Sketch-book. [A well-executed manuscript scrapbook documenting a teenage girl’s badge activities and artistic talents in the Girl’s Nautical Training Corps attached to the Medway Yacht Club, in Lower Upnor, Rochester. She has incorporated magazine and clipping nautical illustrations, with paintings, diagrams, manuscript, and maps].

[Gillingham, Kent, England (UK): Diana Frances Johnston, 175 Grange Road, ca. 1952-1956]. Oblong 4to. 11.75 x 9 in. 36, [64] leaves, hand-numbered, w/ 40 leaves (80 pp.) neatly filled w/ clippings, images, 1 silver print photo of a Nore Command Sailing Assoc. racing marks, with most filled recto & verso, about 29 leaves filled w/ watercolour paintings, drawings, diagrams in ink, or pencil, some coloured pencil drawings & diagrams, illustrations, hand-drawn colour maps & 1 laid-in 4 pp. Race Instructions for the Medway Yacht Club, w/ clipped map laid-in for 1955 race. Contemporary commonplace books, painted covers, painted cloth spine, marbled endpapers, w/ flyleaves reinforced w/ brown paper tape (minor rubbing, minor bumping to corners, edgewear, wear to corners), still VG exemplar, w/ ownership markings on endpapers. This attractive nautical manuscript sketchbook serves as an excellent artifact documenting the Girl’s Nautical Training Corps cadets at the Medway Yacht Club at Lower Upnor, Rochester. The GNTC which had been launched in 1942 under the National Association of Training Corps for Girls, was congruent with the Sea Cadet Corps to teach young girls and women seamanship skills, and prepare them for service with the Women’s Royal Naval Service. By 1952, they numbered 50 units under the command of Lady Pamela Mountbatten, Corps Commandant to 1959, and those in southern England were the most active. Ms. Johnston’s sections and paintings encompass International Flag codes, nautical terminology with specific references to the 14 foot dinghy used for training of these young GNTC sailors. Also featured are profiles for distinguishing boars and ships including Naval Vesse;s Anchors, buoys & mooring; Ropes & knots along with rigging for Cutter, Yawl & Ketch; Morse Code semaphore flag signals; and boat construction. Her short history of the GNTC has been enhanced by drawings of GNTC Ranks and Sleeve Stripes. The hand-drawn and painted maps show the Medway Yacht Club racing marks course stretching from Chatham to Sheerness, along the River Medway, past Stangate Creek, the Swale, and South Vantley Creek near the Nor Marsh and Gillingham. The GNTC cades also participated in camping, sporting activities, such as Netball, and their badges ranged from Ordinary Cadet to Botswains Mate, Oarsman & Canoist, to Ships Cook and Camper. The GNTC was later incorporated as a full member of the Sea Cadets in March, 1980, and girls were approved for full membership.