 I served aboard HMS/M Resolution 71-73 and lived in Faslane during " off crew" periods. I have memories of trundling off to work in the NTD area every morning during the working week,and trundling back again in the evening . It was like being a civvy, I was almost traumatised! The high spot came at night down either the disco or in the Neptune bar where only submariners were allowed , skimmers (surface ship wallahs) were not welcome, except by invitation ! Wrens were also excluded although one or two did get in from time to time.The disco was frequented by local girls from Helensburgh, wives of submariners, away at sea, and of course Wrens, based at Faslane.My own preference was to get off base as often as possible so my oppo and I travelled all over the area into Helensburgh or more usually up to garelochead to one of the pubs up in that region or to one of the hotels .If we were "on crew" our movements were,by necessity, restricted and sometimes Cinderella leave, (back on board by midnight), was the order of the day, particularly just prior to our departure on patrol. Returning from patrol, usually 8 weeks,(or more!), we would rush up to the mess block, avoiding the feral cats that populated the base,and try to get showered, changed, and down to the main gate to grab a fast black (taxi) to the station in Helensburgh, (how come the taxi drivers knew more about our movements than we did, there were always droves of them when a boat came home and never any at night when they were needed !) I have many happy memories of Faslane although I admit it wasn't everybodies idea of a fun place !!! |
