A Selection of Cartoons

© RN Communications Branch Museum/Library

  Question: Ever heard about the ORDER "on your knee" or "on your knees" and I bet you a bob or more that you cannot answer the question. More of that in a minute. Oh by the way, being a CGI might help but I doubt it ! Answer at the bottom of the page.

No sorry mate. I cant marry you.
My Mum would go crazy if I brought a matelot home.

Reggies' Eyesight Test	Rabbits or Pigs	Chief Writer	Arch demon on the Lower Deck
Dress of the Day	The Run Ashore	Pussers or Bernards	Jimmy thinking!
Ditching gash!	Picture of good health	Jacks medical!	Amen!! to all that
Off Caps!	Rum Issue	Rats
The Pusser's Bedspread

Now back to that Royal Naval expression - "on your knee" or expanded "on your knees". Ever heard of it ? No, nor had I until I came across this story about Portsmouth RNB which led to courts martial and some heavy punishments for certain ratings. In much earlier times [late 19th and early 20th centuries] it was the norm for newspapers to follow courts martial as they happened and to report upon them for public domain use at the end of each day or session or case. This story comes from the TIMES NEWSPAPER dated September 1906 when HMTE Shotley [which became RNTE Shotley and later HMS Ganges] was in its embryonic stages, when punishments were harsh [and didn't necessarily fit the crime !] and any slackness in discipline was quickly stamped on. Have a look at
The Disturbance at Portsmouth Naval Barracks in 1905