HMS Royal Arthur - Urban Exploration in Corsham, Wiltshire
HMS Royal Arthur
Where - Corsham, Wiltshire.
Visited - October 2008.
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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Posted 10 January 2009, 08:50 From Reg Gifford
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
Posted 15 February 2009, 14:10 From patrick packer
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
Posted 10 March 2009, 11:40 From W.D.Woolcock
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
Posted 3 May 2009, 17:40 From A. Compton
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
Posted 20 July 2009, 22:30 From Keith Foyston
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
Posted 31 July 2009, 11:50 From eunice wilson
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.
Posted 12 August 2009, 12:00 From fred strong
is there anyone out there that remembers joining 19th february1947 please contact
Posted 13 September 2009, 12:50 From eunice wilson
anyone know more about Countess Raben at Rudloe Manor. family returned to Denmak.
Posted 12 October 2009, 15:00 From Ex. CPO Writer David Jennings
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!
Posted 12 October 2009, 22:00 From Scott Kerrison
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.
Posted 22 October 2009, 09:40 From antony tsoflias
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
Posted 1 November 2009, 15:20 From Sue
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.
Posted 10 November 2009, 11:10 From Paul Attrell
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!"
Posted 12 November 2009, 21:20 From verfainverfain
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
Posted 1 December 2009, 15:30 From DONALD (DINGER) BELL
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
Posted 3 December 2009, 17:50 From Tansey lee
I was in 969 course in 1966 and had a really great time lots of good runs ashore to Bristol
Posted 16 December 2009, 20:40 From Bungy Williams
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!
Posted 6 January 2010, 17:40 From Sarah Wilson
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.
Posted 9 January 2010, 19:00 From mickblunt
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.
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