It was called the National Naval Cadet Corps. I was one of the lads who joined it, along with a good many more north Deal lads. Most of us spent our spare time on the beach, and went afloat in the boats with the old boatmen of Deal, learning the way of life and hardships of the sea. At Nelson Hall we were trained the Navy way by ex old timers retired from naval life. First was strict discipline, then we had to learn the naval way of seamanship, somewhat different to the way we handled things on the beach.
Little did we know at the time that the government of the day was training us for what was to come? When it happened the older lads volunteered to join up within the first few days. Most went to Lowestoft to take over converted trawlers, which had been commandeered into naval service, becoming the Royal Naval Patrol Service. My brother George was one of them, and went to sea with just a rifle. During their first few days out they were attacked by a German aircraft, which left him, and others of the crew wounded, from which they were taken to hospital to recover.
Throughout the few years prior to the outbreak of war, Austrian and European refugees came to this country in there hundreds. HMS Robertson at Richburough was taken over to accommodate them. Many used to spend their time in Deal during the day, easily distinguishable by their bicycles with big thick tyres.
A few weeks into the war the NNCC was disbanded. The only photo taken of us that I knew Sam Smith had, but before he had the opportunity to show it to me he died. I am uncertain as to how many of the NNCC lads are still with us today. The summer of , coronation year, saw the review of the home fleet, which took part in the Downs off Deal. Although they were anchored the length of the coast from Kingsdown right around to Broadstairs, ships of all sizes and kinds, and this was but a part of the fleet England had in those days.
Deal was alive with visitors; bring plenty of work to the boatmen, who were kept busy with motorboat trips. Shops and businesses in the town flourished from the extra income. In those days there was no state benefits, it was a case of no work, no money. In those far lost days the seafront used to be packed with people. Coloured fairy lights lined the length of the promenade and the full length of the pier, right through the summer months.
