In London, I did the usual tourist things. Believe it or not, one thing I was keen to see was the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum, dated 196 B.C.  It was the key to discovering Egypt’s secrets.  

         While visiting the famous Temple Bar  I met a barrister who told me he was the legal advisor to the Admiralty, and the Governor of Britain’s largest officers’ training ship, HMS Worcester. He said he was looking for ways to improve training on the ship and was seeking outsiders’ opinions.

         Would I be prepared to do that for him? I was curious and interested so I said,   “Why not.”

         He arranged for me to go to Greenwich.

         A midshipman met me at an old abbey site, saluted me, and rowed me out to HMS Worcester. I was met by Captain Gordon Steele V.C.

          I was overwhelmed when I noticed he was wearing a crimson VC ribbon.  I wondered what he thought when greeting a young Kiwi sailor of such modest rank.

         He had won his VC when he was second in command of a  coastal motor boat after the Captain was killed when he was a part of the North Russian Relief Force.  

         The Worcester was Britain’s biggest officers’ training ship. Boys were taught all the basic skills needed to become outstanding sailors.  It was an imposing school.

         Lying beside the Worcester was the famous tea ship, the Cutty Sark. It was being used for some classes at that time and used as a store ship. These days it is now a museum and the Worcester, become redundant, was sent to the broker’s yard in Belgium in 1978.

         Since then the college has been renamed the Thames Nautical College.

         My verbal report to the governor was given over dinner at Claridge’s Hotel.  He said, “It’s  the best meal available in London.”

          I remember the roast beef was wheeled out to the table and carved directly onto our plates – a very impressive meal for someone who had been on bulk naval rations.

         I explained the difference between the New Zealand Navy and the Royal Navy.

         In New Zealand, the officers and the ratings had been to school together. There was a mutual trust and camaraderie between them. Many officers had been school prefects and had earned their leadership roles.

         My main recommendation was in peacetime, the gap between the officers and ratings could be reduced by giving the lower deck more responsibilities for certain tasks.        He disagreed and said in his opinion the gap was not wide enough. But that’s the class system in Britain.

         I still believe improved human relations and teamwork could build a stronger service – especially in peacetime. Much will depend on good education and training.

         Today’s leaders need to be skilled in communication, technology, and human relations.

         He asked me if I would like to join the Royal Navy. I declined his kind offer and thanked him.   I had no desire to spend my working life in the Northern Hemisphere.

         I had my family to consider, and have yet to find a better country to live in than New Zealand, having done jobs in many lands.  

Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

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