IN PERSON
Illustrated Talk
The Alverbank Hotel, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2QT
Enjoy a lighthearted, musically entuned, and professionally illustrated presentation about HMS St Vincent over a 40-year period, and the training the Boy Sailors endured…
From 1928 to 1968, 700 ‘boy sailors’ aged 15 years old, trained every day for a year, to become the crème de la crème of the Royal Navy. Most failed!
HMS St Vincent Association was bequeathed the entire photographic collection of the Admiralty contracted, Gosport-based photographers, Lawrence & Sons, and these images are used to good effect in this amusing yet informative presentation by a former ‘Boy’, Darby Allen, who suffered there in 1959-60, yet lives to tell the tale!
Darby will also touch on the history of the site from its early 18th Century beginnings, including its 75-year occupation by the Royal Marine Light Infantry.
He will attempt to retain your attention for 60 minutes with his recollections, singing, dancing, wit, and armed sentries! Whether he succeeds will be up to you, but it’ll be fun trying…
Duration 60 minutes
Event Times
Wednesday 13 September: 1900
Booking Details
No booking required
Access
Low-ramped entrance and door thresholds; suitable for all types of wheelchairs.
Additional Information
Please arrive early to get seated and comfy. The bar will be open for hot and cold drinks before and after the talk. The Alverbank is a Grade 2 listed building with stunning views across the Solent.
Organised by
HMS St Vincent Association Old Boys Association
Directions
Turn at the Alverbank sign opposite the sea wall at Stokes Bay.
