Watching the Sailor series in 76 drove me to join the RN. Watched one episode and went to the recuiting office the next day. Joined 6 weeks later and had the time of my life. I never met Tom Wilkinson but what a top man.
I was lucky enough to be on board when Sailor was filmed, made friends with Patrick Turley the cameraman. Tom was there too. I am fortunate to have his wife on facebook as a friend.
I joined a few years later, and watching this brings back such fantastic memories, Tom is so likeable, sad he has passed now. I wonder where Twinks is these days.
@@jonathanlegg4308 While on the follow up video which this is part of he had been sectioned after some trouble with his partner. He seemed okay and he said, Now actually have a certificate to prove I'm sane.
Had my fair share of being in front of the commander and Tom Wilkinson, he was a fair man and treated you with respect.. the best years of my life serving on HMS Ark Royal 1975 to 1977 , now aged 65 and I still think about my days in the Navy
I served 88-98 and like yourself I look back to those days with pride, the people the places..just great.This documentary is a delight to watch. When he sees the Ark being dismantled I feel for him. Do you imagine what it's like on today's carriers? The equivalent of the Type 42s seem quite spacious and rating friendly.
I never served in the military but served as a police officer. This man’s style of enforcing discipline (a little thing called common sense) was what used to be expected of a police officer and indeed still was when I joined in 1981. Knowing when to give a verbal warning, knowing when it was necessary to report or arrest were the day to day skills of a copper. I saw and worked with lots like him and aspired to be like that. It’s not easy and only the school of hard knocks and learning from your mistakes makes you that way. Now it’s all policies, ticking boxes and woe betide any copper that dares to use common sense. Modern day police officers are more like automatons following an algorithm. We desperately need a return to these old fashioned common sense values, I’m sure the world would be a better place for it.
Couldn't agree more. A lot of coppers get crap for what they are doing, but all they can do is what their senior officers tell them to do. Most officers are great people.
A friend whose son left the railway police to join the city police to do some "real policing" went back to the railways in a little over a year. He said they kept going back to the same people for the same things they were more a division of social services than police
@@freebeerfordworkersI was in the BTP (railway police), after 20 years transferred to Essex Police, didn’t get on with it at all, exactly the same thing, it was all domestics and neighbour disputes and chasing around after latchkey kids. I stuck it out for 5 years then went back to BTP, I dealt with far more interesting work with BTP, some decent meaty stuff. The county forces get involved with crap that they shouldn’t be dealing with and get used by the public as tools in their personal vendettas with each other.
@@mjspice100 Yes many years ago police superintendent friend told me they used to decide the most serious issue on their patch to deal with. Now it seems the media decide what the police should be doing when they are not actually spying on them for any kind of misbehaviour
I’m 64, and a US Navy veteran. I have a great deal of respect for the Royal Navy. Fleet MAA was the kind of man that set the example for others to follow.
@B1900pilot I remember a run ashore in Gib back in the late 80's where my Minesweeper was docked. A Yank Destroyer was just down the basin from us. We were drinking in the "Captains Cabin" pub...you guys came in and started taking the piss out of our tiny ship. We weren't going to take it and a fight ensued. We kicked the crap out of you guys but we ALL ended up getting locked up for the night....lol. Back on board we all got trooped...but it was worth it. Three weeks later (ish) we were out and about in Rotterdam and met up again! This time we had a fantastic time with the same lads from the Destroyer. Aren't sailors weird!?
Leadership like respect, is earned, never shown. Huge difference between authority and Leadership. Using authority is like Leading from behind. Respect is leading from the front.
What a decent chap. I watched the whole of the series a couple of years back and it makes me sad that our armed forces have been treated so badly by bean counting tossers in Whitehall. I was born in 1977 and worked as a civil servant for the Navy up near the Isle of Skye. When I was 17 I was an admin assistant and met some really lovely RN officers. They were like Mr Wilkinson, they cared deeply about the men/women they were responsible for. Mr Wilkinson was a truly nice guy - he didn’t punish for the sake of it, he wasn’t mean and he wasn’t a bully. I wish todays bosses were half as kind and led by example like he did. Thank you to everyone who served in the RN, the Army and RAF. The Royal Marines too. Thank you for keeping our waters and our country safe.
I crossed uncle Toms path on many occasion,good and bad,and found him to be a fair and honest man.He was well liked and respected by most on his "war canoe".I had the privelage to attend his funeral service and pay my respects.
I seem to remember my father being his messman on the Albion 1964. My brother and I went exploring where we shouldn't have during the commision service after lunch in a ward room. Brown for Archie!
13:30 my favourite part when he tells off that Lieutenant for being late. The lieutenant may outrank a warrant officer and he still calls him sir but everyone knows who has the real authority. You can see the PO grinning in the background gotta love it.
A real sailor’s sailor, and always put the crew and ship before himself. He often had to administer discipline, but with an eye toward getting a man on the right track.
It was a sad day for me when after two commission's onboard the ark, the day I left to go on draft from her, went to Toms funeral and met his wife Sheila, a lovely lady she is . Only went to the Captains table once and that was to get promoted.
I was with 892 from 76 to the end. A sad day for all of us. I am in touch with Sheila in FB which is nice. I only saw the table up at RAF Leuchars while home with 892. 3 days adrift back off of leave...
Tom Wilkinson is legendary to those who knew him in both the Royal Navy and US Navy. The old Ark was always a welcome friend into Mayport and Norfolk back in the 70s.
Men like this gentleman - and those that he mentored - are what made this island of ours the finest in the world! Look at your history you 3 ney-sayers and be humbled by what people such as these did in days gone by, so that you have the freedom to say what you say today!
Discipline and courtesy will bring you far in life. That is what the boss was teaching. The men may not have realised it, but given an education when speaking to the man. Song at the end is an Irish drinking song
had a few run-ins with Uncle Tom when he was MAA on HMS Eagle but he was always fair and did,nt hold a grudge,I can look back now and smile though I did,nt when I was awarded No 9 punishment
What a great watch. Been up Pen Y Fan today and chilling in my YHA bunk. My late brother served on HMS Andromeda in the 70’s. I still remember going to see him, think we did a tour of his ship. How the world has changed since and not all for the better. Simon.
Tom was Master at Arms at HMS Heron (Yeovilton) When I was there from 1969 until 1971. (No WO's or Fleet Chiefs then) I gained a big grin out of him one day! The Master being the only non comissioned officer on a ship or establishment to carry a sword! I enquired as to whether his was a "Wikinson Sword"! :-) He Had been posted (as FMAA) to Ark Royal when I joined it with 892Sqdn in 1973 :-)
I was ground radio 766 767 892 at Heron joined ark trafalger day 1972 and left a year later at Leuchars we might have met .... I can confirm Tom was a truly fair man and a gentleman..... he should have been knighted if he wasn’t..
@@Super8Rescue do you remember when the ground crew swapped the plaster/poly filler for white chalk powder when bricks and works department were painting aircrew kitchen.
Love this and also how he could smoke in front of a senior Officer. Nowadays, you'd be arrested. Looks like the 90's and previous decades were the best to be serving the RN.
I had several meetings with the commander at Portland. One of them was the MOD Police tried to charge me to speeding through the dockyard at 60 mph in a VW beetle and they collared me on the hill going up to the accommodation area. I was at the table and pleaded guilty to speeding but no way near 60 mph. I expressed to the commander that I would have been astonished if my car would have done that speed. The commander agreed and I was admonished. Happy dayz. 😁😁😁😁😁
I am ex army officer and I met senior ranks like Mr Wilkinson and they are the glue that holds the service together I still go to my reunions and still call them Mr Smith Mr Jones out of the respect i hold for them Long service Senior NCO or rating are in general gems that will always sparkle even after service I salute you Sir
I could imagine Tom saying to you " ....now now, you got the Commission from her gracious majesty, Sir. You can address by my rating or by my formal salutation "Mr Wilkinson", Sir".
@@walboyfredo6025 Its an odd thing I still get to regimental reunions and i still call my old Sgt Majors Mr They call me now by my first name which is great I lost one of my old WO2 ,s a year ago and it took some getting over Senior NCOs make the services what they are god bless them
i left the Ark just after the last deployment in 78. I remember the Fleet MAA very well. Especially on pay day. But he did give me a kit muster once for wearing my red football socks at action stations. Lesson learned. This man had the utmust respect of all onboard. They broke the mould with Tom.
As a teenager I worked for Colin Renwick (RIP) at his Kite shop in Wandsworth, and after building kites in another of his ventures. Great bloke. Strict, but fair. I understand he was the jaunty on the final sailing. He must have learned a lot from this guy. He actually gave me his peaked cap. I wore a similar one for school, and his was so much better than mine. Change of band/badge, and I was styling!
Tom comes across as real father figure to the lads. Strict but his primary goal is their well-being and safety. The very epitome of a Senior NCO. RIP It must be a comfort to his family that he is here in the prime of his career.
@@Super8Rescue Please - if you feel it is right and proper - convey my condolences to this man's widow. As I stated above, I never served - (something I truly regret!) - but my late father did and; like this gentleman, his heart truly was of BRITISH Oak!
@@georgebuller1914 hi George if you are in touch with sheila could you please pass on my regards and condolences to her i knew them in Singapore when tom was on hms forth regards mike locking
In memory of Alan (Sam ) Barnett who served in Ark Royal during the making of "Sailor" in 1976. He was my best man's Dad, and a lovely bloke. I remember seeing Tom Wilkinson on the programme at the time and he was a decent, decent man. A quick look around the internet seems to show that Tom passed away in April 2015 with his funeral having been on the 21st of that month. Fair winds good sir !
I was on Ark V R07 for just under 2years, The joss was WOMAA Legs Diamond, he was firm but fair. The reggies were mostly ok and they got me out of the rattle a couple of times with a warning. Much appreciated.
The last scenes with the remains of ARK are so poignant. Unless youve served youll never understand how much the men and women of the armed forces give to the nation. Its not just a job. It's literally blood, tears, sweat. It's anger, frustration, love and joy. It is a wholly unique feeling to be part of it and to feel at one with your Ship, aircraft or team. There is no feeling like it in the world.
I clearly remember Sailor when it was first broadcast in 1976, and what seems a lifetime ago. The FMAA, Tom Wilkinson, was the stand-out character from the series, old school firm but fair, forming the backbone of the Royal Navy. I would love to have met him during his lifetime and bought him a pint. I am though aware that he died back in 2015 but he, and all the very best traditions that he represented, will live on with this compilation from the series.
cheers Mark. I have his wife Sheila, on my FB. She loves my cat videos and says hello often. A very dear friend indeed. Tom is a legend without doubt. He was the only chap to ever address me by my first name. I knew him 1976/8
@@Super8Rescue Thank you for your reply to my post. My late father served in the Fleet Air Arm between 1950 and 1963, so it is possible that he and Tom Wilkinson crossed paths at some point; one never knows! Obviously I have never met Sheila and know of her only through the television series where Tom played a starring role. I am though pleased to learn that she is still with us and I would be happy for you to pass on the best wishes of a complete stranger like me, and to say that even after 45 years her late husband's decentness still shines through in spades. Best wishes to you and yours. Kind regards Mark Rowley
@@catcherintheair It might be Chris Parry, mentioned in despatches for his actions in the Falklands conflict and subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral.
@@docdr7199 It is indeed Chris Parry. He mentions the experience on Ark Royal and the associated documentary filming in his book "Down South" (which is well worth a read).
I joined the Royal Navy because my Mum said it would be a good idea, I was good at baking cakes, "why don't you join the Navy" I am pleased she did push me, it was a good thing. it certainly made me the man I am today.
Very moving at 23:08 just that glance back from the previously jovial ship breaker. The sudden realisation that his day job of scrap metal can bring a hard-as-nails fighting man to tears.
If you go to Fleet Air Arm Museum they have a mock-up of this ship. I was 12 or 13 and lucky enough to go to sea on her for a family day. Still feel this was one of the best days i ever had. She was moored off Torpoint/Millbrook for a while before being towed away for scrap. I watched her go. So sad.
At least my three war canoes are at the bottom of the sea, where they should be. A true man of the Royal Navy, Remember my Fleet Chief (Tas) gave me a bollocking once, he never got another chance, to much respect for him.
Sad to see a beautiful ship who served her country for so long and who looked after her crew and always brought them back home being cut up for scrap. My father worked on her when she was being built and we were always so proud of her. 🥺 Very sad . They could have done as the Americans do . Turn her into a museum.
I am well aware of the feeling made by this gentleman whom i served with on the ship. Like him i think that despite her size, this ship should have been kept as a bit of history, having served the U.K. for many many years.. I was still on this ship when shen ended her service, and had the job of dismantling the wardroom and captains quaters, it should at least be remebered for being the ship of which the documentry was made that captivated for many peoples hearts with the song "We are Sailing" Sadly my job was as a member of the S.M.A. and as such helped to create the fate of this vessel, and many others, usually conducted by these ships last trip, such as the Diamond class destroyers plus many others which really ment that i did a lot of sea time, plus a lot of special visits to some unusual ports, there are many things i remember of these trips.
The final scenes were filmed at Cairnryan breakers yard at Loch Ryan. In all four carriers were dismantled there, the first was HMS Centaur in 1972. I grew up in Stranraer (opposite side of the loch) and remember HMS Eagle being broken up, then came Ark Royal, she was gone by the end of '83 (as seen here) eventually to make way for HMS Bulwark. Cruiser HMS Blake can be seen at 26:20 top left which arrived in-between the two carriers. The breakers yard lasted into the 1990s, contracted to dispose of old Soviet diesel-electric submarines.
Aaahhh what a blast from the past......I knew the young steward in trouble,he was a lot tougher than he looks.He got the chance of the job of his dreams but couldn't get out of the navy to take it.His only option was to apply for the royal marines and had to pass the training course ( the hardest in the world) so that he could resign in time to get the job.......... One of my personal experiences with the JOS master at arms was coming down a ladder from the heads and bathroom, just as I got to the bottom he was there and didn't move an inch.....I backed up to the top and he followed me step by step... At the top he looked directly in my face and said " am I hurting you son"? " No sir" I said " I should be I'm stood on your bloody hair.....GET IT CUT"...... he was as tough as they come and would make sure you get a fair punishment for any offence you had committed. I'm proud to have been part of the same navy he was a principal player in....... the days before the love boats we have today,..... like the old saying " when ships were made of wood and the men made of iron" hahaha 🤣 The best years of my life,
Got trooped by him in 1971 on HMS Eagle for retaining a can of beer in my locker overnight. Punishment 14 days 9’s. Just having a wet before dinner, having afternoon watch.
Punishments. They came in different shapes and sizes 9's 10's 14's From the jackspeak site: No 9 punishment was basically stoppage of leave and 2 hours extra work. Normally awarded as either 7 or 14 days. If ashore to prove you were on board you had to muster at the various times of the day. Normally first muster would be 0600. Last muster 2200 plus lots in between. The two hours extra work was normally carried out in the dogs. Worse bit was you were also banned from using the NAAFI so couldn't get a beer. If you missed a muster more days 9s could be added.
my late dad David Edmund george LAMO, served on the Albion, Eagle, Victorious,Ark Royal,between 1957until 1974 when he took voluntary redudanicy as the fixed wigs were phased out, thank you so much for this video, he would have definately have encountered this legend Master at Arms
You're very welcome. Tom was very well known and loved by just about everyone. His wife is still with us and often makes comments in a facebook group where he is remembered with great affection.
14-54: I've never served myself (my late father was 21 years Royal Navy - including 6 years during WWII!) but in my lifetime, I have known managers like this gentleman. Hard but fair! By the book - but able to flex! Man management is a skill! Some can learn it; some are born with it - ALL the best are blessed with it!
@@Super8Rescue I was only in fleet air arm from 68 to 76 Tom was an inspiration too us all .... I was a REM(A) but for getting married I would still be in the Andrew
@super 8 hi, I used to know Tom and Sheila when I was the Prudential rep for their area near Evesham.... please say hello to Sheila for me, I hope she remembers me from the mid 90s. I Used to pop in and see them any chance I could, love listening to Tom and all the stories.... I was in my 20s then , my name is Neal
Dear god...I know this was many years before my time in the Andrew, but the Defaulters scenes put the chills of the damned into me. Only had defaulters in HMS Ark Royal once myself, for absence from place of duty (due to assisting the flight deck crew to offboard the equipment of an RAF squadron beyond the end of my watch, which was recognised as a 'fine example of teamwork' by the Captain) so I missed morning muster, with charges dismissed with 'admonishment only'... ...and as for not deserving the scrapman's axe. Agreed. TOTALLY agreed. If the crabs can keep their old stuff flying, we should have kept one or two of our old carriers around as museums.
Im ex raf but its the same . The level headed caring snco.s keep everything working . And all the youngsters need to know theyve been there and done it . Much respect to a very decent man . Id salute you sir but that would be wrong and id get shouted at .
"returning onboard drunk" 🤣 most of us entire 925 ratings of HMS Tiger C20 1972 to 1975 we're highly skilled in the arts of coming back drunk !! In fact father rutter came back one night in Pompeii walked up the gangway collected his station card went across the deck and straight into the oggin on the other side and the lifeboat crews were actually scrambled to save him tied up alongside and that is a fact. Father Rutter was a Stoker who had been in the mob forever in the 70s and was part of the ship itself. There's a racy 9-minute tribute on my channel but hey regardless of anything else I wouldn't change those years for all the money in the world !
It makes you realize what went on behind the scene and that generally they did look after you. I got away with a lot more than some of these guys did because I had personal problems for a while and after a gigantic bollocking from the joss that I was in deep shit...nothing more was said.
It's a totally unique job where everyone above and below you has to call you _'Master,'_ and one or two did indeed let it go their heads. That said, you were more likely to come across an a-hole Regulator. If you were in the yard at Devonport and a flag officer was visiting, they'd provide an escort for him in one of their RN LR Defenders and look for sailors who didn't stop, come to attention and salute the flag on the car. Me and my mate were nabbed coming back from the CISCO one day, but to be fair we walked out from between two containers as the entourage passed, and we both had multiple coffees and bags of stickies in each hand. Back came the Defender, and out popped one of the Regulators. Then he flipped open his little notebook - *_"Neither one of you saluted. I want your names and your ship."_* Frowning deeply, we tentatively raised our filled hands in protest, but he repeated his demand. *_"Name and ship...?"_* So, I quickly took the initiative and gave him a false name and the name of the ship in the next dock to ours, and my mate followed suit. Ship-borne Regulators tended to be a bit more genial, but they knew it wasn't best practice to get too chummy with anyone,. It was rare to have one refuse you an extra crate of beer if you asked for one because there was a birthday in the mess. Not an easy job aboard ship, the naval Regulator, but they're not there to turn a blind eye and make friends.
Basically he's what the USN would call the Command Master Chief or Chief of the Boat in the case of a Submarine. Liason between the enlisted sailors and officers, guides junior officers and answers only to the Captain and/or 2IC, first officer, first mate, first lieutenant, XO, which title applies for the appropriate navy for the appropriate nation.
@26:40 just looking at the officers cap peak... the oak leaves don't meet in the middle....well I SAY they don't... that's assuming that his cap badge Is in the middle. Actually...thinking about it... the cap badge is on an elasticated black band...so I think it's more probable that the cap badge itself is a little skew whiff.
He would have joined as a junior rate, then joined regulating branch,and become a Leading Reg, RPO, MAA, Then Fleet Master at Arms. He was a senior rating, but Fleet Chiefs / Warrant Officers were called sir, and the Master at Arms carried a sword like officers. They also wore white overalls like officers. I was in ME branch 77 to 88, and knew both good and bad Regulators.
Also Baron HMS Bulwark was decommissioned in 1981, she was an ASW helicopter carrier. She would have been fitted with a "ski Jump" for the 82 conflict. Would have had 15-20 more harries, that would have provided more air cover. Who know the Welsh Guard would never been exposed.
@@walboyfredo6025 Problem was she put in 'unmaintained reserve' and when the conflict arose it would have taken six months to make Bulwark seaworthy again, meaning she would have sailed to the Falkland in October '82 at the earliest. Same timespan was given to helicopter cruisers HMS Blake and Tiger for reactivation.
@@henryvagincourt not politically correct at all ITS BEING CORRECT.I am highlighting the contribution the ALL members of the UK - and those who served from ALL areas of the UK.
@Shaun Mclaren there's recruiting offices all over the UK, there military bases/camps/establishment all over the UK and there's military memorials all over the UK. It'things like that should be kept in mind. PS There are number of Fijian, Tongan and Gurka personal who died in the middle east under our flag as well. And l am being factual not a blimp ok!
When men, were men and not p.c fairies. Lot of young lads got the discipline they needed off the old swets in the navy. Pretty Officer, pulling you up and telling it , how it is for once.
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Watching the Sailor series in 76 drove me to join the RN. Watched one episode and went to the recuiting office the next day. Joined 6 weeks later and had the time of my life. I never met Tom Wilkinson but what a top man.
I was lucky enough to be on board when Sailor was filmed, made friends with Patrick Turley the cameraman. Tom was there too. I am fortunate to have his wife on facebook as a friend.
I joined a few years later, and watching this brings back such fantastic memories, Tom is so likeable, sad he has passed now. I wonder where Twinks is these days.
@@jonathanlegg4308 While on the follow up video which this is part of he had been sectioned after some trouble with his partner. He seemed okay and he said, Now actually have a certificate to prove I'm sane.
Had my fair share of being in front of the commander and Tom Wilkinson, he was a fair man and treated you with respect.. the best years of my life serving on HMS Ark Royal 1975 to 1977 , now aged 65 and I still think about my days in the Navy
I served 88-98 and like yourself I look back to those days with pride, the people the places..just great.This documentary is a delight to watch. When he sees the Ark being dismantled I feel for him. Do you imagine what it's like on today's carriers? The equivalent of the Type 42s seem quite spacious and rating friendly.
“You’re not coming aboard my war canoe with hair like that”. Quality line !
You look like a Party!
what was with the hair? I didn't see anything
Those lines were positively brilliant! LOL 😆
@@JRJunior8624 - He looked like a bird, didn't you listen? LOL 😂
What a boss!
I never served in the military but served as a police officer. This man’s style of enforcing discipline (a little thing called common sense) was what used to be expected of a police officer and indeed still was when I joined in 1981. Knowing when to give a verbal warning, knowing when it was necessary to report or arrest were the day to day skills of a copper. I saw and worked with lots like him and aspired to be like that. It’s not easy and only the school of hard knocks and learning from your mistakes makes you that way.
Now it’s all policies, ticking boxes and woe betide any copper that dares to use common sense. Modern day police officers are more like automatons following an algorithm.
We desperately need a return to these old fashioned common sense values, I’m sure the world would be a better place for it.
Thanks for watching and for your words.
Couldn't agree more. A lot of coppers get crap for what they are doing, but all they can do is what their senior officers tell them to do. Most officers are great people.
A friend whose son left the railway police to join the city police to do some "real policing" went back to the railways in a little over a year. He said they kept going back to the same people for the same things they were more a division of social services than police
@@freebeerfordworkersI was in the BTP (railway police), after 20 years transferred to Essex Police, didn’t get on with it at all, exactly the same thing, it was all domestics and neighbour disputes and chasing around after latchkey kids. I stuck it out for 5 years then went back to BTP, I dealt with far more interesting work with BTP, some decent meaty stuff. The county forces get involved with crap that they shouldn’t be dealing with and get used by the public as tools in their personal vendettas with each other.
@@mjspice100 Yes many years ago police superintendent friend told me they used to decide the most serious issue on their patch to deal with. Now it seems the media decide what the police should be doing when they are not actually spying on them for any kind of misbehaviour
The “ Dad” to “ sons “ of his ship ! Great guy. Discipline combined with understanding!
As a FMA he was very very good. RIP !
I’m 64, and a US Navy veteran. I have a great deal of respect for the Royal Navy. Fleet MAA was the kind of man that set the example for others to follow.
@B1900pilot I remember a run ashore in Gib back in the late 80's where my Minesweeper was docked. A Yank Destroyer was just down the basin from us. We were drinking in the "Captains Cabin" pub...you guys came in and started taking the piss out of our tiny ship. We weren't going to take it and a fight ensued. We kicked the crap out of you guys but we ALL ended up getting locked up for the night....lol. Back on board we all got trooped...but it was worth it.
Three weeks later (ish) we were out and about in Rotterdam and met up again! This time we had a fantastic time with the same lads from the Destroyer. Aren't sailors weird!?
Leadership like respect, is earned, never shown.
Huge difference between authority and Leadership.
Using authority is like Leading from behind.
Respect is leading from the front.
What a decent chap. I watched the whole of the series a couple of years back and it makes me sad that our armed forces have been treated so badly by bean counting tossers in Whitehall. I was born in 1977 and worked as a civil servant for the Navy up near the Isle of Skye. When I was 17 I was an admin assistant and met some really lovely RN officers. They were like Mr Wilkinson, they cared deeply about the men/women they were responsible for. Mr Wilkinson was a truly nice guy - he didn’t punish for the sake of it, he wasn’t mean and he wasn’t a bully. I wish todays bosses were half as kind and led by example like he did. Thank you to everyone who served in the RN, the Army and RAF. The Royal Marines too. Thank you for keeping our waters and our country safe.
Thanks for that, Tom a proper man, He is survived by his widow, who I am friends with, and what a pleasure that is.
Tom Wilkinson. British navy legend.
Tom Wilkinson, he was a great Jossman. Not many like him.
I crossed uncle Toms path on many occasion,good and bad,and found him to be a fair and honest man.He was well liked and respected by most on his "war canoe".I had the privelage to attend his funeral service and pay my respects.
I seem to remember my father being his messman on the Albion 1964. My brother and I went exploring where we shouldn't have during the commision service after lunch in a ward room. Brown for Archie!
Uncle Tom. Firm yet fair. RIP Sir
13:30 my favourite part when he tells off that Lieutenant for being late. The lieutenant may outrank a warrant officer and he still calls him sir but everyone knows who has the real authority. You can see the PO grinning in the background gotta love it.
Uncle Tom's rank gave him absolute power
Tom cares about his men. Tough but fair. Acting in their interests every moment. Backbone of the Royal Navy.
He used to call me Michael, which was very nice. He could have called me all sorts of names....
A real sailor’s sailor, and always put the crew and ship before himself. He often had to administer discipline, but with an eye toward getting a man on the right track.
It was a sad day for me when after two commission's onboard the ark, the day I left to go on draft from her, went to Toms funeral and met his wife Sheila, a lovely lady she is . Only went to the Captains table once and that was to get promoted.
I was with 892 from 76 to the end. A sad day for all of us.
I am in touch with Sheila in FB which is nice.
I only saw the table up at RAF Leuchars while home with 892. 3 days adrift back off of leave...
Tom Wilkinson is legendary to those who knew him in both the Royal Navy and US Navy. The old Ark was always a welcome friend into Mayport and Norfolk back in the 70s.
I loved my time in Mayport, I almost got arrested in Norfolk!
Piece of Naval history thanks for sharing .Tom was a fair man indeed respect to him may he rest in peace
Guys like Tom were what made England great and the RN the best in the world, he shaped the lives of many young men, a true "Son of the Waves",
Men like this gentleman - and those that he mentored - are what made this island of ours the finest in the world! Look at your history you 3 ney-sayers and be humbled by what people such as these did in days gone by, so that you have the freedom to say what you say today!
I wonder what he would make of today's snowflakes.
This guy was a legend. You can't not respect him
Discipline and courtesy will bring you far in life.
That is what the boss was teaching. The men may not have realised it, but given an education when speaking to the man.
Song at the end is an Irish drinking song
had a few run-ins with Uncle Tom when he was MAA on HMS Eagle but he was always fair and did,nt hold a grudge,I can look back now and smile though I did,nt when I was awarded No 9 punishment
A real gentleman, survived by his wife Shiela who I often speak to online.
Respect to a firm but fair man. RIP.
Lock a copy of this documentary in the vaults for all time...a piece of tv platinum.
What a great watch. Been up Pen Y Fan today and chilling in my YHA bunk. My late brother served on HMS Andromeda in the 70’s. I still remember going to see him, think we did a tour of his ship. How the world has changed since and not all for the better. Simon.
Absolute quality 👍
Tom was Master at Arms at HMS Heron (Yeovilton) When I was there from 1969 until 1971. (No WO's or Fleet Chiefs then) I gained a big grin out of him one day! The Master being the only non comissioned officer on a ship or establishment to carry a sword! I enquired as to whether his was a "Wikinson Sword"! :-) He Had been posted (as FMAA) to Ark Royal when I joined it with 892Sqdn in 1973 :-)
I was ground radio 766 767 892 at Heron joined ark trafalger day 1972 and left a year later at Leuchars we might have met .... I can confirm Tom was a truly fair man and a gentleman..... he should have been knighted if he wasn’t..
I spent many happy hours at Leuchars in 76/7
@@Super8Rescue do you remember when the ground crew swapped the plaster/poly filler for white chalk powder when bricks and works department were painting aircrew kitchen.
I don't. I never was allowed the near aircrew galley. Main Galley for me.
Love this and also how he could smoke in front of a senior Officer. Nowadays, you'd be arrested. Looks like the 90's and previous decades were the best to be serving the RN.
the late 70's for me on Ark, so much fun.
I had several meetings with the commander at Portland. One of them was the MOD Police tried to charge me to speeding through the dockyard at 60 mph in a VW beetle and they collared me on the hill going up to the accommodation area. I was at the table and pleaded guilty to speeding but no way near 60 mph. I expressed to the commander that I would have been astonished if my car would have done that speed. The commander agreed and I was admonished. Happy dayz. 😁😁😁😁😁
And it was a steep old hill
I am ex army officer and I met senior ranks like Mr Wilkinson and they are the glue that holds the service together I still go to my reunions and still call them Mr Smith Mr Jones out of the respect i hold for them Long service Senior NCO or rating are in general gems that will always sparkle even after service I salute you Sir
cheers Sir.
I could imagine Tom saying to you " ....now now, you got the Commission from her gracious majesty, Sir. You can address by my rating or by my formal salutation "Mr Wilkinson", Sir".
I had so much respect with chaps like Mr Wilkinson they have dug me out of a few holes in my time @@walboyfredo6025
@@walboyfredo6025 Its an odd thing I still get to regimental reunions and i still call my old Sgt Majors Mr They call me now by my first name which is great I lost one of my old WO2 ,s a year ago and it took some getting over Senior NCOs make the services what they are god bless them
i left the Ark just after the last deployment in 78. I remember the Fleet MAA very well. Especially on pay day. But he did give me a kit muster once for wearing my red football socks at action stations. Lesson learned. This man had the utmust respect of all onboard. They broke the mould with Tom.
As a teenager I worked for Colin Renwick (RIP) at his Kite shop in Wandsworth, and after building kites in another of his ventures. Great bloke. Strict, but fair. I understand he was the jaunty on the final sailing. He must have learned a lot from this guy.
He actually gave me his peaked cap. I wore a similar one for school, and his was so much better than mine. Change of band/badge, and I was styling!
Pay Day was a mixture of fear and excitement
Red socks at action stations😅
I got a kit muster for have a cheese roll under my pillow for captains rounds😅.
I was on the Rusty 'b' at this time. (R08). This vid brought back memories. 64 now..........swing that bloody lantern.
Pass me another tinnie skin, I'm only a year behind you
@@Super8Rescue If I could throw snake eyes I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
Tom comes across as real father figure to the lads. Strict but his primary goal is their well-being and safety. The very epitome of a Senior NCO. RIP
It must be a comfort to his family that he is here in the prime of his career.
His wife Sheila often says hello to me in Facebook, which is a delight. She has these clips on her facebook.
@@Super8Rescue Are they both still alive? My Grandfather was a Fleet Chief on the same vessel and I'm trying to find people who would have known him.
@@Super8Rescue Please - if you feel it is right and proper - convey my condolences to this man's widow. As I stated above, I never served - (something I truly regret!) - but my late father did and; like this gentleman, his heart truly was of BRITISH Oak!
@@georgebuller1914 hi George if you are in touch with sheila could you please pass on my regards and condolences to her i knew them in Singapore when tom was on hms forth regards mike locking
Father to us all,kind,compassionate,,everything a parent would be
In memory of Alan (Sam ) Barnett who served in Ark Royal during the making of "Sailor" in 1976. He was my best man's Dad, and a lovely bloke. I remember seeing Tom Wilkinson on the programme at the time and he was a decent, decent man. A quick look around the internet seems to show that Tom passed away in April 2015 with his funeral having been on the 21st of that month. Fair winds good sir !
Respect
Utter legend...
I say that to my own boy now .. self pride my son self pride .. what i seen in the series Sailor.. fmaa Tom Wilkinson was a great man
A great man, I am still in regular touch with his wife Sheila
Good memories of a great man, once seen never forgotten.
I was on Ark V R07 for just under 2years, The joss was WOMAA Legs Diamond, he was firm but fair. The reggies were mostly ok and they got me out of the rattle a couple of times with a warning. Much appreciated.
The last scenes with the remains of ARK are so poignant. Unless youve served youll never understand how much the men and women of the armed forces give to the nation. Its not just a job. It's literally blood, tears, sweat. It's anger, frustration, love and joy. It is a wholly unique feeling to be part of it and to feel at one with your Ship, aircraft or team.
There is no feeling like it in the world.
I clearly remember Sailor when it was first broadcast in 1976, and what seems a lifetime ago. The FMAA, Tom Wilkinson, was the stand-out character from the series, old school firm but fair, forming the backbone of the Royal Navy. I would love to have met him during his lifetime and bought him a pint. I am though aware that he died back in 2015 but he, and all the very best traditions that he represented, will live on with this compilation from the series.
cheers Mark. I have his wife Sheila, on my FB. She loves my cat videos and says hello often.
A very dear friend indeed.
Tom is a legend without doubt.
He was the only chap to ever address me by my first name.
I knew him 1976/8
@@Super8Rescue Thank you for your reply to my post. My late father served in the Fleet Air Arm between 1950 and 1963, so it is possible that he and Tom Wilkinson crossed paths at some point; one never knows! Obviously I have never met Sheila and know of her only through the television series where Tom played a starring role. I am though pleased to learn that she is still with us and I would be happy for you to pass on the best wishes of a complete stranger like me, and to say that even after 45 years her late husband's decentness still shines through in spades. Best wishes to you and yours.
Kind regards
Mark Rowley
I will certainly send your kind regards to Sheila
A true Naval man of Honour.
14:54 Gave good advice to a man who later became a Vice Admiral. Every leader needs to be mentored like what Tom has done.
The best YO, no matter the service were the ones who listened to the senior non-comms. He seemed a decent YO as well.
So who is the officer?
@@catcherintheair It might be Chris Parry, mentioned in despatches for his actions in the Falklands conflict and subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral.
15:30 ghe ghe ghe.
@@docdr7199 It is indeed Chris Parry. He mentions the experience on Ark Royal and the associated documentary filming in his book "Down South" (which is well worth a read).
I joined the ANDREW !! ROYAL NAVY !! because of an old WW2 Fleet Chief !! I served 15 years good and bad at the end of the 70s to 93 !!
I joined the Royal Navy because my Mum said it would be a good idea, I was good at baking cakes, "why don't you join the Navy"
I am pleased she did push me, it was a good thing. it certainly made me the man I am today.
legend
Very much the same in 1982 when I joined at 17, hard men but watched your back.
of course they watch your back, happy days, wouldn't trust anyone else with my life.
A rare man of quality
Very moving at 23:08 just that glance back from the previously jovial ship breaker. The sudden realisation that his day job of scrap metal can bring a hard-as-nails fighting man to tears.
If you go to Fleet Air Arm Museum they have a mock-up of this ship. I was 12 or 13 and lucky enough to go to sea on her for a family day. Still feel this was one of the best days i ever had.
She was moored off Torpoint/Millbrook for a while before being towed away for scrap. I watched her go. So sad.
found the DVDs on eBay definitely going to buy it thanks for uploading these clips
you're welcome
At least my three war canoes are at the bottom of the sea, where they should be. A true man of the Royal Navy, Remember my Fleet Chief (Tas) gave me a bollocking once, he never got another chance, to much respect for him.
Sad to see a beautiful ship who served her country for so long and who looked after her crew and always brought them back home being cut up for scrap.
My father worked on her when she was being built and we were always so proud of her. 🥺
Very sad .
They could have done as the Americans do .
Turn her into a museum.
Great memories of the Ark. 1971-1975.
shiver me timbers skin
I am well aware of the feeling made by this gentleman whom i served with on the ship.
Like him i think that despite her size, this ship should have been kept as a bit of history, having served the U.K. for many many years..
I was still on this ship when shen ended her service, and had the job of dismantling the wardroom and captains quaters, it should at least be remebered for being the ship of which the documentry was made that captivated for many peoples hearts with the song "We are Sailing"
Sadly my job was as a member of the S.M.A. and as such helped to create the fate of this vessel, and many others, usually conducted by these ships last trip, such as the Diamond class destroyers plus many others which really ment that i did a lot of sea time, plus a lot of special visits to some unusual ports, there are many things i remember of these trips.
cheers!
The final scenes were filmed at Cairnryan breakers yard at Loch Ryan. In all four carriers were dismantled there, the first was HMS Centaur in 1972. I grew up in Stranraer (opposite side of the loch) and remember HMS Eagle being broken up, then came Ark Royal, she was gone by the end of '83 (as seen here) eventually to make way for HMS Bulwark. Cruiser HMS Blake can be seen at 26:20 top left which arrived in-between the two carriers. The breakers yard lasted into the 1990s, contracted to dispose of old Soviet diesel-electric submarines.
I served on the Bulwark (R08) Rusty 'B' from 74 -76, 5C mess. Great memories and mates on her.
As someone else commented, when the tide came in Ark floated higher in the water and cut off the tv signal for the locals...
@@Super8Rescue true as the TV transmitter was on a hill above Stranraer at the opposite side of the loch at the time.
Respect. Sadly a different navy now.
Aaahhh what a blast from the past......I knew the young steward in trouble,he was a lot tougher than he looks.He got the chance of the job of his dreams but couldn't get out of the navy to take it.His only option was to apply for the royal marines and had to pass the training course ( the hardest in the world) so that he could resign in time to get the job..........
One of my personal experiences with the JOS master at arms was coming down a ladder from the heads and bathroom, just as I got to the bottom he was there and didn't move an inch.....I backed up to the top and he followed me step by step...
At the top he looked directly in my face and said " am I hurting you son"?
" No sir" I said
" I should be I'm stood on your bloody hair.....GET IT CUT"...... he was as tough as they come and would make sure you get a fair punishment for any offence you had committed.
I'm proud to have been part of the same navy he was a principal player in....... the days before the love boats we have today,..... like the old saying " when ships were made of wood and the men made of iron" hahaha 🤣
The best years of my life,
Trooped me when on the eagle good old Tom
BZ
The days of the Big Grey War Canoe - long gone : (
If only we had that in 82.
Nine pints of Scrumpy....... "Good Lad"!!!
Drunk and refusing to fight?
just a quick DTS then
How sad to see your ship being dismantled. 😞 At least you can keep your memories.
and we have lots of film to look back on
Got trooped by him in 1971 on HMS Eagle for retaining a can of beer in my locker overnight. Punishment 14 days 9’s.
Just having a wet before dinner, having afternoon watch.
BZ
What does 9’s mean?
Punishments. They came in different shapes and sizes
9's 10's 14's
From the jackspeak site:
No 9 punishment was basically stoppage of leave and 2 hours extra work. Normally awarded as either 7 or 14 days. If ashore to prove you were on board you had to muster at the various times of the day. Normally first muster would be 0600. Last muster 2200 plus lots in between. The two hours extra work was normally carried out in the dogs.
Worse bit was you were also banned from using the NAAFI so couldn't get a beer.
If you missed a muster more days 9s could be added.
@@Super8Rescue nice one. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Cheers.
my late dad David Edmund george LAMO, served on the Albion, Eagle, Victorious,Ark Royal,between 1957until 1974 when he took voluntary redudanicy as the fixed wigs were phased out, thank you so much for this video, he would have definately have encountered this legend Master at Arms
You're very welcome. Tom was very well known and loved by just about everyone. His wife is still with us and often makes comments in a facebook group where he is remembered with great affection.
14-54: I've never served myself (my late father was 21 years Royal Navy - including 6 years during WWII!) but in my lifetime, I have known managers like this gentleman. Hard but fair! By the book - but able to flex! Man management is a skill! Some can learn it; some are born with it - ALL the best are blessed with it!
Thanks for watching george, Uncle Tom is a legend
He died 2015 aged 86 MBE BEM
I am in touch with Sheila his widow, she is fine and well but getting on a bit these days. She posts on facebook often.
@@Super8Rescue I was only in fleet air arm from 68 to 76 Tom was an inspiration too us all .... I was a REM(A) but for getting married I would still be in the Andrew
I was a wafu cook with 892 Squadron 76-78 on R09 and Tom was an inspiration to me. He was the only man in the Royal Navy to call me by my first name
@super 8 hi, I used to know Tom and Sheila when I was the Prudential rep for their area near Evesham.... please say hello to Sheila for me, I hope she remembers me from the mid 90s. I Used to pop in and see them any chance I could, love listening to Tom and all the stories.... I was in my 20s then , my name is Neal
The good old served 76 to 90 on subs awesome time
Dear god...I know this was many years before my time in the Andrew, but the Defaulters scenes put the chills of the damned into me.
Only had defaulters in HMS Ark Royal once myself, for absence from place of duty (due to assisting the flight deck crew to offboard the equipment of an RAF squadron beyond the end of my watch, which was recognised as a 'fine example of teamwork' by the Captain) so I missed morning muster, with charges dismissed with 'admonishment only'...
...and as for not deserving the scrapman's axe. Agreed. TOTALLY agreed. If the crabs can keep their old stuff flying, we should have kept one or two of our old carriers around as museums.
From memory I got trooped twice in 12 years. Not too shabby.
I know I can't be the only one who got choked up when he saw what remained when she was at the breaker's.
Marvelous 🇬🇧🇬🇧✨✨🤲🙏🙌🙌👌👌 Much Greatful
Ah, Uncle Tom and his war canoe
13:30 Even the junior officer receives the rath Fleet Chief Master at Arms.
No one is above the law.
Im ex raf but its the same . The level headed caring snco.s keep everything working . And all the youngsters need to know theyve been there and done it . Much respect to a very decent man . Id salute you sir but that would be wrong and id get shouted at .
I spent some time at RAF Leuchars while I was with 892 Squadron. 76/8
War Canoe!!! 😂 Classic
Great days and great people.
where can I get the full series ? this is amazing
My stepfather was chief petty officer onboard this beuty.This man was loved by his crew .
He certainly was loved, and always will be.
Imagine if they kept her a couple more years. Falklands would of been a walk in the park
Given the state of her hull I doubt she would have made it there and back
@@Super8Rescue was it really that bad. Surely they could of gotten another 10 years out of it with refitting her.
10 years? impossible. She was on her knees so to speak.
"returning onboard drunk" 🤣 most of us entire 925 ratings of HMS Tiger C20 1972 to 1975 we're highly skilled in the arts of coming back drunk !! In fact father rutter came back one night in Pompeii walked up the gangway collected his station card went across the deck and straight into the oggin on the other side and the lifeboat crews were actually scrambled to save him tied up alongside and that is a fact. Father Rutter was a Stoker who had been in the mob forever in the 70s and was part of the ship itself. There's a racy 9-minute tribute on my channel but hey regardless of anything else I wouldn't change those years for all the money in the world !
BZ skin
As a cadet in the MN I was paid £5 per month including danger money for serving in tankers.
This is priceless
priceless moment in my life for sure
he was my Joss 75-78 legend rip
Proper gentleman
It makes you realize what went on behind the scene and that generally they did look after you. I got away with a lot more than some of these guys did because I had personal problems for a while and after a gigantic bollocking from the joss that I was in deep shit...nothing more was said.
It's a totally unique job where everyone above and below you has to call you _'Master,'_ and one or two did indeed let it go their heads. That said, you were more likely to come across an a-hole Regulator.
If you were in the yard at Devonport and a flag officer was visiting, they'd provide an escort for him in one of their RN LR Defenders and look for sailors who didn't stop, come to attention and salute the flag on the car. Me and my mate were nabbed coming back from the CISCO one day, but to be fair we walked out from between two containers as the entourage passed, and we both had multiple coffees and bags of stickies in each hand.
Back came the Defender, and out popped one of the Regulators.
Then he flipped open his little notebook - *_"Neither one of you saluted. I want your names and your ship."_* Frowning deeply, we tentatively raised our filled hands in protest, but he repeated his demand. *_"Name and ship...?"_* So, I quickly took the initiative and gave him a false name and the name of the ship in the next dock to ours, and my mate followed suit.
Ship-borne Regulators tended to be a bit more genial, but they knew it wasn't best practice to get too chummy with anyone,. It was rare to have one refuse you an extra crate of beer if you asked for one because there was a birthday in the mess.
Not an easy job aboard ship, the naval Regulator, but they're not there to turn a blind eye and make friends.
A bloody good and fair Master at Arms, Mind I never got on his bad side. Hahahahaha.
Basically he's what the USN would call the Command Master Chief or Chief of the Boat in the case of a Submarine. Liason between the enlisted sailors and officers, guides junior officers and answers only to the Captain and/or 2IC, first officer, first mate, first lieutenant, XO, which title applies for the appropriate navy for the appropriate nation.
My dad David George was on the Ark Royal in the 1960s as a Killick armoumer before going onto aircrew duties
BZ I was there for her last two years as a 17yo cook
Yeah ah good Skipper and Boat.
I watched this on yv as a small boy
excellent. I knew him when I was 17yo
The RN knew how to pick them.
They picked me too.
4.30 Trying to keep a straight face.
This is probably the same situation for every navy in every country?
@26:40 just looking at the officers cap peak... the oak leaves don't meet in the middle....well I SAY they don't... that's assuming that his cap badge Is in the middle. Actually...thinking about it... the cap badge is on an elasticated black band...so I think it's more probable that the cap badge itself is a little skew whiff.
Wow, smoking onboard in the flats when the captains about!!
No doubt rank - and experience - had its privileges!... ;-)
Was Mr Wilkinson an Naval Officer from the beginning or did he climb rangs from seaman?
Old school. Give me a day or two and I will try to find out.
@@Super8Rescue He really sounds like old school, but he speaks the language of the sailor.
He would have joined as a junior rate, then joined regulating branch,and become a Leading Reg, RPO, MAA, Then Fleet Master at Arms. He was a senior rating, but Fleet Chiefs / Warrant Officers were called sir, and the Master at Arms carried a sword like officers. They also wore white overalls like officers. I was in ME branch 77 to 88, and knew both good and bad Regulators.
Short sighted, with hinesight . The next conflict in 1982. Would of been handy to have a fixed wing carrier then.
Also Baron HMS Bulwark was decommissioned in 1981, she was an ASW helicopter carrier. She would have been fitted with a "ski Jump" for the 82 conflict. Would have had 15-20 more harries, that would have provided more air cover. Who know the Welsh Guard would never been exposed.
@@walboyfredo6025 Problem was she put in 'unmaintained reserve' and when the conflict arose it would have taken six months to make Bulwark seaworthy again, meaning she would have sailed to the Falkland in October '82 at the earliest. Same timespan was given to helicopter cruisers HMS Blake and Tiger for reactivation.
What she did for the UK Tom not just for England!
Walboy Fredo
+ Grow up, figure of speech, in your bloody politically correct world you have made, christ.
I’m from England i class myself as British
@@henryvagincourt not politically correct at all ITS BEING CORRECT.I am highlighting the contribution the ALL members of the UK - and those who served from ALL areas of the UK.
@Shaun Mclaren there's recruiting offices all over the UK, there military bases/camps/establishment all over the UK and there's military memorials all over the UK. It'things like that should be kept in mind.
PS There are number of Fijian, Tongan and Gurka personal who died in the middle east under our flag as well.
And l am being factual not a blimp ok!
I don't believe he meant any offence by saying England, figure of speech. (I'm Scottish btw)
When men, were men and not p.c fairies. Lot of young lads got the discipline they needed off the old swets in the navy.
Pretty Officer, pulling you up and telling it , how it is for once.
never did us any harm, these days you can't say how it is incase they burst in to tears and put it on twitter
Would tom b equivalent to a sgt major in army terms?
He was a Fleet Chief, which is an NCO but I don't know the Army rank equivalent, someone else may know
@@Super8Rescue WO1 - so in army terms he would be an RSM.