Message From Tony Colbourne

If there is anyone out there that knows my name and would like to get together, please respond. It would be nice to meet some old friends.

Best regards

Tony Colbourne MBE
TonyColbourne@aol.com

Jim O'Halloran

For Jim Utley,
Saw Jim O'Halloran in Waterlooville about a fortnight ago but didn't get a chance to cackle to him as it was way passed tot time !!!! Last I knew of Jim, he was living in Purbrook. Ginge Hickerton was my PO(EW) on Glamorgan but don't know where he has got to...
Regards

Ian Howieson
PS if any old Gollies are in the Heritage Area of Pompey dockyard, pop into Boathouse No. 4 where I while away my time helping to renovate old pussers boats....

EW Reunion 2008

Thanks to Slinger for organising this years event

Gilly wins the smallest Golly award just beating Brian by a short head.





Who ate all the Pies






Direct from the pirates of the Caribbean do you know this WO(EW)


A good night had by all see, you next year

Why the EW Branch are known as Gollies

Email Rx on the Web Site
http://navygollies.co.uk/default.aspx

In your dit about the birth of the gollie you mention Robinson's jam. It was/is Robertson's jams that had the multi-talented golly on them. Robinson was the name of the CRS(W)that took one CY(Q)1 for their obligatory session on EW in 1967. After he obviously gave them a coloured view of life as an EW (including the fast promotion), It was this class that originally gave the name Golly to the branch. I was in RS(W)Q1 in the first half of that year, so we got tagged with a nickname that has since spread around the globe.

Hope this clears up any misconceptions re the birth of the Golly.

Cheers

Bob Brook

Looking for Jim Luke (From Web site)

From: Bob Brook
E-mail: bobbrook@netspace.net.au
Message:
I'm still trying to get in touch with Jim Luke (if this is the same person as Antony James Luke who served on Dunkirk in 61-63 and other places with me. Any assistance appreciated.

Cheers

Bob Brook

Technical or what !!

No wonder I never really made it past UA8/9 (or even Cardex for those who can remember it ) !!!! Trying to get this sorted out was bad enough. Anyway - Many thanks to Martin for getting this underway.
Just to keep all you guys informed, yes, I am still around although not in UK. Well done Tansy on your retirement - but did you manage 36 years in the RN as I did ?? Left RNEWOS in '91 for 12 years in the RN Careers Office in Leeds but I guess that doesn't count as active service. Did estate management in N. Yorks for a couple of years and then decided to retire early and move out here to Turkey. Am I glad I did. Would not go back to UK now if you paid me. Life here is good with lots (too much sometimes) of sun, sea and cold beers. Plus its a lot cheaper to live here and no stress.
The list of fellow gollies is too long to mention here, but I would be interested if anyone has any info on John Lill, Ginge Hickerton, Jim O'Halloran, and my old mate from RNEWOS Pete Morton (I know he moved to Canada). Be great to hear from anyone else of that era as well.
Must go and re-learn how to channel balance the FH4 and find out what a "flip-flop" switch really does. Best wishes to all gollies past and present
John

The Doctor

Doctor Findlay

Jacko Jackson D157429H

Hi All,

Just touching base with you and see if there is anyone out there still alive from my sojourns aroud the EW traps of the RN. I'm now living in New Zealand after leaving Pussers and emigrating in 1991. I served as an EW rating from 1976 to 1991 and served at the following with the mentioned EWs or RO(W)s :

1976 - Training at North Camp HMS Mercury EW2A course
1977 - 1979 - HMS Ajax (with Roy Osbiston, Paddy McGowan, Ian McFarland)
1979 - 1981 - SNONI (with Jo Brookes)
1982 - HMS Dryad LS(EW) course (with too many to mention!)
1982 - 1984 - HMS Newcastle (with Jim Hubbard, Jan Pearce, Billy Benton)
1885 - HMS Dryad PO(EW) course (with Mick Jenkins, Sandy Saunders, Golly Morton)
1986 - HMS Sultan (with Al Haywood, Tom ?)
1987 - 1989 - HMS Illustrious (with Sandy Sanderson, Mick Jenkins, ? Whitlock, Dave Pegg)
1989 -1991 - RNEWOS (with Golly Morton, Sandy Saunders, Kenny Franklin, John Utley, Bungy Wiliams)

I joined the RNZN in 1991 but left in 1993 to pursue an 11 year stint as an ELINT analyst with the NZ Defence Force.

Caree highlights:

HMS Illustrious (EW Director and Chief Quartermaster)
RNEWOS (Data Writer for those nice big red books!)
National Security Agency Intermediate ELINT Analysis Course

Anyway, it'd be great to hear from any of the above if you're still around.

Mike 'Jacko' Jackson

From The Web site RAN Gollies

Hi,

I'm an ex RAN Gollie who runs the Australian Gollies Forum (www.gollies.net.au). Our branch was disbanded over a decade ago and the EW's integrated into the Ops Room crew as non-specialists. During our time as specialists EWs we had many RN Gollie changeovers, especially on our formation in 1973, when there were no experienced EW's in our Navy.

In October 2007 we held a very successful RAN Gollie reunion and I'm organising the next one for 2010.

Recently an ex-RN Gollie requested to be registered for our forum, which is a restricted forum with registration only being available on my approval. He stated it was a pity there was not a Gollies Forum for the RN, and it occurred to me it would be a good idea to include the RN Gollies on our Forum. One of our RN changeovers, Bob Brooke, who was also one of the very first British Gollies, said he would be willing to be admin for the Brits. If necessary I could also give admin privileges to one of your people to run the registrations and moderate the forum.

The forum allows and easy way of posting messages, having chats and sharing images and stories. If you wanted I could create an RN section and even parts that are only visible to RN members. But I'm trying to have the site as being open for all.

If you are interested please email me and I can put you onto Bob Brooke and we can get the ball rolling on this.

Regards,

Adriaan

From the Web Page

Hi there. I am an ex-OM(EW)1, having served between 1998 and 2002. I recognise a few names on here (principally Gilly Gilchrist, Duncan McKellar, Willy Peacock and Brian Pennock). I was wondering if anyone can provide any info on the possible whereabouts of an classmate of mine from HMS Raleigh/HMS Dryad. His name was Jeff "JJ" Williams, he was a PCT, he lived in the Preston area (although he had a vaguely Canadian accent) and he served on HMS Marlborough in the EW department in 1999. Also any info on OM(EW) Steve Jackson (last heard of on HMS Cornwall in 1999) and PCT John Monroe (believed to have served on either HMS Portland or HMS Somerset in 1999) would be appreciated. Cheers Al Rigg ex-OM(EW)1, OM(2)EW-28 (1998-99), HMS Argyll (1999), OM(1)EW-30 (1999-2000), HMS Monmouth (2000-2002), HMS Iron Duke (2002) (once upon a time known as Crazy Al)


Responces may be sent via the Navy Gollies Web page

Searchlight on the Past

Great idea to have this blog so that we can find out what has happened over the last few decades ! ! with regard to the Electronic Warfare Branch, or as we were called the Telegraphist Specials.
I have only made contact with one ex member of the branch that served with me in the 50's and now lives in New Zealand.
Does anyone out there recognize me in the photograph - I wonder

Thanks

Hi Martin, many thanks for the invitation. I have not forgotten to provide the historic data promised - I have just been rather busy. And they say that with 5 Grandchildren, when you reach 70 you get even busier! I might need some help next year!

If I cannot get down to visit you, can I post any of the material, and if so what is the preferred address please?

Introduction

Welcome to the Royal Navy Electronic Warfare branch Blogsite
Dedicated to the RN EW personell past and presnt.

This Blog along with our website @ http://navygollies.co.uk/default.aspx hopes to keep you in touch with the EW branch past and present.

It will allow you to post your thoughts and questions post photographic history of people and equipment and look for old shipmates.