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Commander Hoare, centre, with staff of HMS Royal Arthur in 1956. The four men in the foreground are PE instructors

As the former HMS Royal Arthur site in Corsham looks set to become a retirement village, one former captain recalls when he worked alongside the Duke of Edinburgh during the training camp's heyday.

Commander Patrick Hoare was captain of the HMS Royal Arthur from 1956 to 1958.

The 90-year-old who now lives in Corsham Town Centre, has penned a book about his experiences, a copy of which sits in the Imperial War Museum.

In this book, he recalls his time spent at HMS Royal Arthur with much fondness.

At the start of the Second World War, HMS Royal Arthur was established at Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness to train new naval conscripts.

Towards the end of the war, and at the height of National Service, the operation was moved to the outskirts of Corsham in Westwells Road.

The Navy started a Petty Officers' Leadership School, which trained up to 40 petty officers at any one time. It was led by a team of about 15 officers and an overall Commander.

Perhaps the most famous recruit was the Duke of Edinburgh at a time when he was courting the soon to-be Queen Elizabeth.

Commander Hoare, who had his picture taken next to Prince Philip said: "It was an old custom and courtesy that when an officer got engaged he would ask permission of his commanding officer.

"Accordingly the Duke went to his CO and said: request permission to get engaged sir, and my fiancée says that if you refuse it won't be very good for your career!"

The training carried out at the camp comprised lectures, public speaking, religion and ethics as well as physical training and parading.

Mr Hoare said: "The great advantage of having the place in the middle of Wiltshire was that the Petty Officers were not distracted by family matters.

"Our establishment had a particularly close liaison with the town, partly I think because we were small and our activities could be seen by the locals and we also had a close link with the local British Legion."

Many members of the British Legion recall seeing Prince Philip driving around the town in a sports car. He was also often spotted in the Methuen Arms.

Town councillor Peter Davis said: "I've lived in Corsham my whole life and I remember HMS Royal Arthur being a real presence in the town. You used to see the recruits in their uniforms or Prince Philip driving around in his MG."

HMS Royal Arthur was closed in 1993 and has since remained unused. Now planners hope to build a retirement village on the site.

Mr Hoare added: "I fully support the plans, the site has been empty for too long."

11:56am Friday 22nd February 2008

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