A group dedicated to the upholding of the memory of those who served in the Royal or Merchant Navies, and all those who supported them in the carrying out of this service.
'Join the navy and see the world.' proclaimed the words on the old recruiting posters. Unfortunately we of the Grey Funnel Line cannot promise you as much. True we do sometimes get invitations to travel abroad but usually to areas within Europe.
The Grey Funnel line is made up of a group of enthusiasts for the navy and its traditions and in keeping with so many other re-enactment groups attempt to uphold the memory of all of those men and women who served during the wars of the last century.
Although we generally set our displays to cover the era of the Second World War, we also have an interest in the late Victorian when in 1857 the uniform was standardised, through the Edwardian periods, both periods with their various naval campaigns, on to the First World War and so to the Second.
Why the Grey Funnel Line?
The answer dates back to a time when Britain held the largest mercantile fleet in the world. Each shipping company registered their colours and emblem which were to be displayed on the funnel so that the "owners" could be recognised at a distance. For example Cunard ships had a red funnel with a thick black band around the top.
Around the turn of the last century the colour of the ships of the Royal Navy tended increasingly to be all grey along with the funnel and so gradually the merchant mariners tended to refer to them as the Grey Funnel Line. An old term that because of its connection to the navy we have used as the name of our own group.
You are just playing at being sailors!
I suppose that in some ways this is true. As with any display group we tend not to be 'professionals', but we try our best to do things in the correct way. The last thing that any of us would wish is to insult one of the veterans who see us.
In our case it is true that we have no ships to play with but then the fly boys have few if any aircraft, yet even without being afloat there is a great deal that can be done for it has to be remembered that men served ashore as well as afloat.
Recruitment
Like all re-enactment/living history groups, the Grey Funnel Line is always on the lookout for new members as this will allow us to do more and put on better displays. Although not essential an interest in nautical subjects or simply re-enactment/living history is an obvious advantage as is an ability talk to the public, but do not be put off by this, there will be others around to give support.
Whom then do we welcome?
In general we are willing to welcome almost anyone within the group, however in an attempt to convey the right impression when we mount a display we do try to enrol those who are willing to take on the persona of ratings rather than officers. This does not mean that we have a bar on the latter but the lower ranks did after all make up the bulk of the service.
Obviously where age is concerned we are as flexible as possible. The service was made up of people of all ages and from all walks of life and so why should we not follow. Often sailors were called back into service from retirement to feed the demands made upon the fleet. At the other end of the scale boys entered the service early as cadets or boy seamen, some even seeing active service so age is not a real problem providing a sense of balance is maintained. However a child under sixteen has to be accompanied by a responsible adult for obvious reasons.
Having women in the group is no problem in fact we openly embrace them, if you will pardon the expression, and encourage them to take part, after all. The W.R.E.N.S, or more correctly, W.R.N.s, were, an important part of the service allowing men to re-join the fleet. They did almost all of the jobs that a sailor was able to. Officially they did not fire the weapons in anger but unofficially 'needs must when the devil drives.'
It must be said however, unlike many groups, the G.F.L. will not allow women to dress as men or masquerade as men, just to make up the numbers. This, we feel is wrong for a whole raft of reasons and certainly gives the wrong impression. Fortunately for our members there is little in the way of duties that the men carried out that the WRENS did not do.
Wrens were used in all manner of tasks. The servicing of weapons was undoubtedly of great importance. Here one of our members is seen taking apart just some of those that we have during a display at the dockyard.