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Mr A (Billy) Blyth CSI

Mr A (Billy) Blyth Chief Staff Instructor at his retirement ceremony July 1959

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Billy Blythe – LangA58 – 16/09/2009, 14:59

Always strict, but kind and gentlemanly.

Billy Blythe – AllinD59 – 17/09/2009, 17:22

I concur with the previous remarks. I was his ADC for his retirement parade as he said that I couldn't march properly enough !! David Allin

clarkec59 – 18/09/2009, 13:46

AllinD59 said

I concur with the previous remarks. I was his ADC for his retirement parade as he said that I couldn't march properly enough !! David Allin

David
Have you watched the film of Billy's retirement ceremony and the cadet's march past in the Gallery? I was the bugler on the day alongside the Blue Jacket's Band. But only just!
I was in the school cricket team and we had a match on one of the days set aside for a ceremony rehearsal. Jim Randall was cricket captain and wanted me to play so he took me along to Billy's cabin and asked if I could be excused. Billy turned to me in that way of his and said "Well laddie, you can either be my bugler or play cricket. What's it to be?". I certainly wasn't going to miss playing at his ceremony so I said I would attend his rehearsal. "All right laddie" he said "Off you go to play your silly game of cricket and you can be my bugler too".
His heart certainly was in the right place even though we tried his patience, which probably was quite often.
Chris

DancasterC58 – 20/09/2009, 11:54

I posted this against the boating party photograph but it may stir up a few more comments if I put it here as well.

This one brings back memories.

I was slc boats responsible for allocating the boating parties.

I was duty shag but worked the list so that I went out in a boat. We rowed up to Bursledon and had a cup of tea in the cafe there. The old biddy (she was probably all of 40) serving us mentioned that she knew Wally - we duly s*at ourselves and whipped off down the Hamble back to the SoN.

Unfortunately I was late for whatever duty it was that I was late for (sunset?) and got torn off a strip by Billy Blyth. He probably enjoyed doing whatever I should have done but came across a bit disturbed by my deriliction of duty. I remember the row to Bursledon and the tea as being pretty good though.

I remember Rob Drakes in the window upstairs laughing his socks off!

You are right - Billy had his heart in the right place but it was not always evident to the timorous 16 year old!

Chris

AllinD59 – 21/09/2009, 16:17

Hi Chris, Yes i have watched film of the the march past, I guess that's me standing alongside Billy Blythe as he takes the salute, but i cannot really recall much & I certainly don't recognise myself!

Billy and the March Past – clarkec59 – 21/09/2009, 20:34

Dave
Yes it's such a long time ago but strange how odd things start to pop up in the memory once it gets jogged by some other recollection or something somebody else has said.
Incidentally can you privately email to me Don Angel's phone number? I'd enjoy having a chat with the old rascal.
Kind regards - Chris

Billy B's marchpast – CatesbyT58 – 14/10/2009, 14:56

We were there in 1958 and I do not recall wearing whites - when did they get introduced ?

clarkec59 – 14/10/2009, 17:58

CatesbyT58 said

We were there in 1958 and I do not recall wearing whites - when did they get introduced ?

Tony
Maybe you just didn't dhobi yours? Anyway certainly summer uniform in 1959 with our knobbly knees on display.
Chris

Billy – RichensJ56 – 13/12/2009, 15:36

Can there ever be any cadet that does not remember Billy Blyth with pride for having been one of his cadets.Everybody can only have fond memories although every one different.
The word of command across the parade ground for not knowing left or right and it being somebody else and not you.The comforting words at 0100 when the guard had been called to carry out an inspection down to the Boathouse,Salterns duck pond and do not make any noise to disturb the directors wife.
The warmth of his smile on shore leave parade when he knew you were meeting your parents.
Personally my memories of Warsash center around Billy with all the other Officers adding to the example he set for us.On reflection I think we saw more of him than we saw of anybody else.
Anybodywho missed the "Billy" experience really missed out on the guide for a life time.
Richensj56

Billy Blythe – FisherJ55 – 06/02/2010, 00:19

A real kind and considerate gentle man. Although appearing to be so strict he showed great kindness to any cadet who was suffering from home sickness or was feeling outcast in any way.Although,perhaps, a little lonely in his cabin he had an extended family in the cadets and would always take time to talk to them
John F 1955

CatesbyT58 – 07/02/2010, 22:53

What a pity that he enjoyed such a short retirement, after all he gave to us.

Billy – MasonD45 – 26/05/2010, 03:32

As my Contemporary, Bill Rimmer, remarked:- 'Billy would make a marvellous grandfather.' I suppoe he did, to about 2,000 cadets! I am afraid I was never one of his favourites, which is surprising as, when on command training, very often, I was the only cadet in step.

Billy Blythe – PayneA56 – 29/07/2010, 01:04

How well I remember him. It was due to him that I managed to make a reasonable effort, saluting with a sword, during the march past at Whale Island. We didn't, as a squad, disgrace ourselves among the regular RN personnel. It would have been back to Billy in a flash. I can still hear his "Stand still." on the parade ground of my dreams.

Billy Blythe – FozardR59 – 13/08/2010, 23:28

I have just joined the Warsash Association and seeing this blog on Billy Blythe's retirement parade.

As part of the honour guard I well remember the occasion.

A copuple of personal anecdotes - of the time - possibly the only one- when Billy overslept and didn't flip the alarm to wake me as guard commander. I woke just in time to put him on the shake and get the guard out for reveillie about 5 mins late. he was definitely grateful!

Also as JCC Signals and Library - in my final term i was asked by Capt Stewart if I could use Billy in the end of term activities - in my case checking the library catalogue (and generally skiving!) and he and i spent a pleasant couple of days doing just that (not skiving tho - aaaagh laddie! - not allowed!) - he loved the college and was happy to be back there - and it was sad that he passed away the following year

Another character whose comments at the retirement ceremony come to mind - Bosun Khullman - who on sightiing SCC Tom Crookall's gold shoulder braid worn in his role as ADC to the Mayor of Southampton asked him - whats that gold "egaulette"you are wearing - Tom replied its my epaulette as ADC to the mayor of Southampton -" 'egaulettes' - hrmph" grunts the bosun in his gutteral accent - "you will be adc to the ruddy bosun on board ship but you wont get no ruddy 'egaulettes, "!

Posted by clarkec59. 1,977 views.

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