HMS Valkyrie (shore establishment)

HMS Valkyrie II was commissioned in September 1943, to train signal men and wireless telegraphy ratings for landing craft assembling for D-Day as existing establishments could not provide sufficient personnel in time.[5] To meet this requirement men were transferred from the Army and RAF, and at the peak period 2,500 ratings were under training on a six months course.[6] The messing problem of this huge commitment was solved by supplying the food from naval sources and cooking it at the Empress and Palace hotels under the supervision of civilian contractors. The Palace Dance Hall was converted into a vast mess hall where 1,200 ratings could sit down together for a meal.

A section of Douglas Beach was closed off to the public for training, much of which necessarily took place outdoors.

By the time of the Invasion of France, Valkyrie II's function had ceased and the establishment was paid off in March 1944.[7]

Admiral Sir Percy Noble KCB, CVO, Commander in Chief Western Approaches, inspecting WRNS during a visit to HMS Valkyrie.

On the cessation of hostilities plans were put in place to decommission HMS Valkyrie. At 16:00hrs on Monday 30 December 1946, the White Ensign at HMS Valkyrie was lowered for the last time. The premises on Douglas Promenade were vacated and this was followed by the premises on Douglas Head which were vacated on 31 January 1947, at the conclusion of the decommissioning ceremony.[8]

During the lifetime of HMS Valkyrie over 30,000 naval ratings passed through the Royal Navy's No. 1 Radar Training School.[9]

HMS Valkyrie was responsible for the training of Radar operators from various countries and in addition it became home to a detachment from the French Navy who underwent Radar training at the establishment.[10] Under the command of Lieutenant Jean Colin,[11] the detachment arrived at the commencement of the Valkyrie's commission and from June 1943 over 400 French sailors were trained in Douglas.[12]