve Regatta at Chatham. Admirals Inspection, Blue Coat Band and Presentation of another BEM. l. 1978 - 1979 "Wildfire" ships company sea trips H.M.S. "Ghurka" - visit to Amsterdam. H.M.S. " Falmouth" - visit to Den Helder. m. 1980 - 1981 Children’s Party. n. 1982 - 1983 Fund Raising for the KGFS (Kings Fund for Sailors). The Whaler Race. Competing for the "Sanderson" Cup. Farewell to the ‘Tunnel’ and a C.O. "H.M.S. "Wildfire" moves to Collingwood Block A new C.O. Public Duties. o. 1984 Closure of Chatham Naval Base, Adoption by Gillingham Borough Council, Rededication of H.M.S. "Wildfire". P. 1985 A new Role for H.M.S. "Wildfire" and her ships company. The Chichester March. q. 1986 Joint "Exped" with H.M.S. "Paragon" (Preston C.T.C.). r. 1987 "Exped" to Crowborough Camp. Senior Rates Mess Dinner. s. 1988 Bisley ’88 More Charity Work. t. 1989 Our Jubilee and a new Commanding Officer Graces Bar. Awards and Decorations bestowed upon members of H.M.S. "Wildfire" 1964 - 1989. Permanent Staff H.M.S. "Wildfire". Nominal list of Ships Company - 1964 - 1989. - Officers - Ratings. - Wildfire Association.