Orkney Image Library

Me dad was on the old Iron Duke when it was at the Flow in WW2 and that where he met me mum and married in 1940. They ended up in Longhope where we lived until 56 then moved down south.

My father watched the old Iron Duke being bombed.

I remember your dad well, both whilst he lived in Longhope next to the YM and later, when he rejoined the navy

I was lucky to visit HMS Iron Duke whilst it was a guard ship for the Falkland Islands in Xmas 1994. At the time it was one of the only places that had draught beer. Luxury!

As I said, I remember Dan McKenzie well, both in Longhope and I also met him a couple of times whilst we were both in the Navy. Am I correct in saying that Dan and family settled in Southsea and after leaving the RN, he served on the Isle of Wight ferries?.

When I was a small boy on holiday at the 'Wells' in Longhope, I remember seeing this enormous ship that my grandmother told me was the'Iron Duke'. I've never forgotten that sight to this day.

Yes Fred we lived in Pompey and then moved to Gosport and settled there. Dad passed away in 84 and mum in 91 both were still in there 60s. I have made the trip back home 3 times in the last 5years and hope to make back again next year. I love going back its still home to me.

Was it the "Iron Duke" that lay on the bottom inside Crockness? I can mind folk saying aboot a old battle ship used as a depot Ship there.

It was said so many empty bully beef tins were haaved ower the side o her she wid never float oot o there again!, dae I hiv the right name or wiz hid anither ane that wiz there?.

That's the one John. After she was bombed she rested on the bottom and I believe Metals filled the damage with concrete and she was moved to Crockness. Admiral Jellico's dress uniform was still in a glass case on board. She was his flagship in WW1.

I feel the same Gladys. Brims will always be the No1 place to me.

As the saying goes Fred "You can take the boy oot o Brims but you will never take Brims oot o the Man"
I mind Ericie McFadyen saying "I hive been all ower the world bit the finest place ever is Brims"

Thats how I feel John its 55 years since I left Longhope and its still home to me.

My grandfather was a Sgt with 119 Road Construction Company Royal Engineers Who after surviving the retreat from Dunkirk were stationed at Longhope ..10th Aug 1940 15:40 Arrive Longhope company under canvas.
12 Aug 1940 6 tents returned as unserviceable to 131 AMP.
13 Aug 1940 ..Commenced building of Nissan huts......the company was at Longhope till 15 Sept 1941 ...My grandfather was admitted to the sick quarter on HMS IRON DUKE Jan Feb Mar 1941 .
I have the war diary of this unit and it gives some of the work that they did when in Longhope. any detail or photo of Longhope at this time ?