Greetings Shipmates,
 
Having recently come across a reference to "Lieut. Thornycroft" in a publication which I have from my time as a Boy Seaman at H.M.S. Ganges, I decided to delve deeper into my 'archives' and can now report a  few more nuggets of information for your interest.
 
Lieutenant C.E.M. Thornycroft was the Divisional Officer of the H.M.S. Ganges "Blake" Division during the year 1947 and responsible, together with Mr. W.H. Turner, Commissioned Gunner, for the training of Boys in 6 and 11 Messes (Communications Classes) and 8, 9, and 10 Messes (Seaman Classes). 
 
As I vividly recall, having joined "Ganges" February 11th, the weather early 1947 was the worst on record for many years and the Establishment was virtually snowbound for several weeks, with little outdoor sport able to be played other than clearing snow from the Parade Ground or the road to Shotley.
 
However, when sport was able to resume, Lieutenant Thornycroft played Rugby for the "Establishment XV" and attached is a photograph supporting this, showing "Ted" in the front row, 4th from the left, with a dog at his feet.     For my own part I was playing rugby for my "Rodney" Division team and the "Ganges" Boys 1st XV, so it is possible we played against one another in the Officers v Boys match.
 
Another reference to "Ted" I found in the Easter edition of "The Shotley Magazine", when
H.M.S. Ganges presented the play:-
"Maria Marten", or "The Murder in The Red Barn".
 
In this production, the part of "Ishmael Lee" was played by  Lieut. Edward Thornycroft.  I can only vaguely remember anything about the play but it would appear that Ishmael Lee eventually came to a sorry end.
 
My original source of information is :-  
 H.M.S. Ganges, Captain E.W. Bush, D.S.O., D.S.C.
 
"REVIEW by Vice-Admiral Sir Philip L. Vian, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O.**
A Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Air),"
 
to celebrate The BIRTHDAY of HIS MAJESTY THE KING, Thursday June 12th 1947
 
In "The Order of March Past and Composition of the Brigade", in No. 2 Battalion, "D" Company, consisting of three Platoons from "Blake" Division, the Company  Commander is Lieut. C.E.M. Thornycroft.
 
A final reference to "Ted" which I found in the Christmas edition of "The Shotley Magazine"states that "Divisional Officer Lieut. Thornycroft will be leaving "Ganges" at the end of this term and "would like to express his regret that he will not be here next term to share the frost, snow, East wind, German Measles and other delights in store for you who are staying on".
 
"Ted" eventually served with the Flotilla 1949/50

 
Yours Aye
 
Vincent Hart,