This has literally become easily one of our favorite episodes to date and we are sure it will become one of your favorites as well. We were honestly on the edge of our seat! Hearts were racing and we were pumped! Drop a Like if you enjoyed this half as much as us and God Bless the Military! Veterans and Active duty of ALL our allies!
Did you know that Nicola had damaged her arm prior to that climb and had missed all but one of her practice runs and was still registered sick when she made that climb, now that brings a tear to my eye !!!
I am a 79 year old former Royal Marine and I get tears in my eyes every time I watch this. That young Girl makes me so proud of what the Royal Navy and it's Traditions were at that period of time. As you said, they would never let you do that now and it's something that I think makes us poorer as people and a Nation. My training in 1960 and the ethics that it gave me carried me through my Life and helped me overcome all the hardships I encountered. Why do I cry, who knows, is it for my lost youth, is it seeing something so brave or is it because I know we have lost something precious to us as people. No matter, you enjoyed it and you saw us at our best.
You and I are the same age but unlike you I joined the RAF as a boy entrant in May 1960 and served eleven years. What you say about overcoming hardships is perfectly true. One thing though, you would never catch me climbing that mast!
Hi i live 8 miles from Shotley & ive seen this live when it was still a naval traing school & my father-inlaw did part of his traing there so memories are still with me 👍👍😂😂
@@paulbarnes5051 "Hearts of oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men. We always are ready. Steady, boys, steady....." My Grandfather trained on sailing ships and they had to man the shrouds during heavy weather. This is training, as is the gun race.
Ladies, if you want to see “mast manning” done properly check out HMS Ganges. The mast is 147 feet high. I stood on the button as a 15 year old baby sailor.
I've been up masts like this on a real ship at sea, in cold wet weather, furling sails, etc. It's not for the faint hearted. Those old time mariners were quite something...
@@bladeschick1 LOL no comparison with warships in that weather, but I'm sure you know that.....except maybe Carriers. Cruise ships are anything around 100,000 tonnes whereas the average frigate is around 5000 tonnes... great fun in a "hoolie"!
My Father Served in The British Merchant Navy during WW2. He took part in The North Atlantic Convoys going up to Murmansk in Russia. He said that you have to witness Bad Weather at Sea to Appreciate how powerful Nature can be.
So many great British traditions have been lost due to budget cuts. Sooo sad.😢 i am a Falklands war veteran and am proud to have served my country. Always remember our traditions and accomplishments ❤❤
I was a boy sailor at HMS Ganges in 1964/65 aged 15 years. To pass out every sailor had to climb the mast up to and over the Crows Nest. It was one of the most exhilarating days of my life.
Nicola Howard.... I hope you are reading this: You have my utmost admiration and respect. I am Ex-Merchant Navy and an Ex-Fireman...BUT!......Never, ever, would I have had the bottle to attempt that. Be proud lass, be as proud of yourself .......as I am of you. Thank you.❤
I love watching this. I have the deepest respect for those I consider our American cousins. We in the UK do not overtly promote our forces. I am a Falklands veteran and a button boy from 1984. I do not remember how many times I did button boy because for every one public performance were 10 or 20 practice runs. Thankyou for showcasing it X
It is very true and really sad that the Forces here (UK) are just people. You deserve much more respect from us civvies. My dad was drafted into the Green Howards and spent years in the far East. Thank you for your service.
Used to sing this at school as well as Fairwell and Adieu to You Fair Spanish Maidens and alot more to BBC radio when in primary school. They used to do this at the Royal tournament which was more involved with different actions whilst on the ladders many years ago. Check out The Royal Marine Band marching down the Mall after beating retreat or the old footage of the Queen Riding side saddle to the Trooping the Colour on Burmese she was an awesome horserider
@@mcjs8640 I am old enough to remember the very large wooden radios I was in the eleven plus class and we would sit on benches and belt these out plus sea shanties 😄
Hi from the UK. My grandfather was a Royal Marine and one thing that used to get him riled up was being referred to as a Marine. He would always say "the Americans have Marines - we have Royal Marines." But you're forgiven. I love your reactions. 😊
Am with you on that one I have and had brothers and nephew in The Royal Marines...Grandfather and Uncles in the Royal Navy we always say Royal Marines or Royal Navy😂
There is an old black and white film of trainee's climbing up the Ganges 240 foot mast. My late father was the button boy on this mast pre war in the late thirties, Henry Huntley John Gardiner.
Great reaction as always. We really appreciate your love for the UK. I'd love to see your reaction to Fred Dibnah, the famous English steeplejack. Not military based but I think you'd both enjoy his complete disregard for health & safety 🤣. Stay safe, Love from London 🇬🇧
This is why the Royal Navy is respected around the world. At sea, those masts could from roll from 40° left to 40° right. You still had to climb the mast. The survival of the ship and crew can rest on your shoulders. You have to be able to get up there and out on the yards to furl in the sails during a storm. There were still sailing ships going around Cape Horn in WWl
Sadly we are losing these traditions. Growing up the gun race was my favourite. I think it's important both for the entertainment and pride of/in our armed forces that we try to keep these alive. Also, health and safety wasn't all consuming when I was growing up or even in the 90's as it is now. In some ways for the better as it allowed us to do things which wouldn't be possible now.
@@Puckoon2002 I was told the Gun Race was stopped because such a large number of men were spending so much time practising that the shrinking Navy couldn't carry-on working properly with them unavailable for their normal jobs. In other words, was stopped due to cuts in defence budgets. There was never a shortage of men wanting to take part.
@@58jennypenny Yeah. Which is ironic. Being in the armed forces isn't about being "safe" is it? It should be about being able to handle dangerous situations. From the looks of it, training for the Field Gun competition was perfect for teaching lessons on cooperation, the balance between precision and speed, and a whole lot of other things.
@@stevengriffin7873 I seem to recall that they were "Modernised" But the up-date version was never carried out across the land, as people simply: "Did not like them"! The original boxes remain to this day in most parts.
My dad was a WWII navy man too. He was a part of the task force in the South Pacific alongside the Americans against the Japanese. He was on a battleship and was regularly dive-bombed by Japanese kamikaze pilots. He was just 19 years old. Bless him.
@@andrewtongue7084 - Yes, it was HMS Howe. He’d say, over the years, that when people at home were celebrating VE Day, they were still battling for their lives. He distinctly remembered the sound of the 14” guns constantly firing. Also the close-call incident of a Kamikaze plane hitting the deck and bouncing off into the water. He worked as a radio operator in the war room where he received battle status and enemy position updates and would write the information backwards on a glass screen to be seen by the strategists beyond the screen who stood around a large table top map making decisions and counter decisions. Fascinating stuff. It’s crazy that our fathers shared the same sights, sounds, fears, and comradeship. Small world. 👍
I saw The Manning of The Mast at The Lincolnshire Show years ago and music was played by The Band of The Coldstream Guards. It is traditional to have a tot of rum.
I remember watching all these millitary tournaments when I was young and always felt pride in my country and fellow countrymen and women, in what we were able to do. I could never serve myself as the military would never take me, but I can support them in other ways.
I remember being taken to HMS Ganges as a kid to watch the mast manning ceremony. Very impressive indeed. The button was about the size of a dinner plate. The button boy was traditionally the youngest recruit at Ganges, usually about 15 years old at the time I got to see it about 1970.
A cousin of mine who fought in the Falklands conflict used to do this and during practice slipped and fell. He caught one of the cross bars and stopped his fall but was deemed too injured to carry on in the Navy. After a medical discharge he went into the police and served for another 2 or 3 decades. I think his injuries were mainly in his back and restricted his ability to carry out his work in the Navy (he was a navigator in a helicopter). He was a good police officer and did several jobs including armed response and VIP protection team (including the Royals).
My brother in law was button boy over 55 years ago. It’s a very impressive honour and thing to do. I couldn’t do it that’s for sure. Thanks for a great reaction both of you
My dad was in the Royal Navy and loved this. The 1st time I saw it, I must have been 7 or 8 and my 1st thought was, whats the fuss about... sailors do that at sea. Then he pointed out they are kids.. then I watched them going higher, them the crazy person went to the top and I was almost shaking with fear for them... a moment as a child I'll never forget ❤ from Northeast England ❤️
I love watching American's react to our stuff. Something we take for granted but clearly, it is remiss of us to do so. Thanks ladies for your tribute to all your allies at the front of your video - appreciated.
I did this in 1977 for the late queen’s jubilee my place was mission 6, (the back mast of 3 on a ship) at sea coming into Brest (France). Just a side note this was also done from church steeples in England as late as 1913 on national holidays. The navy greeting is “harts of oak”. (Which is also the name of the navy’s anthem)
My uncle did this when he was at HMS Ganges, it was the traditional passing out activity. My grandparents travelled all the way from Scotland and my Gran saw none of it- she watched the whole thing with her hands over her eyes!
You could react to the Royal Navy window ladder display team. Back in the age of sail, the navy needed a way to build fitness and strength in its sailors. The exercises they created were turned into a display, which was presented at shows like the Royal Tournament. Enjoy.
As you said at the beginning, that video was from the East of England show. The showground is about five miles from where I live, and my dad used to show livestock there. There were lots of different displays in the arena, but the navy climbing the mast is one of the few that I still remember. 12/13 year old me was somewhere in the crowd watching that.
Just watched your video. As a veteran of Her late Majesty's Royal Navy may I say you two patriotic girls crack me up? For all the best reasons. Your politeness, interest, and wonder at our bonkers British armed forces traditions makes me love your channel, you charmers. Also it reminds me of serving with your fellow countrymen and women around the world, and the most especial hospitality I was shewn in The United States every single time I was there. Just because I was a sailor in The Royal Navy I was treated like I was the King. Undeserved, but very welcome to a lad far from home. Always felt safer, in uniform, in the States than anywhere else on earth. And most appreciated. Including Britain. Regards. Your's Aye, William.
This channel is fantastic. The ladies are real Anglophiles and have showcased the BEST of the British military. I really would recommend all their other stuff on here.
You should review a children’s TV presenter, John Noakes, climbing Nelson’s Column without any safety harness or even a hard hat. And in his street clothes. You will love it.
I was just going to suggest John Noakes too. He was a hero and his relationship with his trusty dog Shep was the sweetest thing. Definitely love to see Natasha and Debbie react to this highlight of my childhood. Huge respect to the navy boys and girl for this awesome display too.
Two recommendations - The musical ride of the Household Cavalry. Blends military music, tradition and impeccably trained horses so I think it will be right up your street. Secondly, this one is sadder, but with November coming up, you could take a look at the Festival of Remembrance, specifically the building of the Drum Altar at the Royal Albert Hall.
Loved to see your reactions to this. My dad manned the mast in his naval training, making it to the topyard, which was required of all cadets. The button remained out of his comfort zone, he said those that completed it were not, as you might think, as mad as a fish, but in fact, the quiet ones.
Women have been a part of the British armed forces for centuries but only started to get more integration in the 1990s. As of 2018, all positions are now vailable to women including special forces and serving on our Vanguard class submarines.
I joined HMS Ganges in 1961 at age 15, which had a mast of 147'high, and every new entry had to climb the mast in the first 6 weeks up to the Half Moon level, which was 95' refusal meant dismissal from the service. I never saw anyone refuse. There are videos on RUclips, just type in HMS Ganges it is far more spectacular than this modern-day one.. plus, it is accompanied by a RM band. Check it out.
Traditions like this really do need to be kept alive - Imagin this on a multi masted ship at sea, rolling around in a storm - Master and Commander: Far Side of the World, did the subject true justice. Historical events like the Gun Run, the Musical Ride of the RHA and love the Rifle Brigade doing their "double" - comical and impressive at the same time! I do love the history of the Royal Navy - the wooden world of Nelson and Trafalgar. HMS Victory is a fantastic visit to give a glimpse of that world. History you can walk around inside of. Magical, which only grows more meaningful as you get older, I suspect.
I actually went through HMS Ganges late in 1975 (it closed down in 1976) the mast there was bigger than the one shown I managed to get to the first spar but that was as far as my legs would let me go they just said no, no NO! Its also probably why I decided to go to submarines as I figured out I dont like heights. The mast as HMS Ganges is currently being restored (as an item of British heritage) and should be restored to its former glory but without any access to its heights as its the centre piece of a housing project (you can search for videos on its restoration if you wish) there was also a children's tv show called Blue Peter (the flag that is flown just before a ship sets sail) and one of the presenters actually went up the mast at Ganges (he didnt make it to the button though) so I suggest you search for John Noakes, Blue Peter, HMS Ganges mast and you may get to see that one. Loving the work your doing keep it up .
I really miss seeing this on the TV and the field gun race. It brought back happy memories. It made us so proud of our armed services. I loved the history that went with these events.
Haha, I could hear my father laughing as I watched that. He joined the Royal Navy in 1912 as a "boy sailor" - he was fifteen. They put the group of boy recruits on to a fully-rigged sailing ship used for training and took them a mile offshore. Then they sent them up the rigging. They didn't let them come all the way down - at some point they had to jump. Which meant diving off the rigging, clear off the ship and into the sea. And then, drum roll, they had to swim to shore. Couldn't dive? You learned. Couldn't swim? Start moving your legs. My dad was a boy from inner London; he had barely seen the Thames let alone the sea. He became a champion diver. And, to add to that, he became a signaller - in other words, he often had to climb round, through, and up the rigging to post message flags when the fleet was at sea. He did that at the Battle of Jutland, in the freezing North Sea, some of the roughest seas in the world. He became a Chief Yeoman of Signals and served 25 years - and he made darn sure that all of his children could swim.
I've listened to many dits (tales of naval experiences) over the years from 3 generations of family who served in the RN but this is something I have not heard of before and I found your father's story fascinating. Thank you for sharing it!😁 I think they used to call this character building in the RN 🇬🇧 and it's sounds as though your dad had that in spades!
I watched The Royal Tournament on TV every year and saw this a couple of times. Thank you so much for reviewing this old footage, it has brought back many happy memories. More of this would be most welcome :-) x
Thank you so much Natasha and Debbie for showing us this! It made me feel proud, hysterical (with nervous laughter) and terrified all at the same time. What an amazing young woman she was!!
14:11 There is a bent piece of tubing attached to the topmost platform. It runs vertically upwards between the thighs makes a detour backwards (for obvious reasons) and continues up behind the lower and middle back.
Thank you folks, I'm English, and it's awesome to see people appreciating each others culture instead of tearing it apart, just subscribed, and I will be watching many more of your videos. 👍🍻🙋♂️❤️
Huge congratulations on reaching 6 million views!!!!!! Awsome job girls. Can I also thank you for your coverage of the Queens death. Heartfelt and much appreciated. Keep the great work up. Love from the UK x
The reason this was done at the East of England showground was because it was a show for the public and what the Royal Navy found in the past was that if you hold it onboard a ship the crowd watching tend to drown so a field makes a better idea for public shows lol. You sounded surprised to see the Royal Marine Band, why? Royal Marines (Clue is in the name) are part of the Royal Navy not the British army.
The "Blue Peter mast manning" by the BBC is a great example of of this event. It's performed by 16 & 17 yearold naval recruits with a legendary British childrens presenter John Noakes. It has commentary with it. Prepare to be scared.
Gosh, this has taken me back! Met my husband in 1986 at college and he joined the Fleet Air Arm Division of the Royal Navy ⚓in 1988 and served until 2011. We live close to Portsmouth and many of the Navy training establishments. He was based at HMS Daedalus just a hop, skip and a jump away from our home at the time this video was made (although that base has now closed and become a civilian airfield) . I remember the Mast Manning display team from Daedalus would perform this display at the Navy Days which were then and are still open to all to come along and enjoy! This may well be the same team as they would've travelled to attend other events. I literally had my heart in my mouth when watching them back in the day. 😬 Im pretty sure I was told that the button boy/girl was traditionally the youngest team member! One of the last displays took place on Southsea common during the commemorations of VJ day in 1995 if I remember correctly (the old grey cells are a bit dodgy these days 🤣). Interested to hear HMS Ganges mentioned as my hubby's great Uncle went there as a young recruit when he joined up (that was before WW2) we have a copy of his memoirs but it's years since I last looked at them. I must take a peek to see if he mentions the Mast Manning. Sorry for the long post Thank you for sharing this video, it has triggered a lot of happy memories for me today! 🥰
That last-ish song they are playing was one of my favourite hymns we used to sing in assembly, held everyday at the beginning of school. Its very appropriate as its name is 'For Those In Peril On The Sea'
I have so much respect for these girls and lads who did this, I get dizzy looking up but not down but this is something else . The Mast race is the hardest the gun race is just as hard but in a different way .
I live in Ipswich, which isn’t far away from Shotley,,our local paper said the 142 ft mast has been taken down, to be restored,should be interesting to see it all in its glory again..
I live 1/2 mile from both Daedalus, and what was Ganges. My brother in law was once button boy at Ganges, a great honour. This was usually done at sea, so you would have a lot of wind. Imagine a boat swaying in wind, and the 'sails had to be unfurled. This still has to be done on 'tall ships'. Imagine this being done at the Battle of Trafalgar. This is traditional and goes back to 1500s. Bravo young lady!!!
My father was a veteran of Dunkirk, (Army, Engineer) and was back in France (Army, Transport Corps) to help spread the word of its liberation day, and after the war, was in Palestine. One of my uncles was Royal Navy, the other a distinguished Royal Air Force officer. Their father was a Navy man too. As much as you think this exercise in the wind was terrifying, you need to remember that having the mast firmly attached to terra firma basically makes this nothing but an easy training exercise, compared the the greater winds likely on open waters on a boat rocking and tossing on the waves. That it is a training exercise is so that when the sailors had to do it for real, in emergency, such as climbing the masts in a sudden squall or storm to urgently furl heavy, wet sails in storm conditions there was a level of great familiarity and muscle memory to help them, and the familiarity of all those drills to help steel their nerves and calm their fears, well, all those practices pay off. Tradition, even when it seems crazy or pointless, serves a lot of the same purposes. In times of strong emotion, doubt, fear, being able to follow a tradition and know that untold generations before you have been here, survived, and passed down their tradition to help you follow in their steps, well, it can be immensely helpful. My father told me that something his time in the Military had taught him is that there are many circumstances where it is better to have a plan, even a bad one, than to be lost and confused and do nothing at all. For a perfect illustration, think about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and how easy it was to feel lost and uncertain in the aftermath, but all the pomp and ceremony of her funeral, and of the subsequent kings Coronation, helped people to feel there was a plan, that this may be unknown to us personally and individually, but that many have been there before us, many will be there after us, and that life goes on.
The mast at Shotley was taken down earlier this year for refurbishment as the housing estate that is being built on this site has agreed to keep the mast as a historic landmark to represent the history of the site.
Thank you for saying that you love our traditions. The thing is, we, especially our armed forces, have been around for so long we've developed loads of obscure weird & wonderful traditions to choose from. Fabulous video ladies x
Morning ladies, so glad you got on this one. Check out the white helmets motorcycle display team, they will blow your mind. Another great video thanks 💖😁
I love this! Even though five rungs up a ladder is a white-knuckle ride for me!!! Another one for your list is "The Tall Ships Race" I'm pretty sure some nations still do this when entering harbour. I saw this done on a Swedish 4-master when it arrived in Liverpool years ago, very very impressive! Great video...
Great video, thank you. I 'manned the mast' in 1973 (I was 16), in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh. I manned the upper yardarm (top horizontal) also in the wind. I never made it to the 'button', too far to fall!!! This brought back memories.....
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
This has literally become easily one of our favorite episodes to date and we are sure it will become one of your favorites as well. We were honestly on the edge of our seat! Hearts were racing and we were pumped! Drop a Like if you enjoyed this half as much as us and God Bless the Military! Veterans and Active duty of ALL our allies!
The Ganges is a river in India.
Check out royal navy window display.many thanks ladies xx
I know you like military things. Here is the Royal Air force sunset ceremony. Enjoy. m.ruclips.net/video/jlNixIFZ6wk/видео.html
There was at one point a bugle battle at the end of the Edinburgh tattoo, remember seeing it one year, best thing I'd seen
The top of the mast is 142 feet
Did you know that Nicola had damaged her arm prior to that climb and had missed all but one of her practice runs and was still registered sick when she made that climb, now that brings a tear to my eye !!!
I am a 79 year old former Royal Marine and I get tears in my eyes every time I watch this. That young Girl makes me so proud of what the Royal Navy and it's Traditions were at that period of time. As you said, they would never let you do that now and it's something that I think makes us poorer as people and a Nation. My training in 1960 and the ethics that it gave me carried me through my Life and helped me overcome all the hardships I encountered. Why do I cry, who knows, is it for my lost youth, is it seeing something so brave or is it because I know we have lost something precious to us as people. No matter, you enjoyed it and you saw us at our best.
Thank you for your service Sir 🇬🇧❤️🫡
That information is the exact perfect response to what we just watched. Nothing could say it better.
You and I are the same age but unlike you I joined the RAF as a boy entrant in May 1960 and served eleven years. What you say about overcoming hardships is perfectly true. One thing though, you would never catch me climbing that mast!
Hi i live 8 miles from Shotley & ive seen this live when it was still a naval traing school & my father-inlaw did part of his traing there so memories are still with me 👍👍😂😂
The Button Girl was Nicola Howard, the first and only one. Definitely earned that Tot of Rum.
Tot of rum, whole bottle for me, respect !!
@@paulbarnes5051 "Hearts of oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men. We always are ready. Steady, boys, steady....." My Grandfather trained on sailing ships and they had to man the shrouds during heavy weather. This is training, as is the gun race.
My word amazing lady total respect!!! I get dizzy on a mound !!
@@claire6795😊
Ladies, if you want to see “mast manning” done properly check out HMS Ganges. The mast is 147 feet high. I stood on the button as a 15 year old baby sailor.
The young lady is Nicola Howard, the 1st female button boy. She was still on sick leave and signed out to do this.
I've been up masts like this on a real ship at sea, in cold wet weather, furling sails, etc. It's not for the faint hearted. Those old time mariners were quite something...
Respect to you.
Much respect, I'm a cruiser believe me I've seen the sea in bad weather 🙏👏👏👏
@@bladeschick1 LOL no comparison with warships in that weather, but I'm sure you know that.....except maybe Carriers. Cruise ships are anything around 100,000 tonnes whereas the average frigate is around 5000 tonnes... great fun in a "hoolie"!
Flipping 'eck. Makes me giddy thinking about that, you are a hero!!. Good old Terra Firma for me, every time. 😂
My Father Served in The British Merchant Navy during WW2. He took part in The North Atlantic Convoys going up to Murmansk in Russia. He said that you have to witness Bad Weather at Sea to Appreciate how powerful Nature can be.
So many great British traditions have been lost due to budget cuts. Sooo sad.😢 i am a Falklands war veteran and am proud to have served my country. Always remember our traditions and accomplishments ❤❤
So true
I was a boy sailor at HMS Ganges in 1964/65 aged 15 years. To pass out every sailor had to climb the mast up to and over the Crows Nest. It was one of the most exhilarating days of my life.
I believe that the part one training was also longer back in the day decades ago?
this is the reason why the royal navy ruled the waves
Nicola Howard.... I hope you are reading this: You have my utmost admiration and respect.
I am Ex-Merchant Navy and an Ex-Fireman...BUT!......Never, ever, would I have had the bottle to attempt that.
Be proud lass, be as proud of yourself .......as I am of you. Thank you.❤
I love watching this. I have the deepest respect for those I consider our American cousins. We in the UK do not overtly promote our forces. I am a Falklands veteran and a button boy from 1984. I do not remember how many times I did button boy because for every one public performance were 10 or 20 practice runs. Thankyou for showcasing it X
Thank you for your service ❤️ 🙏🏻
Mick can I take this opportunity to thank you for your service.
#RESPECT
🇬🇧💞✝️🙏👏👏👏
It is very true and really sad that the Forces here (UK) are just people. You deserve much more respect from us civvies. My dad was drafted into the Green Howards and spent years in the far East. Thank you for your service.
The tune that the band are playing as they march off is Hearts of Oak.
Used to sing this at school as well as Fairwell and Adieu to You Fair Spanish Maidens and alot more to BBC radio when in primary school.
They used to do this at the Royal tournament which was more involved with different actions whilst on the ladders many years ago.
Check out The Royal Marine Band marching down the Mall after beating retreat or the old footage of the Queen Riding side saddle to the Trooping the Colour on Burmese she was an awesome horserider
@@cathyb46 Yes! I remember singing Hearts of Oak at school too! Still remember all the words. Very stirring stuff! 👍
@@mcjs8640 I am old enough to remember the very large wooden radios I was in the eleven plus class and we would sit on benches and belt these out plus sea shanties 😄
Steady boys, steady
also sunset then last post
The button-birl remembered to straighten her cap after she reached terra ferma - just how cool is that !
Now you understand why the PT was giving the young lady a pep talk at the beginning.
My cousin did this in the early 1990s before he went to his submarine. R.I.P terry parson 😢
Rip :(
Reguiestat In Pace Terry 💜
Terry was a friend of mine.
@@stuartmcivor2276 rip terry.
@@stuartmcivor2276 my cousin was a mint bloke he was the 1st person who made me puke in a pub without alcohol 😂
Tears of pride in my eye's 'hearts of oak indeed' 🇬🇧
Mine too
My late father got to be 'Button Boy' at HMS Daedalus when he was a 17 year old Boy Seaman. He said it was the proudest moment of his life.
Hi from the UK. My grandfather was a Royal Marine and one thing that used to get him riled up was being referred to as a Marine. He would always say "the Americans have Marines - we have Royal Marines." But you're forgiven. I love your reactions. 😊
Am with you on that one I have and had brothers and nephew in The Royal Marines...Grandfather and Uncles in the Royal Navy we always say Royal Marines or Royal Navy😂
There is an old black and white film of trainee's climbing up the Ganges 240 foot mast.
My late father was the button boy on this mast pre war in the late thirties, Henry Huntley John Gardiner.
This is how Britania ruled the waves! Thanks ladies I'm also learning about my own country's history through you.
I was the Button boy ...16yrs of age !
Really?! That's incredible!!!! 👏🏻 👏🏻
@@TheNatashaDebbieShow fifty yrs ago Hms Gangies
Impressive, that takes grit!!
@@no-oneinparticular7264 Didn't have a say in it ..orders ..you think I did it by choice. Ps 20 mph winds too 😳
Amazing, I actually got goosebumps when the button girl was saluting right at the top
Just think, that young girl is now a middle aged lady. She'll have some tales to tell her grandchildren
My brother in law was the button boy in his passing out parade.
Great reaction as always. We really appreciate your love for the UK. I'd love to see your reaction to Fred Dibnah, the famous English steeplejack. Not military based but I think you'd both enjoy his complete disregard for health & safety 🤣. Stay safe, Love from London 🇬🇧
RIP! Fred.❤
Her name is Nicola Howard , Look at any video of the Mast At HMS Ganges which is considerably taller than this one .
This is why the Royal Navy is respected around the world.
At sea, those masts could from roll from 40° left to 40° right. You still had to climb the mast.
The survival of the ship and crew can rest on your shoulders. You have to be able to get up there and out on the yards to furl in the sails during a storm.
There were still sailing ships going around Cape Horn in WWl
And playing the old Hymn "For Those In Peril On The Sea" - all credit to those sailors!! Fantastic show.
She's not scared, she's emotional, she's proud.
Used to see this at the Royal Tournament. My favourite event after the Field Gun Race
Sadly we are losing these traditions. Growing up the gun race was my favourite. I think it's important both for the entertainment and pride of/in our armed forces that we try to keep these alive. Also, health and safety wasn't all consuming when I was growing up or even in the 90's as it is now. In some ways for the better as it allowed us to do things which wouldn't be possible now.
too many things are being stopped now to 'health and safety' soon there'll be nothing left to do.
Such a shame they don't do the Royal Tournament any more. The Royal Navy Field Gun Competition was the highlight of the show.
Manning the mast and the Navel Gun race where stopped; 1, because of the injuries, and 2, those skills were no longer needed in the modern Royal Navy.
@@Puckoon2002 I was told the Gun Race was stopped because such a large number of men were spending so much time practising that the shrinking Navy couldn't carry-on working properly with them unavailable for their normal jobs. In other words, was stopped due to cuts in defence budgets. There was never a shortage of men wanting to take part.
@@58jennypenny Yeah. Which is ironic. Being in the armed forces isn't about being "safe" is it?
It should be about being able to handle dangerous situations.
From the looks of it, training for the Field Gun competition was perfect for teaching lessons on cooperation, the balance between precision and speed, and a whole lot of other things.
Ok am I the only one who loves the old telephone box on the shelf in the background 😂
When I was a boy they were everywhere.
@@stevengriffin7873 yea I remember those days in the 1970s and 80s they where everywhere 😂. In the town I live only seen one nowadays
@@bravo060777 Designed by a famous architect too.They really had character something that's out of step with these times.
@@stevengriffin7873 I seem to recall that they were "Modernised"
But the up-date version was never carried out across the land, as people simply: "Did not like them"!
The original boxes remain to this day in most parts.
My dad was a WWII navy man too. He was a part of the task force in the South Pacific alongside the Americans against the Japanese. He was on a battleship and was regularly dive-bombed by Japanese kamikaze pilots. He was just 19 years old. Bless him.
Your Dad was a HERO!!
@@TheNatashaDebbieShow - Thank you, he was my hero. Your comment lit up my day. 🥰🥰
My dad was in the navy on escorts on the Russian convoys
My Dad was in the South Pacific too, C M - part of the ship's company on HMS Howe. What ship did your Father serve on - if you know ?
@@andrewtongue7084 - Yes, it was HMS Howe. He’d say, over the years, that when people at home were celebrating VE Day, they were still battling for their lives. He distinctly remembered the sound of the 14” guns constantly firing. Also the close-call incident of a Kamikaze plane hitting the deck and bouncing off into the water. He worked as a radio operator in the war room where he received battle status and enemy position updates and would write the information backwards on a glass screen to be seen by the strategists beyond the screen who stood around a large table top map making decisions and counter decisions. Fascinating stuff.
It’s crazy that our fathers shared the same sights, sounds, fears, and comradeship. Small world. 👍
I saw The Manning of The Mast at The Lincolnshire Show years ago and music was played by The Band of The Coldstream Guards. It is traditional to have a tot of rum.
I remember watching all these millitary tournaments when I was young and always felt pride in my country and fellow countrymen and women, in what we were able to do. I could never serve myself as the military would never take me, but I can support them in other ways.
I'm chuckling coz I was stood on a chair cleaning the tops of the kitchen units yesterday and bricking it(aka panicking)every time it wobbled x
I remember being taken to HMS Ganges as a kid to watch the mast manning ceremony. Very impressive indeed. The button was about the size of a dinner plate. The button boy was traditionally the youngest recruit at Ganges, usually about 15 years old at the time I got to see it about 1970.
A cousin of mine who fought in the Falklands conflict used to do this and during practice slipped and fell. He caught one of the cross bars and stopped his fall but was deemed too injured to carry on in the Navy. After a medical discharge he went into the police and served for another 2 or 3 decades. I think his injuries were mainly in his back and restricted his ability to carry out his work in the Navy (he was a navigator in a helicopter). He was a good police officer and did several jobs including armed response and VIP protection team (including the Royals).
Perhaps you should watch a video of Fred Dibnah, steeplejack. He was totally fearless and it would make your heart shrivel!
Everytime I hear " Hearts of Oak " it takes me right back to my recruit days.
The tune makes you stand taller and your heart swell with pride.
My brother in law was button boy over 55 years ago.
It’s a very impressive honour and thing to do.
I couldn’t do it that’s for sure.
Thanks for a great reaction both of you
My dad was in the Royal Navy and loved this. The 1st time I saw it, I must have been 7 or 8 and my 1st thought was, whats the fuss about... sailors do that at sea. Then he pointed out they are kids.. then I watched them going higher, them the crazy person went to the top and I was almost shaking with fear for them... a moment as a child I'll never forget
❤ from Northeast England ❤️
I love watching American's react to our stuff. Something we take for granted but clearly, it is remiss of us to do so. Thanks ladies for your tribute to all your allies at the front of your video - appreciated.
I did this in 1977 for the late queen’s jubilee my place was mission 6, (the back mast of 3 on a ship) at sea coming into Brest (France). Just a side note this was also done from church steeples in England as late as 1913 on national holidays. The navy greeting is “harts of oak”. (Which is also the name of the navy’s anthem)
My uncle did this when he was at HMS Ganges, it was the traditional passing out activity. My grandparents travelled all the way from Scotland and my Gran saw none of it- she watched the whole thing with her hands over her eyes!
You could react to the Royal Navy window ladder display team. Back in the age of sail, the navy needed a way to build fitness and strength in its sailors. The exercises they created were turned into a display, which was presented at shows like the Royal Tournament. Enjoy.
As you said at the beginning, that video was from the East of England show. The showground is about five miles from where I live, and my dad used to show livestock there. There were lots of different displays in the arena, but the navy climbing the mast is one of the few that I still remember. 12/13 year old me was somewhere in the crowd watching that.
Just watched your video. As a veteran of Her late Majesty's Royal Navy may I say you two patriotic girls crack me up? For all the best reasons. Your politeness, interest, and wonder at our bonkers British armed forces traditions makes me love your channel, you charmers. Also it reminds me of serving with your fellow countrymen and women around the world, and the most especial hospitality I was shewn in The United States every single time I was there. Just because I was a sailor in The Royal Navy I was treated like I was the King. Undeserved, but very welcome to a lad far from home. Always felt safer, in uniform, in the States than anywhere else on earth. And most appreciated. Including Britain. Regards. Your's Aye, William.
Watching this when I was younger convinced me NOT to join the Royal Navy! Instead I joined the Army, being shot at by nutters in NI was a lot safer!
Wow I'm british and I never knew we did this. Amazing
Watch John Noakes from Blue Peter climb the mast at HMS Ganges.
This channel is fantastic. The ladies are real Anglophiles and have showcased the BEST of the British military. I really would recommend all their other stuff on here.
It was done on a regular basis at HMS Ganges a new entry training establishment at Shotley Gate, nr Ipswich, the mast was much larger than this one.
@@teecee1567 I second that 👍
@@geoffpoole483
I’ve watched that and it’s terrifying…. Also another toe curler is Fred Dibnah climbing and laddering a chimney stack in the 1980s
"Ya. Um. YIKES!", that says everything. Great video.
Putting in an 'anchor' for the rope the 'button boy (gal)' slides down. They recieved a 'tot of rum' at the end.
First time I have seen a Button Gal. Utmost respect.
You should review a children’s TV presenter, John Noakes, climbing Nelson’s Column without any safety harness or even a hard hat. And in his street clothes. You will love it.
I just mentioned this too. It was the first thing I thought of on seeing this!
Ah, crap. Sorry, Horace, I didn't see your comment before posting my own suggestion. Yes, this! A thousand times this!
Didn’t he also do this manning the mast?
fred dibnar up that chimney!
I was just going to suggest John Noakes too. He was a hero and his relationship with his trusty dog Shep was the sweetest thing. Definitely love to see Natasha and Debbie react to this highlight of my childhood. Huge respect to the navy boys and girl for this awesome display too.
Two recommendations - The musical ride of the Household Cavalry. Blends military music, tradition and impeccably trained horses so I think it will be right up your street.
Secondly, this one is sadder, but with November coming up, you could take a look at the Festival of Remembrance, specifically the building of the Drum Altar at the Royal Albert Hall.
And the musical drive of the Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery!
ruclips.net/video/ywTZ5IB4O3o/видео.html
The ceremony at the Cenotaph in November to honour the War Dead.
@@alanaw27 Oh, absolutely. I just recommended the Festival because there's more pageantry and symbolism to it, which seems to be N and D's preference.
But not the rest of it. It's turned into showbiz razzamatazz and an insult to the original Festival.
All our sailors used to get. a tot of rum (71 mls) every day but unfortunately it was stopped in 1970.
I’m ex RAF, and I have nothing but admiration for all branches of our military.
Loved to see your reactions to this. My dad manned the mast in his naval training, making it to the topyard, which was required of all cadets. The button remained out of his comfort zone, he said those that completed it were not, as you might think, as mad as a fish, but in fact, the quiet ones.
Women have been a part of the British armed forces for centuries but only started to get more integration in the 1990s. As of 2018, all positions are now vailable to women including special forces and serving on our Vanguard class submarines.
I'm officially impressed! You should check out Fred Dibnah laddering a chimney.
I joined HMS Ganges in 1961 at age 15, which had a mast of 147'high, and every new entry had to climb the mast in the first 6 weeks up to the Half Moon level, which was 95' refusal meant dismissal from the service. I never saw anyone refuse. There are videos on RUclips, just type in HMS Ganges it is far more spectacular than this modern-day one.. plus, it is accompanied by a RM band. Check it out.
Traditions like this really do need to be kept alive - Imagin this on a multi masted ship at sea, rolling around in a storm - Master and Commander: Far Side of the World, did the subject true justice. Historical events like the Gun Run, the Musical Ride of the RHA and love the Rifle Brigade doing their "double" - comical and impressive at the same time! I do love the history of the Royal Navy - the wooden world of Nelson and Trafalgar. HMS Victory is a fantastic visit to give a glimpse of that world. History you can walk around inside of. Magical, which only grows more meaningful as you get older, I suspect.
I actually went through HMS Ganges late in 1975 (it closed down in 1976) the mast there was bigger than the one shown I managed to get to the first spar but that was as far as my legs would let me go they just said no, no NO! Its also probably why I decided to go to submarines as I figured out I dont like heights. The mast as HMS Ganges is currently being restored (as an item of British heritage) and should be restored to its former glory but without any access to its heights as its the centre piece of a housing project (you can search for videos on its restoration if you wish) there was also a children's tv show called Blue Peter (the flag that is flown just before a ship sets sail) and one of the presenters actually went up the mast at Ganges (he didnt make it to the button though) so I suggest you search for John Noakes, Blue Peter, HMS Ganges mast and you may get to see that one. Loving the work your doing keep it up .
I really miss seeing this on the TV and the field gun race. It brought back happy memories. It made us so proud of our armed services. I loved the history that went with these events.
Haha, I could hear my father laughing as I watched that. He joined the Royal Navy in 1912 as a "boy sailor" - he was fifteen. They put the group of boy recruits on to a fully-rigged sailing ship used for training and took them a mile offshore.
Then they sent them up the rigging. They didn't let them come all the way down - at some point they had to jump. Which meant diving off the rigging, clear off the ship and into the sea. And then, drum roll, they had to swim to shore. Couldn't dive? You learned. Couldn't swim? Start moving your legs.
My dad was a boy from inner London; he had barely seen the Thames let alone the sea. He became a champion diver. And, to add to that, he became a signaller - in other words, he often had to climb round, through, and up the rigging to post message flags when the fleet was at sea. He did that at the Battle of Jutland, in the freezing North Sea, some of the roughest seas in the world. He became a Chief Yeoman of Signals and served 25 years - and he made darn sure that all of his children could swim.
I've listened to many dits (tales of naval experiences) over the years from 3 generations of family who served in the RN but this is something I have not heard of before and I found your father's story fascinating. Thank you for sharing it!😁 I think they used to call this character building in the RN 🇬🇧 and it's sounds as though your dad had that in spades!
I used to see them practicing this when I worked in a naval establishment in the 90's.
It was amazing!
I watched The Royal Tournament on TV every year and saw this a couple of times. Thank you so much for reviewing this old footage, it has brought back many happy memories. More of this would be most welcome :-) x
Thank you so much Natasha and Debbie for showing us this! It made me feel proud, hysterical (with nervous laughter) and terrified all at the same time. What an amazing young woman she was!!
Thank you for your comment!! This was mind blowing!!
She was fearless
Love ur reactions to our military & ur love for armed forces,
14:11 There is a bent piece of tubing attached to the topmost platform. It runs vertically upwards between the thighs makes a detour backwards (for obvious reasons) and continues up behind the lower and middle back.
Thank you folks, I'm English, and it's awesome to see people appreciating each others culture instead of tearing it apart, just subscribed, and I will be watching many more of your videos. 👍🍻🙋♂️❤️
Huge congratulations on reaching 6 million views!!!!!!
Awsome job girls.
Can I also thank you for your coverage of the Queens death.
Heartfelt and much appreciated.
Keep the great work up.
Love from the UK x
The reason this was done at the East of England showground was because it was a show for the public and what the Royal Navy found in the past was that if you hold it onboard a ship the crowd watching tend to drown so a field makes a better idea for public shows lol. You sounded surprised to see the Royal Marine Band, why? Royal Marines (Clue is in the name) are part of the Royal Navy not the British army.
The "Blue Peter mast manning" by the BBC is a great example of of this event. It's performed by 16 & 17 yearold naval recruits with a legendary British childrens presenter John Noakes. It has commentary with it. Prepare to be scared.
The bit where they climb upside down is amazing
Thanks
Love you two excellent content
Rob Irvine
Blackpool Lancashire
UK
X
Gosh, this has taken me back! Met my husband in 1986 at college and he joined the Fleet Air Arm Division of the Royal Navy ⚓in 1988 and served until 2011. We live close to Portsmouth and many of the Navy training establishments. He was based at HMS Daedalus just a hop, skip and a jump away from our home at the time this video was made (although that base has now closed and become a civilian airfield) . I remember the Mast Manning display team from Daedalus would perform this display at the Navy Days which were then and are still open to all to come along and enjoy! This may well be the same team as they would've travelled to attend other events.
I literally had my heart in my mouth when watching them back in the day. 😬 Im pretty sure I was told that the button boy/girl was traditionally the youngest team member! One of the last displays took place on Southsea common during the commemorations of VJ day in 1995 if I remember correctly (the old grey cells are a bit dodgy these days 🤣).
Interested to hear HMS Ganges mentioned as my hubby's great Uncle went there as a young recruit when he joined up (that was before WW2) we have a copy of his memoirs but it's years since I last looked at them. I must take a peek to see if he mentions the Mast Manning. Sorry for the long post
Thank you for sharing this video, it has triggered a lot of happy memories for me today! 🥰
Give Fred Dibnah a look, a northern England steeplejack. You will definitely hold your breathe!
Your foot tapping tune is “Heart of Oak” which is the Navy’s marching tune. They also use that tune to March on to the gun race 😀
That last-ish song they are playing was one of my favourite hymns we used to sing in assembly, held everyday at the beginning of school. Its very appropriate as its name is 'For Those In Peril On The Sea'
It’s one of my favourite hymns too.
I have so much respect for these girls and lads who did this, I get dizzy looking up but not down but this is something else . The Mast race is the hardest the gun race is just as hard but in a different way .
For these lads and girl
Loved watching you two watching this ! Thank you for your appreciation of our traditions. 😊
I have to say that watching your reactions is as much fun as watching the performance. You two are fast becoming MY heroes 🙂
I live in Ipswich, which isn’t far away from Shotley,,our local paper said the 142 ft mast has been taken down, to be restored,should be interesting to see it all in its glory again..
That was totally amazing. What a brilliant piece of history, tradition and bravery.
I did this at H.M.S Ganges in 72 when I was 15😊
I live 1/2 mile from both Daedalus, and what was Ganges. My brother in law was once button boy at Ganges, a great honour. This was usually done at sea, so you would have a lot of wind. Imagine a boat swaying in wind, and the 'sails had to be unfurled. This still has to be done on 'tall ships'. Imagine this being done at the Battle of Trafalgar. This is traditional and goes back to 1500s. Bravo young lady!!!
My father was a veteran of Dunkirk, (Army, Engineer) and was back in France (Army, Transport Corps) to help spread the word of its liberation day, and after the war, was in Palestine. One of my uncles was Royal Navy, the other a distinguished Royal Air Force officer. Their father was a Navy man too.
As much as you think this exercise in the wind was terrifying, you need to remember that having the mast firmly attached to terra firma basically makes this nothing but an easy training exercise, compared the the greater winds likely on open waters on a boat rocking and tossing on the waves. That it is a training exercise is so that when the sailors had to do it for real, in emergency, such as climbing the masts in a sudden squall or storm to urgently furl heavy, wet sails in storm conditions there was a level of great familiarity and muscle memory to help them, and the familiarity of all those drills to help steel their nerves and calm their fears, well, all those practices pay off.
Tradition, even when it seems crazy or pointless, serves a lot of the same purposes. In times of strong emotion, doubt, fear, being able to follow a tradition and know that untold generations before you have been here, survived, and passed down their tradition to help you follow in their steps, well, it can be immensely helpful. My father told me that something his time in the Military had taught him is that there are many circumstances where it is better to have a plan, even a bad one, than to be lost and confused and do nothing at all. For a perfect illustration, think about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and how easy it was to feel lost and uncertain in the aftermath, but all the pomp and ceremony of her funeral, and of the subsequent kings Coronation, helped people to feel there was a plan, that this may be unknown to us personally and individually, but that many have been there before us, many will be there after us, and that life goes on.
The mast at Shotley was taken down earlier this year for refurbishment as the housing estate that is being built on this site has agreed to keep the mast as a historic landmark to represent the history of the site.
Remember watching these displays when I was younger and seeing your faces was priceless 🙈😀
Love the expressions on your faces while watching it 👍
We were FREAKING OUT!!
Aww, they're playing 'For those in peril on the sea'. Old old seafarers hymn.
The content just keeps getting better and better another awesome episode thanks girls keep up the good work
Thank you Paul!! ❤️
Just found your channel. You girls are amazing. Get a real warmth from you both. Lin. From Kintyre Scotland.xx
Just love these two ladies....your love of our traditions etc is really heartwarming...long may your videos continue...thank you.
My husband did h.m.s ganges in the 60s , and he climbed this mast many times ! The royal navy were truly tough then !
Thank you for saying that you love our traditions. The thing is, we, especially our armed forces, have been around for so long we've developed loads of obscure weird & wonderful traditions to choose from.
Fabulous video ladies x
Morning ladies, so glad you got on this one. Check out the white helmets motorcycle display team, they will blow your mind. Another great video thanks 💖😁
Heart of Oak are our ships,
Jolly Tars are our men,
We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.
I love this! Even though five rungs up a ladder is a white-knuckle ride for me!!! Another one for your list is "The Tall Ships Race" I'm pretty sure some nations still do this when entering harbour. I saw this done on a Swedish 4-master when it arrived in Liverpool years ago, very very impressive! Great video...
Even marching into the stadium - impeccable
I forgot all about that thanks for reminding me Natasha & Debbie I wished they had kept that tradition
We loved it!! Thanks so much for watching ❤️
Great video, thank you. I 'manned the mast' in 1973 (I was 16), in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh. I manned the upper yardarm (top horizontal) also in the wind. I never made it to the 'button', too far to fall!!! This brought back memories.....
Imagine this,on a stormy sea.