HMS Royal Arthur was one of the Royal Navy’s shore establishments – similar to HMS Ganges but on a smaller scale. The site at Corsham opened in 1947 after moving from Skegness (the Butlins holiday camp was used during WW2). The Corsham site finally closed in 1993…
A few years ago there was “news” that the site would be converted into retirement homes – nothing seems to have happened with that plan though. Nowadays it sits empty, and seems to be a practice ground for Bristol/Bath’s graffiti artists.
I didn’t get many photos of the buildings, maybe I’ll revisit in the future…
Here’s an old guard-box at the front gate.
All of the buildings had strange triangular holes knocked through the walls – maybe for police dog training or something…
The old parade ground is now a dumping ground for burnt out cars.
The swimming pool was drained on closure. 15 years later and it is nearly full again…
Nearly all trace of the site’s military use has disappeared. There were very few original features left – a few signs were seen on some doors, but not many.
Love it or hate it, you can’t help but appreciate the amount of work that has gone into the graffiti.
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I did my P.O. Leadership course at Royal Arthur, many years ago and went on manouvers in The Black hills of Wales. Is the Chairmakers Arms still there, it was a cider house (Scrumpy) also Lt Mountbatten was there
This website says HMS Arthur opened in Corsham in 1947,but is this correct? I joined this shore establishment in early 1946 for initial training and was there for two weeks before going on to HMS Gosling in Lancashire.
P.Packer
I spent truly a memorable 6 weeks at Royal Arthur in 1952 in a class comprising PO Artificers & CPOs The Instructors were excellent with a love of the R.N. and created a bonding to our particular Class which had a mixture of Wartime & National Service men.Two of my colleagues and I were recommended for commissioned rank and I was finally posted as Electrical Officer on HMS Zephyr in 1953
I entered HMS Royal Arthur on 27th. May 1947 (110 Group) for two weeks kitting out etc. before proceeding to HMS Gosling. I recall talk of Lt. Mountbatten having served there, also that hitherto new recruits had commenced at a holiday camp in the north of England. Evidently callup had ben halted due to the severe winter of 1946/47 as I had been due to start my National Servive in the February of that year.. “Hostilities Only ” National Servive commenced in January 1947 with 101 group and intakes were at fortnightly intervals
I joined HMS “Royal Arthur” in November,1946 as a Probationer Writer did my basic training there My class being Effingham II The PO Instructor was PO Seaman Bagshaw and his aide one A/Ldg.Airman Harris.. I left in January 947 to do my Part II training at HMS Ceres in Wetherby Yorkshire when the 1947 fall of snow started I was discharged from the oyal Navy In February 1954
part of JSU which earlier was RAF Rudloe Manor, 10 Group for defence of west country. Home of Countess Raben compulsory purchased by Air Ministry 1940. Interest to know what it all is now as am writing history. plenty of material at national archive.
is there anyone out there that remembers joining 19th february1947 please contact
anyone know more about Countess Raben at Rudloe Manor. family returned to Denmak.
I joined HMS Royal Arthur as a Probationer Writer on 19 Feb 1948 – instructor Petty Officer Pollock. The hairdresser there was the dreaded Pheobi – who could forget her especially in February! Went on to HMS Ceres 21 Aprl 1948 for Part 2. Made the second visit to Royal Arthur for leadership course and the Black Mountains experience during Jun & Jul 1960. Left the RN on Pension 7 Mch 1970 – 22 years – enjoyed them all. Sad to see the old Royal Arthur site as it is now. Sorry Fred Strong we were a years out!
I was based at HMS Royal Arthur from 1987 -1989 and had my best years in the RN there I was employed first as a QM (Guard House Duty) then later as the Gunners Yeoman (Working on the Parade Ground and Armoury) its sad to see the old girl in such a sate.
I was at Royal Arthur from March 1947 for two weeks kitting out then on to HMS Gosling, Warrington for three months engineering training then on to HMS Unicorn Devonport for further training until october then sent to HMS Anzio LST Rosneath then on to HMS Hartland Point, anybody remember me? they used to call me Greek or Nick, I was engineer officers writer .Prince Pnhillip was serving at Royal Arthur during my time there by the way.
r
I have a group picture of my father’s, for the course 30th RES 4 October 1954. I presume it is at HMS Royal Arthur as that is the title on the small board in the picture.
Would be happy to scan and send so that you can use it.
I did my 4 weeks Senior Rates Leadership Course there in 1988 as a new Petty Officer Artificer. We were accommodated in the long huts at the south end of the site, while the Leading Hands lived in equally basic accom along the eastern side for their 2 weeks. I remember the unseasonally warm November trekking over the Black Mountains and the Wiltshire countryside. Each Course had to choose the name of a famous leader for their Course name and presentation at the end of training: We chose Wg Cdr Guy Gibson and our skit followed the legend of the Dambusters. We borrowed RAF incl WRAF uniforms for our (all male) cast from our light blue colleagues of RAF Rudloe Manor, just down the road! We opened the ‘show’ with the ‘lasses’ down the aisle of the theatre doing a version of the aircraft flight safety brief, pointing out the exits as “here, here and here – so those of you sat there and there have no chance of escape at all!”
I have a few group photos from HMS Royal Arthur 1951 and 1952, they may be seen at :-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/verfain/sets/72157622439744221/
I would welcome any comments, information or tales of that time.
There are a few 1951 and 1952 group photos in album “HMS Royal Arthur” which can be seen on my Flickr account. Google verfainverfain, it should be easy to find my Flickr page.
I would appreciate feedback about the photos
I DID MY INITIAL SIX WEEKS TRAINING THERE, OUR INSTRUCTOR WAS P.O. MASHITER AND WE COUNTED OURSELVES VERY LUCKY.. ALSO MET PHOEBE THE HAIR BUTCHER. LATER POSTED ONTO HMS ARIEL NEAR WARRINGTON ON 32 WEEK RADIO RADAR COURSE, PREM 8
I was in 969 course in 1966 and had a really great time lots of good runs ashore to Bristol
I did my POLC there between Nov ’83 and Jan ’84 – don’t ever let anybody kid you that you get the best from a Leadership course if you do it in winter!! I also did my LRLC in the winter but that was in Excellent!
I enjoyed RA though – it was good fun and I made some good, if short-term, mates there! Reminded me a lot of my days in Ganges in ’71/72!
We chose Moses as our course ‘hero’ and threw ‘white-sliced manna from Heaven’ from the back of the stage. I can’t recall the name of our instructor but he was a CPOSTD with a great sense of humour.
The worst thing about it was the timing of the course. At that time of the year, you broke up for three weeks because of Christmas leave, which could ruin all the fitness you’d gained in the early part of the course!
I enjoyed the lot – the assault course, the cliff and chasm, Earlstoke and the dreaded Black Mountains! I was quite sad when I heard they were closing the place. Leadership training was never the same after it went!
My dad, Peter Wilson, left me a pencil portrait of himself, drawn by someone he served with at HMS Royal Arthur. It says ‘A B Peter Wilson, HMS Royal Arthur, 7/47′ and is signed by the artist, but I can’t read his name! I wondered if anyone remembers my dad, and also if anyone remembers the artist…? Thanks.
did my lrlc in 85. great two weeks, never been as fit since. flaming joes was brill. spoiled it a bit by getting caught with a lady from the army wives place in the room and ending up with two weeks 10s.
I too was at Royal Arthur from 7th to 22nd July 1947 and remember Phoebe well. Then to Gosling and on to Ceres as a Prob Writer 12 Sep, thence to Drake as a Writer 1st January 1948. Spent the rest of my Nat.Service on staff of S.O.R.F. Plymouth being released 21st Sep.1949
Just walked thr Dog along Lee on Solent front and the PO,s Leadership course from HMS Collingwood just passed me and by the looks of things the Physical side of the course has,nt changed , all struggling with the 3 mile run !
My father was stationed at Royal Arthur in 1954. He was a PO, JRL Appleby DSM. Joined the RN in 1926 and retired in Oct 1957 after contacting TB. Served in Barham, Erebus during the war and won the DSM during the bombardment of Le Harve and Walcheren.
I am searching for any info on a ‘George’ Cripps who was at HMS Royal Arthur, Corsham in 1946. He was demobbed c 1953.
i was a 12yr old sea cadet when i first went on a course at HMS ROYAL ARTHUR,a junior seaman., we caught the train at wakefield westgate,made many changes along the way im 34 now so its a bit vivid,i remember bristol temple newsom/or meads not sure,, thats where we got picked up and taken to royal arthur,on arrival i fell in love with the place,we was housed in the first dorm on the right as you entered and had a long march up and veiring right to the naffi mess and parade ground more follows at a later date
My grandfather William Young served who was at HMS Royal Arthur…he would be 93 years old now…wondering if anyone out there served with him. I
According to my late grandad’s naval record, William (Bill) Atkins began his war career at HMS Royal Arthur on 29 Oct 1940 as a cook. He subsequently joined HMS Foresight as the same and participated in both Arctic and Malta Convoys before serving in Gibraltar, Bombay and a stint at HMS Mayina – the Japanese invasion that never was.
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Hi,
Does anybody out there know about HMS Royal Arthur in Skegness in 1943, particulaly CPO James Clements?
Mell
I am looking for some information about Ray Morse c/MX854434 Block 2 Class 229 7x Division. I have a letter to say he was at HMS Royal Arthur in 1947. If anyony knew of or has any information about this person could they please e-mail me on elford499@btinternet.com. Many Thanks. David Elford
I visited HMS Royal Arthur in about 1975 whilst in the cadets at school. There was an old fighter aircraft hulk there – something like a Sea Hawk – does anyone have any details?
Unlike everyone else, I did not serve any time at Royal Arthur but, I was in HM Royal Marines Band FONAC from 1979 – 1983 and HM Royal Marines Band FOP from 1988 – 1996. Whilst in FONAC band I remember doing quite a few passing out parades at Royal Arthur. Also While in FOP Band I remember either the last passout or certainly one of the last passout parades in the early nineties. I only write all this because most of you are from before this time but parhaps there will be someone who remembers having the band on parade. All the best to you all.