A " Watson" & a " Brierly"

This is very much trivia of the fifties. But does anyone remember the lemonade or fruit drinks called " Brierly" or "Watson". As still yet a schoolboy in many ways, I was conscripted in 1955 into the Senior Service, the Royal Navy, and sent to Hong Kong.

Joined Navy June 1955, reached HK via SS Empire Clyde by December 1955, to be a rating in HMS Tamar.Srving aboard Her Majesty;s Motor Lauch 3510. Our Commanding Officer (Captain) was aged 23 and a mere Lieutenant. Lt Peter Henry Fulford Hudson, still sprightly (2015)  and not changed a bit. The crew were mostly youths aged 18 to 21. Thus keeping cool, swimming, going ashore, drinkingand eating was our main occupation. We were afloat and on patrol for three days, and then spent two days ashore, so "our" Hong Kong was Chueng Chau, Ping Chau, Aberdeen, Tai'O and all the waters around Hong Kong.

We were in a way, the British "kin" to the enormous Cantonese Fishing folk that sailed those waters too. Together we shared the early dawns and the black and moonlight nights. The lights of the Junks and fishing boats of the night-time fishermen will always be in my memory. The noise, the sights and sounds, of them playing mahjong until the early hours, as we were moored nearby, and as we maintained our watches, are indelible in my memory. We shared the sea together, and the long nights. What is also in my memory is the enormous pleasure of drinking an ice cold "Watson" orange juice. Ice-cold, ice-cold only on the first day, because it was immersed into the ice tank of our very small ice block cooled refrigerator.Shortly after drinking the ice-cold drink, the perperation poured from one, all over. The trick we learned after becoming "old salts" at 19, was to drink hot tea with condensed milk ( fresh non existent) - in that way, thirst was quenched and temperature maintained. Anyone remember those ice cold drinks though ?. And what about the lovely Dairy Farm ice creams. Also on nightime watch, off patrol, but safeguarding our launches, moored sometimes, in the fragrant harbour,  in front of the "new" Arsenal Street/Road Police Station ( New 1955) , just off HMS Tamar Boat Pool, one could listen and literally watch the activities along the Gloucester Road waterfront, Which were, U S Navy Libertyboats leaving the jetty steps in front of the "Flying Angel"  Missions to Seaman, ( Great place that, the Missions to Seaman,  with their new jukebox emitting loudly the new number one hit " Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis), watching to keep awake, intoxicated matelots and their "ladies of the night", lurching down the pacements. Looming large in view was the China Fleet Club, mecca for all matelots from HMS Tamar, Hong Kong Flotilla,and the destroyers and frigates of the RN Far East Fleet.

What a marvellous place, and a dangerous place to be aged just 18. I would not swop that time for any " gap year" or university place. Thanks to "Gwulo" everything can be re-lived and recalled.

Peter Yeates Hong Kong Flotilla

Peter Yeates

Hong Kong Flotilla 1955-1957