On Valentines day 2005, at the age of 66, I was blessed with the birth of a grand daughter and, realising that I would probably have crossed over the bar before she married, I decided to compile a written  record of my early life for the grand children.  I would not. by any stretch of the imagination. consider it to be an autobiography, but rather something more akin to a signed confession which, as it stands, I doubt will endow me with total absolution but, as they say in Tescos, ‘Every little helps’.

While trawling through the Internet for additional information, I was staggered by the number and quality of our Naval web sites, and it occurred to me that the section covering my twelve year stint in the Andrew, although written with the grand children in mind, may be of some interest to my contemporaries of the time, so hence this web site.

Everything  I have written, except for facts from photographs or written evidence,  has been based on memories, and even these at times can be deceptive.  And, although what to one person may be rain, to another may be drizzle and, to a third, a downpour, I have tried to be as accurate and honest as one can be.

And, if I have made any glaring errors, please feel free to pen your own amendments - I will be in no position to sue.   If, on the other hand, I have missed something which others remember, then it was due to an oversight and failing memory on my part and in no way have I tried to hide something.
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Dedicated then to all those paragons who create and maintain our Naval web sites and heritage.  If it was still available, I would invite everyone of you round for ‘Sippers’.

So, in a light hearted manner and with a total disregard for Political Correctness, (and before the Tablets wear off), let’s publish and be damned.

Welcome aboard.



John Ash,  (AKA Jerry Hatrick)  Leading Radio Operator