Robertson's
HMS Crichton

HMS Crichton  is my most wanted Robertson Golly Badge, like most collectors. Apparently only fifty where made, as they were all issued to the member of the crew on HMS CRICHTON.

HMS CRICHTON used the famous Robertson Golly as its mascot in 1983.

HMS Crichton Sweatshirt
An untold Story!

Below is HMS Crichton Sweatshirt, with the picture golly badge on the front and Fishery Protection printed on the front. Apparently all 32 crewmembers received this sweatshirt,  these sweatshirts were made especially for those serving on the ship at the time and there were no more than about 35 made. Apparently made by the ships company in 1985.

I have never seen any reference to this sweatshirt before. May be other 'Golly Collectors' or other 'HMS crew members' may be able  provide me with more information.

The believe this information above is 100% authentic as I have purchased the sweatshirt and the oringinal HMS Crichton badge from a crewmember serving on HMS Crichton at the time.

I have found this interesting story of how the HMS Crichton Badge came about. Article taken from Ton Class Association Forum

The story of the HMS CRICHTON
How the Golly badge and how it came about
The HMS CRICHTON was launched on the 17th March 1953 and started life as HMS Clyde and then HMS St David before assuming her final name in 1977 on joining the Fishery Protection Squadron. She joined the First Minecountermeasures Squadron (MCM 1) in early 1980 having had an extensive refit a Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland.

It was the tradition at the time that the ships of The First MCM wore bridge badges. The first of these was HMS Brinton with the youngest Commanding Officer in the squadron she was affectionately called "The Banana Boat". She had on her bridge a large yellow banana with the word Fyfe, (the main supplier of bananas to the Royal Navy.)

Whilst HMS Crichton was in refit awaiting a new commission, one of the ships company, a young Able Seaman collected The Robertson's Jam Golly badges. He suggested that the Bridge badge should therefore be a 'Golly'.

Approval was given by Robertson's Jam and a large Golly some four foot high, was produced at The Fleet Maintenance Unit (FMU) in Rosyth Dockyard. Sailors from HMS Crichton painted the badge during lonely night watches.

When the ship finally came out of refit she proudly wore the new Golly badge on her bridge clearly visible on her forecastle. A framed coloured photograph of the ship was sent to Robertson's with a request that a number of sailor golly badges could be provided for the whole ships company. It was much to the surprise of the ships company when a limited edition of only fifty badges was supplied, bearing the name HMS Crichton under the sailor's feet.

All the ships company was given a badge each a total of around thirty-two badges and all the squadron staff (eight in all) was presented with a badge each by the First Lieutenant and the Ships Company. The ten remained locked in the First Lieutenants safe for new members of the ships company, yet to join. On all visits the saliors were always required to wear the Golly Badge before we were allowed onboard. This was the last commission of hms crichton before she was decommissioned and scrapped, subsequently no other badges were made.

Right: is of the ships last journey to Rosyth Naval Base, Scotland before she was de-commissioned (you can see the de-commissioning pennant hanging from the mast).