Rowdy Yates

HMS YARMOUTH

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Rowdy Yates

At The Helm

(Is that Blue Peter on the Telly)

I served on the Crazy Y from 80 till 83 as an engineer based mostly down the boiler/engine room. When I left the Yarmouth I served on a further two ships the York and Anglesey. These ships whilst having a good ships company, could not hold a light to the men on the Yarmouth. I have so many vivid memories of my time on the Yarmouth - some so clear it was just like yesterday. I left the Navy after 23 years in 95 and boy was I in for a shock in Civvy street. I emigrated to New Zealand but that did not work out with my wife and I, so came back to Scotland, got divorced, got back on the production belt of life. I have now had 5 different jobs since then, all of which I have not really enjoyed. I left the Navy with an attitude of can do and teamwork and trust and respect for the people you work with - that was soon knocked out of me. But you can't change the person you are, therein lies the dilemma. Standing up to bullies in one of my jobs cost me the job, being totally honest in another job cost me that one as well. I probably know by now that the only way for me to be really happy is to have my own business - anyone got any interesting ideas out there?

I still communicate with several guys from the old crew and oh boy if I was working with these guys again I know life would and could be good again. I have nothing but affection and good memories of a special time in all our life's and I wish nothing but happiness to everyone out there.

There are so many facts and figures available to hand about the "Conflict", but what I will always remember the most, is the total comradeship we had for each other during that time and after. I have been in civvy street for six years now and that feeling of trust and respect will never ever be felt again.

Being a "Rosyth" Ship and still living in the area, I still see old friends from the Yarmouth, and without trying to be to nostalgic, there is something that still clicks. The Yarmouth never experienced any damage, but we certainly experienced all the action. Our Captain was a man whom I respected because of his actions and not his uniform. There were also funnier sides to the event, which I try to remember in order to balance things out. We all have our individual stories to tell, some keep to themselves, some tell to all. I have a lot of time for all the people who served during the conflict, sometimes with only our sense of humour to keep us going.

God Bless.

ex-CPOMEA(M) Rowdy Yates, HMS Yarmouth 80 to 83