My word, I was surprised to come across this video of my daughter Nicola Howard who became the Royal Navy's first and only 'Female Button Boy'. I uploaded a video of her climb at the Royal Tournament the following year. As her parents it was a far more terrifying climb because the mast, being portable and suspended from the roof during the tournament wobbled quite badly at the top, plus we knew she had sustained an arm injury and missed all of her planned climbs apart from this one for her majesty the Queen. She was in fact still signed off sick when she made the climb. ua-cam.com/video/1Mw5LPBfAa4/v-deo.html
I'm very happy for you - more people should have surprises like that, especially just now. Respect to your daughter. I remember watching a film on Blue Peter (I think) of the Cadets of HMS Ganges manning their mast - I was petrified!
She was brilliant, as a Former Royal Marine I admire her courage and fortitude. This type of person is what made and still makes our Royal Navy the best in the World. I climbed the mast at Ganges in the sixties and it really was frightening . God bless her and I hope she had and still has a good life. I
I was trained by Harry Hubbold, the Royal Marines Instructor of Instructors in the eaely 1960s. His display team did that descent in the Death Glide, lying on the rope - but he refused to let us try it, for obvious reasons. Technically, one ankle's hooked over the rope, the other foot keeps your balance, much like a funambulist uses a balance pole, and arms outstretched. When I came back to the basic arms-on haul a good decade later, my body remembered, but getting on the rope complete with rifle and full pack, rocket launchers and lord only knows what all doing their own thing, was a very different matter! Still, I managed it. Nothing on your lass, though, full kudos to her, as her instructor said, slow and steady, one thing at a time. Gutsy indeed. And here's to Pussers, whose recreation of RN Rum is nigh on perfect. I was only given dippers, as a nipper, but memories of CPO Grandpa's Mocha linger on. That's a coffee mocha with rum to taste!
I was the last button boy at HMS St Vincent. 7pm November 5th 1965. For this I received a Churchill 5 shilling piece from admiral Sir Varyle Begg. A taller mast at 130ft. And to dismount the mast it was a 130ft trip down the forestay in just over 10 seconds.
That tot must have been the most deserved ever issued. I can't tell you how impressed I am. I have been aloft in a small square rigger at sea a number of times and it never felt as exposed or insecure as that mast looked. I called in to the old HMS Ganges site at Shotley a few years ago having last been there as a Sheffield Sea Cadet in 1963 and the sight of the mast there still gave me the willies . Quite a girl, your daughter.
Omg I didn't know this was on here! My dad was at daedolus and we went to field gun every year and loved the climb. I saw this team, and this girl there, was awesome!
The mast at HMS GANGES in Shotley was taller and as a young new entrant trainee we were forced to climb it to test courage. Even forcing us to go over Devils Elbow. Once completed for the first time it became easy
OMG the health and safety mob would have had a heart attack watching this, not a safety rope or airbag in sight. I remember watching this and thinking then you couldn't pay me enough to stand on top of that mast. excellent display of trust and team work..
She done really well with the Button Boy mast . Proud of her so so much. I do hope she done well in the forces. Most of all , thanks for sharing this lady's proud moment , she done good
I was in the 1990 team. Was so funny when they took the mast down, but removed the ropes in the wrong order! All around us were expensive car displays (roll royce, jag, ferrari etc). Thankfully it fall harmlessly into the field. So funny watching the lads run in the same direction it was falling like a cartoon! MANY stories during my time doing this!
So very proud of a member of our family ...he did this and the Field Gun Competion then went on to be part of the Falklands war ...going through hell. Does he speak of this after all these years...no... I doubt he ever will !
They have just dismantled the flag mast at the former HMS Ganges due to it rotting condition. The housing developers of the former training centre have promised to renovate the mast and put it back in it's rightful place.
I used to live right by the naval base hms daedalus in gosport used to watch navy days and the planes taking off from daedalus oh yeah my dad was stationed there he was a w.a.f.u or electrical artificer and a chief petty officer. Good memories of that base.
It will never return. It's just too dangerous without safety nets, harnesses etc, and if they were to inroduce them in the name of \heath & safety kit just wouldn't be the same spectacle, it would be more like a circus act.
The team was imeadiately disbanded in about 1995 after the button boy whilst decending from the button at the Royal Suffolk Show froze before falling to the ground suffereing life-changing injuries.
How can it be "HMS" anything??? It isn't a ship, as in Her (or His) Majesty's SHIP, it's a pole with ropes that's been left on the ground. I always thought HMS had to be a commissioned ship. And before you make any nasty comments, I did 22 years in Army which involved Iraq twice (each tour was 1 year)
Many 'stone frigates' were originally ships and the names kept once the actual ship no longer existed. Landbases are still HMS, eg HMS Sultan, HMS Collingwood, HMS Dryad.
Can anybody make out what the instructor is saying to the button girl before she starts to climb? She looks nervous, understandably, I wonder if this was her first time.
Nicola was in the team for the whole season. That was her first 'Female Button Boy' occasion. She joined the 1993 team the following year for the Royal Tournament only (see the UA-cam video of that). However she injured her arm during training and only did one climb (against the Medical Officers orders) which was for Her Majesty the Queen.
@@cchplays8182 - I'm more of a "Yomp Marines" guy myself but it's all the same now that I'm a much calmer old veteran than when I was a feisty little gobshite Sprog!
My word, I was surprised to come across this video of my daughter Nicola Howard who became the Royal Navy's first and only 'Female Button Boy'. I uploaded a video of her climb at the Royal Tournament the following year. As her parents it was a far more terrifying climb because the mast, being portable and suspended from the roof during the tournament wobbled quite badly at the top, plus we knew she had sustained an arm injury and missed all of her planned climbs apart from this one for her majesty the Queen. She was in fact still signed off sick when she made the climb.
ua-cam.com/video/1Mw5LPBfAa4/v-deo.html
I'm very happy for you - more people should have surprises like that, especially just now. Respect to your daughter. I remember watching a film on Blue Peter (I think) of the Cadets of HMS Ganges manning their mast - I was petrified!
She was brilliant, as a Former Royal Marine I admire her courage and fortitude. This type of person is what made and still makes our Royal Navy the best in the World. I climbed the mast at Ganges in the sixties and it really was frightening . God bless her and I hope she had and still has a good life.
I
She was very brave! Salute to you Nicola Howard
I was trained by Harry Hubbold, the Royal Marines Instructor of Instructors in the eaely 1960s. His display team did that descent in the Death Glide, lying on the rope - but he refused to let us try it, for obvious reasons.
Technically, one ankle's hooked over the rope, the other foot keeps your balance, much like a funambulist uses a balance pole, and arms outstretched. When I came back to the basic arms-on haul a good decade later, my body remembered, but getting on the rope complete with rifle and full pack, rocket launchers and lord only knows what all doing their own thing, was a very different matter! Still, I managed it. Nothing on your lass, though, full kudos to her, as her instructor said, slow and steady, one thing at a time. Gutsy indeed.
And here's to Pussers, whose recreation of RN Rum is nigh on perfect. I was only given dippers, as a nipper, but memories of CPO Grandpa's Mocha linger on. That's a coffee mocha with rum to taste!
Your daughter is an amazing young lady ! I served in HMS Daedalus , i saw how high that mast was !!
That is one unbelievably courageous young lady.
The Button-boy was a brave Button-girl !
Yet another thing that makes you proud to be a Brit. Awesome
My God after watching this I feel so useless, A demonstration of ultimate discipline, from the best in the world. I thank god we have got such people.
And that is the training that makes your Royal Navy the envy of the world.
Regards from Ireland.
Well done to that young woman, I hope she’s still talking about her that day today she deserves all the respect in the world.
Health and safety must have had a field day,, respect to all involved from an ex Royal Marine
I was the last button boy at HMS St Vincent. 7pm November 5th 1965. For this I received a Churchill 5 shilling piece from admiral Sir Varyle Begg. A taller mast at 130ft. And to dismount the mast it was a 130ft trip down the forestay in just over 10 seconds.
That tot must have been the most deserved ever issued. I can't tell you how impressed I am. I have been aloft in a small square rigger at sea a number of times and it never felt as exposed or insecure as that mast looked. I called in to the old HMS Ganges site at Shotley a few years ago having last been there as a Sheffield Sea Cadet in 1963 and the sight of the mast there still gave me the willies . Quite a girl, your daughter.
i have worked at Daedalus in late sixty's into early 70's it was a great place shame it's not still not a naval base any more.
I was on that team.
Nothing but admiration for this courageous young woman
Never get tired of watching this. Bravo Zulu.
Great to see this. I saw this regularly at HMS Vernon in Portsmouth - Up spirits !
Omg I didn't know this was on here! My dad was at daedolus and we went to field gun every year and loved the climb. I saw this team, and this girl there, was awesome!
Wonderful ceremony and tradition.
And WELL DONE "little" LADY. !!!
One hand for the Ship, one hand for yourself !!
God bless them all !
The mast at HMS GANGES in Shotley was taller and as a young new entrant trainee we were forced to climb it to test courage. Even forcing us to go over Devils Elbow. Once completed for the first time it became easy
From an ex squaddie, that last few yards of the button boys descent when the arms start to ache was some stuff, well done that woman!
I got vertigo just watching it. Great confidence and skill.
Absolutely wonderful
Wow! What a brave girl!!!
Proud to be British ...why isn't things like this on our TV on a channel of its own??
OMG the health and safety mob would have had a heart attack watching this, not a safety rope or airbag in sight. I remember watching this and thinking then you couldn't pay me enough to stand on top of that mast.
excellent display of trust and team work..
She done really well with the Button Boy mast . Proud of her so so much. I do hope she done well in the forces. Most of all , thanks for sharing this lady's proud moment , she done good
Heart of Oak ..
Womens exality whats that. This young Lady is second to none in this world.
Oh what a very brave young lady.
Bravo, Nicola Howard, a true stalwart.
I was often been at this height on a mast, even twice as high.... but very much better secured!
Hats off!
We may be a small county our Navy have guts with that we carry a big punch
I was in the 1990 team. Was so funny when they took the mast down, but removed the ropes in the wrong order! All around us were expensive car displays (roll royce, jag, ferrari etc). Thankfully it fall harmlessly into the field. So funny watching the lads run in the same direction it was falling like a cartoon! MANY stories during my time doing this!
That young lady has more balls than I have .my hat goes off to her . Yr family shud be so proud
Just WOW!! Unbelievable!!😮
HMS Ganges ! That was the proper mast climbing
This was impressive by any standards…. But Ganges was terrifying
Wish they still do this stuff and the gun carrage
Amazing, compare these boys and girls to today’s youth! - there is no comparison!
Blimey, what a special lady 👍👍
Balls of steel to be a Button Boy - be that male or female!
God bless our military ♥️
So very proud of a member of our family ...he did this and the Field Gun Competion then went on to be part of the Falklands war ...going through hell. Does he speak of this after all these years...no... I doubt he ever will !
They have just dismantled the flag mast at the former HMS Ganges due to it rotting condition. The housing developers of the former training centre have promised to renovate the mast and put it back in it's rightful place.
I'm happy to say that the Ganges mast is back up and resplendent once more. Hope it gets looked after!
Thanks for info, looks like a ride out sometime
I too was a button boy in the early 60"s at 15 and half and yes it's scary stuff
Very, very impressive!!!
Okay, I get it; Britannia no longer rules the waves - but she could if she wanted to.
Excellent work
Incredible women !
That girl has balls. I couldn't climb up there.
When John Nokes attempted to get to the button. The button boy had to climb up the last ten feet of the mast without a ladder.
That was the mast at ganges if i remember, this is a portable mast used for displays not anywhere near as big as the ganges mast.
Also this portable mast doesn't have safety nets as Ganges had
@@gordonchapman222 Ganges never had safety nets and it didn’t have a back pole to hold on to either.
That was incredibly brave, we’ll done young lady
I used to live right by the naval base hms daedalus in gosport used to watch navy days and the planes taking off from daedalus oh yeah my dad was stationed there he was a w.a.f.u or electrical artificer and a chief petty officer. Good memories of that base.
Well done that woman! 💯
I'd need a very different colour of trousering to attempt that.
How splendid. Wouldn't be allowed these days..
Bring back BRITISH.
Well done, young lady...
A well deserved 'tot' hats off to her!. Nuff said.
A really brave girl.
What a brave girl !
That would certainly shiver me Timbers …
Wow
No half moon or devils elbow. These kids don't know they're born!
one of my uncles was in the Royal Navy during World War two. On board H.M.S. Isis a destroyer
Respect to your uncle
No no thrice no. Brave people but no. 😂 she is my hero. Can you imagine what this was like on the open seas. Oh my word.
The young lady a the top looks scared and I'm not surprised!
Impressive but was a different level at HMS Ganges when they had to shin up to the button
1 is not harder then other sorry
You can be proud of her.
wow, talk about no room for error that is IT.
I swear that " Button Boy " was going to throw up.. But crack on BZ ..
Your reward A TOT OF RUM, Excellent
More stones than any of the blokes below.
I'd buy her a pint anytime.
My part of the world, should have joined the Royal Navy !!
Respect.
think the bravest aspect of this is the wearing of white trousers... bloody terrifying !!
OK but wonder how they would have done on the HMS Ganges mast? 2-3 times the height even John Noakes didn't quite make that one!! Good try though
OMG
I'd like to know how the Button Boy/Girl is now. I wonder if she knows that this video exists ..? 🤔
She's my daughter. She's a mum and a detective constable on the south coast.
@@wissey62 What a woman, you must be very proud!
Top Lass
Where is this lady now what happened to her, I would love to know
Do they still do this?
Search HMS GANGES and watch it done properly, much higher and more lads.
AND A SAFETY NET!! Nicola did it without one.
wissey62 did she stay in the navy and if so where is she now
She left the navy and joined the police service on the south coast.
Down in One Kiddo!
Does anyone know the piece of music that starts to play as they ascend the mast?
Western home with a song in the air
@@maureengillies9495 Thanks
This took some bottle I could not done that
There are plans t bring it back.
It will never return. It's just too dangerous without safety nets, harnesses etc, and if they were to inroduce them in the name of \heath & safety kit just wouldn't be the same spectacle, it would be more like a circus act.
Do they still do this? I’d love to think so but i doubt it.
The team was imeadiately disbanded in about 1995 after the button boy whilst decending from the button at the Royal Suffolk Show froze before falling to the ground suffereing life-changing injuries.
I think she needed that tot of rum.
Is she wearing any type of fall-arrestor device?
No. She knew falling off would hurt.
Sea Cadets?
Airey fairies
shame it was handed back to the raf in 2018 . rnas lee on solent .
How can it be "HMS" anything??? It isn't a ship, as in Her (or His) Majesty's SHIP, it's a pole with ropes that's been left on the ground.
I always thought HMS had to be a commissioned ship.
And before you make any nasty comments, I did 22 years in Army which involved Iraq twice (each tour was 1 year)
Any shore base is also called HMS
Many 'stone frigates' were originally ships and the names kept once the actual ship no longer existed. Landbases are still HMS, eg HMS Sultan, HMS Collingwood, HMS Dryad.
Who was the young lady on the button?
Nicola Howard
What the hell is that. That's not a mast. This is Airy Fairy land.
Can anybody make out what the instructor is saying to the button girl before she starts to climb? She looks nervous, understandably, I wonder if this was her first time.
A combination confidence/pep talk/ be calm/ you-know-you-can -do-it/if you fall and embarass me, I'm gonna kill you speech
Nicola was in the team for the whole season. That was her first 'Female Button Boy' occasion. She joined the 1993 team the following year for the Royal Tournament only (see the UA-cam video of that). However she injured her arm during training and only did one climb (against the Medical Officers orders) which was for Her Majesty the Queen.
@@wissey62 Be careful, take it slowly.
I wonder how many fish they killed with those balloons.
That is not fun! Done rigging on a sloop and that was enough! Christ
It's not even a real ship :/
its a stone frigate
This waste of time justifies 1990s defence cuts.
Yeah because teamwork, courage, commitment, fitness and service pride have no place in the military do they?
🤡
@@JammyDodger45 BZ⚓
@@cchplays8182 cheers Shippers. We can't let these 🤡 get away with it 😁
@@JammyDodger45 Fly Navy👍
@@cchplays8182 - I'm more of a "Yomp Marines" guy myself but it's all the same now that I'm a much calmer old veteran than when I was a feisty little gobshite Sprog!
Ganges was the best manning the mast ceremony, full mast not the piddly one st Daedalus
Do they still do this?