A photo of the button boy making his frightening climb to the button on top of the 143 foot mast at HMS Ganges in July 1966. Picture: DAVE KINDRED (Image: DAVE KINDRED) ...

For decades, HMS Ganges in Suffolk was the first taste of naval life for generations of Royal Navy recruits. But 40 years ago, on 6 June 1976, it was decided that the training base would close.

IT was September 4, 1956. Intent on becoming sailors, 15-year-olds Ian Thomson and Ken Anderson entered HMS Ganges Boys Training Establishment for the first time.