89 Date: 2004-02-28 22:19:16
Bob Johnston ( bobbojohnston@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote:

I found your site so good, the small stories brought back memories of turning up at Prescott Street with your bags and looking on the board to check which voyage to choose. I think it was Prescott Street.
I joined the Merchant Navy in 1974, joining the Canberra as a 'winger'. I lasted one trip on Canberra. I spent the whole trip looking lost and gighting with Goanese waiters who kept stealing your gear. Question is was it Prscott Street?And when did it close?

88 Date: 2004-02-12 10:10:35
bob johnston ( bobjohnston@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote:

A great site which I found surfing the net. I never went to sea school but joined the merchant navy in 1974 a week after my 21 st birthday. I remember turning up at the pool office in Prescot Street.Receiving my first joining papers going along to P&O and receving a travel warrant to join Canberra at Southampton as a waiter. It all started in 1974 and ended in Australia 4 years later. Great site , good memories and I loved the definition of What is a Seaman. Keep up the good work.

87 Date: 2004-02-11 23:53:35
John Tomlinson ( ufpc@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote:

As a member of the NSTS Gravesend association, I was wondering if any fellow members could be of any assistance in my search for photos of some of the ships I served in durin the 50s & 60s. The ships in question are:
MV Athelfoam - Athel Line(1954)
MV Athelbeach - Athel Line(1955)
SS Hawkwood - France Fenwick (1957)
Mv Amity (ex Empire Tedassa) Everards (1958)
MV Baltic Arrow - United Baltic Corp (1959) Any help or information received would be very welcome. Thanks very much - John Tomlinson (Hull)

86 Date: 2004-01-27 19:33:11
Bill Young ( takes22tandem@hotmail.com / http://www.geocities.com/tourdetandem/) wrote:

Hi Gordon,
Just letting you and the lads know that the NSW/ACT Vindicatrix website has finally been re-activated, and after 100 hours of work, is back online. The new address is nsw.vindicatrix.com

85 Date: 2004-01-24 23:12:24
Ray Thompsett ( ray2002@gvtc.com / no homepage) wrote:

Comment: (1): Attended NSTS July-Sept 1952. Spent 8 years in catering. Probably we have some trips in common. EmpireFowey,Strathmore,Stratheden,Andes,Rangitiki,Durban Castle,Edinburgh Castle,Caronia, Pretoria Castle, Ascania, Rangitata, Ivernia, Queen Mary, Queen of Bermuda. Jumped ship in New York 1960. Have lived in US for 44 years. Hvae just found this web site. Can't seem to leave it. Going to go through my scrapbook for old photos. NSTS was not one of my fondest memories but it started me on my way to being pretty independent. Great work,thanks for the memories.
Comment: (2): Ray T

Comment: (1): Attended NSTS July-Sept 1952. Spent 8 years in catering. Probably we have some trips in common. EmpireFowey,Strathmore,Stratheden,Andes,Rangitiki,Durban Castle,Edinburgh Castle,Caronia, Pretoria Castle, Ascania, Rangitata, Ivernia, Queen Mary, Queen of Bermuda. Jumped ship in New York 1960. Have lived in US for 44 years. Hvae just found this web site. Can't seem to leave it. Going to go through my scrapbook for old photos. NSTS was not one of my fondest memories but it started me on my way to being pretty independent. Great work,thanks for the memories.
Comment: (2): Ray T

84 Date: 2004-01-16 23:04:25
Bro Don ( buff@buffs.org.uk / http://www.buffs.org.uk) wrote:

Hello Gordon

I have tried to follow up your request (left on my Guest Book) but have not turned up anything of use.
I suggest you contact one of the Kent Lodges who will be better placed to answer your question. It would help me if I knew the Banner to which The Matchstick man belonged. You might appreciate there are many Banners all of which are Sovereign unto themselves and this therefore must be the prime search area. If you can come up with the info then I will be better placed. Don
PS: I am glad you appreciated my Site - yours is excellent.

83 Date: 2004-01-07 12:19:51
Bill Tucker ( unclebill@blueyonder.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

Hi Gordon, great to see a site for Vindi boys, I was there NOv1947 to Jan1948 Deck. Signed on Avonmouth poot told them i was a seaman Ha Ha first trip mv Regent Panther as peggy (deck boy) sick as a dog first trip. Got shanghied on Mv Middlesex Trader, told just BA and back 18 months later of course. Great times just to see ports with British ships. Left sea 1951 to get married. called up to do National Service, could'nt get away with it those days. Ah! the Vindi bad food, bad accomodation but great mates. Remember lining up to go to the Missions to Seaman in the evening running like h..ll to get there. Keep up the good work

82 Date: 2004-01-04 17:07:47
Tom Neal ( tbneal@deneview34.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

Just to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and to thank the webmaster for keeping a great site going. Was at Gravesend March/April 54 but only did a couple of years at sea before doing 22 years in the army. Still do not know if I did the right thing by leaving the MN but still have a great affintiy with the sea. Best wishes to all and if anyone served in MV Montrose or La Hacienda managed by Burries Markes would love to hear from you.

81 Date: 2003-12-30 07:51:15
Robert yare ( fatty_mcblunt@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote:

I'm trying to find some of my father's mates from GSS, His name is Edward Yare (might have been known as Derwent) he trained there in 58. if you can email me with some contact information, i'd be most grateful

80 Date: 2003-12-18 14:10:17
Ray noble ( ray@noble95.freeserve.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

My wife and I both went for trips on the Royal, Soverein from Gt yarmouth one trip to visit the oil rigs, the other trip to visit the priate radios ships off essex both trips,both with fond memories, around 1966 just before we got married regards Ray

79	Date: 2003-12-16 05:48:53 Jim Savage ( jimsav@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote: Comment: (1): location canberra a.c.t.australia ex manchester Comment: (2): hi gordon i was at gravesend july/53until sept/53 as deck trainee,i still have a class photo and my reciepts for all the gear we had to buy and my original bosuns manual which has traveled with me on many a trip. i shipped out of manchester until 1967.i then moved to australia and went on aussie ships, i retired from my last ship the australian trader in1994.great site gordon lets try and get it as good as the vindi site jim savage
78	Date: 2003-12-07 08:41:52 John Lammiman ( johnlammiman.@xtra.co.nz / no homepage) wrote: Well bless my sole,I have just got out my discharge book and I entered Gravesend 28-1-52 and discharged 7-3-52 I was there when the King Died,I have just looked Gravesend was called National Sea Training School,I remember pealing spuds out in the cold and it was cold,the offiocers there were like prison warders mind you it was like being in a prison but I enjoyed it,My first ship after leaving was Strathnaver I joined her 26 May 52 and did 4 round trips to Aussie at 10 pounds per month as a bell boy plus tips I ended up as a winger well I was from trip one as we sailed short crew,I was at sea untill I was 21 and then returned to the U/K where I became a London Taxi driver following in not only my father but my grandfather and my three uncles foot steps they were all London Cabies But at the age of 28 along with my ex wife and 7month old son I came to New Zealand where I have lived ever since and never returned to my native land,I live in a place called Diamond Harbour which is situated on the side of Lyttelton harbour and I live Opposite the port of Lyttelton Most Interesting to me being at sea I see the ships come and go every day also we get the cruse liners in at this time of year only yesterday The Star Princess was in Port for the day she is a big ship only 119000 tons she is making 6 trips to our port,I am now retiered and owing to a marrage problem I live on my own and have done for the past 8 years,I play bowls about three times per week and one of our members is ex Merchant navy got as far as first mate and when he went to sea he was under sail and that was only 60 years ago but it is good to swap storys with him,thats enough from me great web site and good to catch up with you Cheers John Lammiman
77	Date: 2003-12-07 08:09:51 Nicole Lott ( sidmarni@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote: What a brilliant site! My father was in the Merchant Navy between 1943 and 1947. He was on the Esso Saranac when the boiler exploded while in dock at Newport News, Virginia. One man was killed and buried at sea. I'm trying to find any information I can about this event for my father, but unfortunately haven't had any luck. If anyone can tell me where I can find this information, please email me so I can pass it onto Dad! Keep up the great work on the site! Cheers.
76	Date: 2003-11-21 00:46:38 Michael John Brown ( Michael.Brown50@openworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Name: = Michael John Brown Email address: = Michael.Brown50@btopenworld,com Comment: = Hello GSS Iv'e just sailed through some of the Gravesend sites... For anyone looking for Photo's of ships they sailed on look up The National Maritime Museum Greenwich (historic photographs)they have photo's of nearly every ship, you can print an order form of the website,well worth looking at..
75	Date: 2003-11-03 03:40:20 jim savage ( jimsav@hotmil.com.au / no homepage) wrote: hi i was at gravesend july-sept 1953 as a deck trainee i served on many british ships sailing out of the manchester pool, i then shipped out of sydney australia on aussie ships until 1994.i now live in camberra a.c.t.my first ship to sea was cunards white star liner georgic and my last ship was the australian trader of the australian national line.it would be nice to here from any old ship mates or as we used to say board of trade aquantances at my e.mail address, great new site all the best jim savage
74	Date: 2003-10-28 15:22:14 Hugh Cleary ( hugh.cleary@ntlword.com / no homepage) wrote: Love sea storyes .My son baught me a book Endurance The greatest adventure story ever told its wonderfull.Writen byAlfred Lansing .There are many pictures in it . a wonderfull book. I never been in any forces but love the sea. I learned myself navagation maniuly then learned satnave. A frend and I had a Plymoth pylot whitch wee used for fishing 16ft 6 could fish on it. My frend was moving back 2 Ireland wee sold the boat had many good days on it off exess cost. Hugh Cleary.
73	Date: 2003-10-26 13:50:00 Dave Jackson ( larb2003@lycos.com / no homepage) wrote: A fantastic site. Always wated to go to sea but never made it. I can certainly relate to that era though.
72	Date: 2003-10-24 15:37:46 Gary Brunskill ( gbrunskill@blueyonder.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: Hi just browsing and came across your site well done! I was at Gravesend from March 6th 1972 for ten weeks training in catering my aunt had a pub The Swan and Mitre in nearby Bromley so I was sorted every weekend. Remeber Mr Plumb and co had a good time really first as a Peanut and then tea and biscuits with Mr Plumb before being sent home and joining my first ship the Star Arcadia then onto CP Ships with the CP Explorer sister ship CP Voyaguer left after about a year to work in my Dad's business but enjoyed every minute of my time I guess i'ts what you make it eh? I have a black and white class photo from 1972 if you would like it i can email it Cheers
71	Date: 2003-10-06 11:05:56 rod newell r332839 ( nrodnwl@aol.com / no homepage) wrote: nice site gordon as an ex vindi lad in 1943 its almost as good as ours keep up the good work
70	Date: 2003-09-15 11:32:51 Martyn Wrigh ( martyn.alwaysrockin@tiscali.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: Great piece of work-keep it up.

59	Date: 2003-07-09 19:20:39 ken woodae ( kenneth.woodage@btopenworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Dear Gordon i have been trying too get in touch my home adrress is 24 dorthy evans close bexleyheath kent da76aj
58	Date: 2003-06-28 23:19:25 Gordon Tumber ( troubadourtumber@aol.com / http://www.m-navydays.com) wrote: Re ENTRY No 54- Barbra Ryan Hello Barbra, Thanks for visiting my website. I sailed with Union-Castle at various times from 1957 (Athlone Castle) through to 1963. Other ships included the Winchester Castle, Pendennis Castle (Maiden Voyage)Capetown Castle and Transvaal Castle (Maiden voyage). Loved the run and the country. Pity it all came to a halt. Your sister could well be right about sailing home on the Edinburgh Castle. The third ship carrying that name was launched on October 16 1947 and replaced the Warwick Castle which was torpedoed off Gibraltar in November 1942. The Edinburgh Castle did her maiden voyage to the Cape Dec 9 1948. She had a refit in 1962 and modernised and refitted in 1967. This last refit might have caused the confusion that she wasn't built until 1966. She left Southampton in March 1976 on her last passenger sailing. She then did a one-way cargo voyage to the East before going for scrap on June 4 in Kaohsiung. Average life expectancy for a liner was around 30 years so she did her stint. I honestly don't know where you could get a copy of the Passenger List especially with the company now defunct. You might strike lucky with someone who saved one personally somewhere. I have one somewhere from the Athlone Castle that I kept because my eldest daughter (now 46) was born when we were crossing the equator. If I can be of any more help please let me know. All best wishes and clutch onto those glorious treasured memories. Gordon Tumber
57	Date: 2003-06-23 01:15:42 George Cain ( gcain@localnet.com / no homepage) wrote: Just noticed I put my email address in the wrong place.Correcting the error because I would love to hear from anyone. Best wishes to all. George
56	Date: 2003-06-22 03:14:59 Ron Collins (R343070 ( rfwc@sa.apana.org.au / http://sa.apana.org.au/~rfwc) wrote: Just browsing Gordon and found your Site. All very interesting, thanks a lot. I am still searching for a Photo of the April/June 1946 Catering intake if anybody can let me have a copy. Thanks again.. Enjoy Life. Kindest Regards to all..
55	Date: 2003-06-22 02:23:31 George Cain ( no email / no homepage) wrote: Hi Gordon, I am an ex-vindi boy,Catering Dec59/Jan60, just recently joined the Vindi Association(last week),never knew such a place exsisted, thought we where all dried up sailors.Loved reading the notes from the other guys. I sailed with BP, on the Gannet,Gull,Light,Kestrel,Grenadier,Guardian, and last but not least the rust bucket Craftsman.I sailed until Nov 1963, was married and emigrated to Delaware USA in 1967, and have been here since, would love to hear from any one that may remember me, or sailed on any of the ships between 1960-1963. Great job on your endeavors on the site. Does anyone know of a person called Terry Collis from Surry England, we sailed to-gether on the Light, would love to hear from him if he is still around. Your mate George Cain. My e-mail gcain@localnet.com
54	Date: 2003-06-18 21:59:28 Barbara Ryan ( barmal@ntlworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Can anyone help!!!I recently visited the Liverpool Maritime museum and it brought back a flood of wonderful childhood memories of when I sailed back to the UK from South Africa in 1959 on one of the Union Castle liners. I was 7yrs old and travelled back with my mum and older sister. (My dad had to stay longer until he saved his fare!) I can remember vividly our cabin, dining room, the great fun we had crossing the equator (we have cine movies of this and it's great to watch)and of course all the wonderful stewards who took care of us. I'm now trying to find out more details about the ship and her history but I can't remember the name. My sister who is 2yrs older than me seems to think it was the Edinburgh Castle but I read that that ship wasn't launched until the 1960's... can anyone help me with what ship it may have been? Also is there anyway I can locate passenger list details for 1958/59 so I can locate what our cabin number was. Thanks to anyone who can be of any help.
53	Date: 2003-06-17 19:44:32 Pat McCardle ( pgmcardles@btopenworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Went to NSTC Gravesend Nov'77-Feb'78 Had a marvelous time? Remembering loosing my false tooth(Front right) in the swimming pool only for it to turn up on the playing field about 3 weeks later, just before Prince Charles landed at a 'secret location' for his de-mob. Must of wanted to see my nice smile eh? Shipped out with P&O on 'SOMERSET' for 2 years on the Kiwi run, what an education.Thanking all the lads who shared this time of our lives before being shipped out to rid the world of unrest and to bring love and diplomacy to every bar visited. We did'nt put the world to right but enjoyed ourselves trying. Now stuck in the North Sea 'The Last Bastion(or resting place) Of The British Merchant Seaman.....JUST!!
52	Date: 2003-06-12 07:50:28 Allan Burrow ( alsten@weitech.com.au / no homepage) wrote: G'day Gordon, Is this the official GSS website? Either way way, best of luck with it. Have you started a GSS Association such as the Vindi Boys Associations worldwide that I belong to? Regards, Allan Burrow Deck 1955 Now in Aussie
51	Date: 2003-05-15 22:10:32 Roy Peters ( roy.peters@ntlworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Vindi Oct/Dec 1955, your intro made me feel very nosalgic I could see it all again, KGV, Roundhouse,Dock Street Pool.I just feel so sad that it's all gone they were such carefree days an experience that would not go amiss with the youth of today. I remember when I went to join a King boat well known for their long trips the mate went balistic when we said we wanted a long one at least 12 months he told us they were only going for a short trip of 2 months and would be home for Xmas, we turned it down and joined a shell tanker 7 months later in B.A Argentina they were there and no sign of getting home !! Happy Days God knows what todays PC crowd would have made of the way we were treated. Calm seas and good luck in the future Roy
50	Date: 2003-05-15 01:38:29 eric wallace ( villagus11@netzero.com / no homepage) wrote: always glad to see a mernavy website.I am always hoping to find some old buddies sailed with.Last was Hazelmoor 3rd Eng 1959.looking for Lenny Wilson and some other geordies give me an email if you know where they are

49	Date: 2003-05-09 01:46:36 NormanAustin ( cockatoohill@bigpond.com / no homepage) wrote: Hi,Found your site whilst surfin I'm an old boyfrom 68 Ileft in Dec68 with aguy called TOMMY FRANKS we caught the train up to London went to the pool, up stairs for a medical,[a quike drop of the strides cough & that was it we were handed air tickets to japan we spent time on the PORT BRISBANE in the KGV docks, then flew to TOKYO to join the PORT ALFRED singed on dec16 1968 spent 10 mths on her as deck boy[peggy] ,TOM stayed on I flew home we finally cought up &shipped out together as EDH"s on the ENUGU PALM 17/9/70--7-12-70 ] lost contact since then. spent the 70's with SSA & PORT LINE + afew others finally dropping the anchor in 83 lots of great memories.ANYONE out there??? great site. ships of the 70's,British Lantern70, Port SYDNEY70,EnuguPalm70,hima70-71,WinchesterBrook71,BaronCawdor71, Essex71,Kingennie71,ScottishWasa71,PIZARRO71,CANOPIC72,CEDRIC72--73CYMRIC73,Illyric73-74,SUEVIC74[the scrape run],PORT AUCKLAND74-75,+++++ regards Norman.
48	Date: 2003-04-20 22:30:39 J.D.Meadowcroft. ( jmeado5813@aol.com / no homepage) wrote: URGENT MESSAGE. Young Lady Looking for a Photo of the training group G.S.S.April To June 23rd 1950.Grandad Called Brian Holland. CAN YOU HELP Please contact, John G/Sec. Thank You.
47	Date: 2003-04-20 20:40:31 chris glue ( maff_animalman@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote: very good story i was a seaman myself had 8.5 yrs of it, very happy years some times i miss it but never mind i am getting old now so i stay on dry land .
46	Date: 2003-03-13 06:08:08 Stephen Owen ( lodge@intrans.az / no homepage) wrote: 18 months ago, I saw an article in the paper concerning NSTC, haven't looked back since. Although I haven't found anyone I personally know yet, I feel I will in the fullness of time as word gets around.Anyone who reads this and was at the NSTC in my 10 weeks catering through August / October 82, why not get in touch! I'd particularly like to find Gary Kennedy (BP Deckhand) from Edinburgh, we had our interviews together at Britannic Hse and both of us were on our first trip to London. Pales in insignificance nowadays but I remember it was amazing for both us at that time. Anyone knowing myself, please get in touch!
45	Date: 2003-03-12 22:29:28 Billy Brown ( w.brown5@blueyonder.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: was at NSTS gravesend in 1969,deck trainee, left Dec '69 and joined small Ellerman boat in L'pool 'Palmelian'. From there went to Shaw Saville 'Ceramic','Medic'. NZSC's 'Cumberland', 'Piako', then messed around with Shell 'Vitrius', Palm Line 'Ikeja Palm', Moss Hutchison 'Armarna' and Elder Dempsters 'Aureol' before ending up with Blue Funnel 'Elpenor' & 'Antilichus'. Left 1975 and worked ashore for 3 months, couln't stand it, and went up to Peterhead and got a job on a supply boat 'Theriot Offshore IV&V stayed 18 months and then swallowed the anchor for good.Now I am married ,22yrs, 1 child, a daughter, and have been a firefighter in Liverpool for 26 yrs. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me or any of the ships I have mentioned above. Great site by the way
44	Date: 2003-03-09 15:01:03 Tom Neal ( tbneal@deneview34.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: Hi Gordon I have been looking at various sites and keep seeing the term Peanuts with regard to Gravesend Sea School. I know that I may be considered old and therefore may have memory relapses but when I was at Gravesend in 1954 I cannot rememeber anyone calling me a peanut. Was this a later thing or did I miss something ??
43	Date: 2003-03-07 15:05:08 philip jones ( phil_55@lycos.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: you made me smile,like you I was in the catering dept,unlike you I never got to sail on liners,just old tubs,like the mv queensgarth,mv Dunard,anyone who,s sailed on them would agree (rivated)used to creek with every role,I once sailed on a flash new tanker the british willow,bloody hot when your loading oil in the med and the galley is sealed anyway I like your site keep it up
42	Date: 2003-03-02 07:15:16 Kenneth Gray ( kennethgray@optusnet.com.au / no homepage) wrote: In November 2002 I gave my E.Mail address wrongly. Instead of Optusnet,I missed the {net}.Wonderful to visit your site,long may it reign. Regards Ken Gray.
41	Date: 2003-02-27 08:16:03 peter creed ( peterjohncreed@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote: been ashore for six years and miss it so much. was at sea school 1977 and what fun I had? ha ha!!!
40	Date: 2003-02-25 11:05:45 Gordon ( troubadourtumber@aol.com / http://www.m-navydays.com) wrote: For Miss Swartz We would very muh like to help you but unfortunately there is an error in your email address and we cannot contact you Regards Gordon

39 Date: 2003-02-23 17:11:52
miss a swartz ( usaale11@aol.com / no homepage) wrote:

Dear sir madam,
i am trying to locate a photograph of the intake class to the Gravesend sea school in July 1950 for my grandfather who served as a galley boy on the SS Tongariro for the merchant navy.
Please email me back
Yours Sincerely
Miss A Swartz

38 Date: 2003-02-23 14:19:16
Tom Neal ( tbneal@deneview34.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

Great site Gordon.
I was at Gravesend early 1954 and seeing the note on your page regarding the offer from Robin Hurst (ex vindi) to supply a copy of the prospectus for the Sea Schools I e mailed him and got a reply almost by return. I can recommend anyone who is interested to obtain a copy from him as it certainly brings back many memories.
Best wishes to all

37 Date: 2003-02-19 17:10:09
Brian Whittle ( mrbrianwhittle@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote:

Its great to have a website like this.
I was at Gravesend during the first( and coldest)three months of 1970 and remember Paddy McGorrah? taking us upriver to the pub in the lifeboat.
I remember trying to have a skinhead haircut instead of the "basin".I don’t have much choice nowadays!
All the Best,
Brian

36 Date: 2003-02-15 18:45:57
William Grant ( williamgrant@jerseymail.co.uk / http://www.williamgrant.20megsfree.com) wrote:

Found your site interesting and informative, your site is well presented and well worth a few more visits, i enjoyed the poetry page the most, some of them are quite moving.

35 Date: 2003-02-10 20:03:12
Cornelius Scriven ( Parduecpr@aol.com / no homepage) wrote:

Lets have more ex passy boat members

34 Date: 2003-01-30 15:42:05
Dave Hooker ( dave@fmeast.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

Found this website by chance, and boy does it bring back memories of the good times, Gravesend was a shock to the system , the short, back and sides, the dorm raids going into town and having to be back into the training school by 2200hrs sharp, 6 weeks eh? . Anyway Union Castle Line some great times Good Hope Castle, Windsor Castle, Edinburgh Castle,QE2, Northern Star to name a few .
Gordon, Good luck with website a nice surprise.

33 Date: 2003-01-23 14:46:29
PETER D TURNER ( peterdturner@aol.com / no homepage) wrote:

a good one, kind regards, ab 1959-1966
I WAS A VINDI BOY 1959, AFTER :-
SS MARYLYN,
BRISBANE STAR ,
TANTALLON CASTLE,
BEAVERDELL,
LA FALDA'
ALDERNEY COAST,
ORIANA,
IBADAN PALM,
ANDALUSIAN,
LOVE U ALL YOU KNOBHEADS .............

32 Date: 2003-01-22 20:44:29
David Gallagher ( david@gallagher9042.freeserve.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

I Was at the sea school from Feb 15th 1971 for ten weeks, I was in the catering section my number was 13449. I was in J class, does any one out there remember me, a few names I do remember Lee Maden from Liverpool, Mick Scrigins from leister, Stephen Attkinson from Manchester, Pete Fuller from Chatham. when I finished at the sea school I worked for Esso for three years, the ships I were on were the Esso Fawley, Cardiff Northumbria, and Warwickshire, I left the MN in 1974 I am now 47 and still think there is one more trip left in me. All the best to all the old Gravesend boys.

31 Date: 2003-01-11 12:06:22
Ian Warren ( ianwarren@mayfield55.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote:

It was interesting to look through your website, and it jogged a few memories. I was at Gravesend from September - November 1971, and joined the Pendennis Castle as a bell boy. After 8 trips to South Africa I joined the Flinders Bay, and went to Australia. It seems a long, long time ago now, but they were great days.
Regards
Ian

30 Date: 2003-01-10 12:18:05
John Stocking ( js@sys.uea.ac.uk / no homepage) wrote:

Nice site, I was a Sparks with BP during the 60s & 70s. Happy Days!!
regards
John

19	Date: 2002-10-27 22:47:42 ray thompsett ( rayt2002@gvtc.com / no homepage) wrote: I spent my training at NSTS Gravesend July through September in 1952. Joined the Empire Fowey in September and started an 8 year career by going to Korea as a catering boy. Small world, have lived in the United States since jumping ship in New York in 1960 from the Queen of Bermuda. p.s I am a citizen.
18	Date: 2002-10-27 08:34:29 rob montgomery ( robnjill@bigpond.com / no homepage) wrote: great site ...well done we get a few GSS spies infiltrating our orginisation namely the TSVA ...all tarred with the same brush.that we are .......you are now on the favourite list..good luck at all times
17	Date: 2002-10-23 08:04:40 John England ( john.england@gmx.de / no homepage) wrote: Gordon, the new-look site is a ripper. Well done, mate! John England, Berlin Vindi (D) Oct 1948-Jan 1949
16	Date: 2002-10-22 23:10:19 Dennis.M.Crosby. ( dgcrosby3@shaw.ca / no homepage) wrote: Entered Vindicatrix on 8th May 1944 until July 1st 1944 in Deck Dept:R318269.Quit sailing in Oct 1950 and in 1951 collected my German Wife & Daughter and emigrated to South Africa.Moved to Northern Rhodesia in 1956 & worked in the Coppermines.Began Flying Instruction & obtained my Private Pilot's Licence & Night Rating in 1962 moved to Bulawayo Rhodesia in 1968 finally moved to Canada in 1970 where I worked in heavy Construction Camps having purchased a 2 seater aircraft & flying between my home in Grande Prairie Alberta & various jobs instead of having to drive 516 miles home each weekend and collecting a speeding ticket each time from the RCMP.I am now enjoying a quiet sedate life on beautiful Vancouver Island.Never had it so good ! I enjoyed your site tremendously Gordon and will return to view the additions very often.Good Luck.
15	Date: 2002-10-18 16:14:12 Steve Bass ( steve@basss.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: Anyone know if the book "School for seamen" by Roy Dereham is still available ?
14	Date: 2002-10-12 10:18:42 Jim Telford ( Jtelpt@Aol.com / no homepage) wrote: Hi Gordon. Your site brings back many memories of my ten years at sea 1950-1960, five of those years with Union Castle Line following pre-sea training on T.S. Dolphin at Leith. Started as Cabin Boy and ended up as Deck Steward (where the money was to be made !!!) Best regards and continued success. Jim Telford
13	Date: 2002-10-05 21:24:58 Peter C Byron ( pbyron@telco4u.net / no homepage) wrote: Bloody brilliant greta to have met you and worked with. Peter
12	Date: 2002-10-04 13:12:34 Iain McColl ( MCLUGAR@aol.com / no homepage) wrote: No R734125 Gravesend boy from September to october 1960 first ship Orion spent 22 years in the navy starting as Bell Boy and left as Catering Officer in 1982
11	Date: 2002-09-30 12:21:15 Ray McCerery ( ray.mccerery@ntlworld.com / no homepage) wrote: Hi Good Just back from Brasil. Smashing new look to the site, Let's hope we get more members. Rgds Ray
10	Date: 2002-09-27 17:50:22 Joe Earl ( jearl28107@aol.com / http://www.ReluctantHeroes.co.uk) wrote: A Sailors Lament Gulls have pecked my eyes out, fish have cleaned my bones - A man`s recycled this way, in the locker of D. Jones, Me and many shipmates, all were heaven sent, To cross the bar in silence - in liquid monument, Finished with our human form and all the earthly strife, Now biding midst the briny in our salty afterlife, Whether you just paddle, or sail across the sea, Please treat the water kindly - for it could be partly me!

9	Date: 2002-09-20 22:29:46 Ian Craig ( saltysam@xtra.co.nz / no homepage) wrote: Ahoy Gordon, new look site is looking good keep up the good work. we are still fighting the good fight in NZ. Warm Regards Ian Craig Editor NZMNA Newsletters "Red Ensign" and "The Signal"
8	Date: 2002-09-16 20:04:22 Bill Young ( intuitt@optushome.com.au / http://members.optushome.com.au/fewclewz/Getting_Intuit/) wrote: Hi Gordon, Just found your new look site after coming home from the 2nd Australasian Vindicatrix reunion. We had a couple of GSS boys there, as well as a couple of other "Ringins" but what the hell, we are all the same really aren't we. Congratulations on the new site, will check in often.Regards, Bill
7	Date: 2002-09-16 18:52:20 Suzanne Ahearne ( paulsuz@axionet.com / no homepage) wrote: Could be my Mac, but on your new site I can't find either the Gravesend class pics nor an e-mail address to send a class picture to put up on your site--for my father Des Ahearne who graduated from Gravesend in 1942/43 and would like to see it there. Kindly email me the address to do this. Many thanks. Suzanne
6	Date: 2002-09-16 14:25:38 Norman Brice ( nwbrice@hotmail.com / http://www.geocities.com/n_t_s_c/) wrote: Well done Gordon,Top job you are doing,hope you get loads of response from the new look site. Gravesend Jan 1981 to March 1981,Catering Dept. Just a quick note to everyone,my site has stopped at present due to circumstances beyond my control.
5	Date: 2002-09-16 10:53:03 Billy McGee ( w.mcgee@ntlworld.com / http://www.british-merchant-navy.co.uk) wrote: Hello Gordon, I take it you received my email on setting up the new guestbook. Congratulations on the new look site as well, lets hope it goes from stength to strength. Rgds Billy McGee (N.S.T.C. Sept-Dec. 1980)
4	Date: 2002-09-16 01:23:52 Gary (Nutty) Taylor ( gary@gtaylor23.fsnet.co.uk / no homepage) wrote: Gordon, I like the changes you've made, I hope we get many more association members Regards Gary Taylor
3	Date: 2002-09-15 21:08:10 KEN WHEATLAND ( kennethwheatland@hotmail.com / no homepage) wrote: hello gordon, just found your new look page, congratulations on a job well done. hope that the guest book is soon full.hope to see more soon. regards ken wheatland
2	Date: 2002-09-14 13:19:02 Brian ( brian@merchant-navy.net / http://www.merchant-navy.net) wrote: Well done Gordon! Lot's of interesting content with scope for lots more. An enjoyable visit which will be repeated! Brian.
1	Date: 2002-09-14 03:27:39 GORDON TUMBER ( troubadourtumber@aol.com / http://www.m-navydays.com/newpages/homepage.htm) wrote:

11/03/01 12:21:30 GMT
Name: Robin (TSVA Site Bosun) MY URL: Visit Me
Location:
Comments:
Welcome Gordon from 'the other lot'. My only connection with Gravesend was to have my medical at your illustrious institution in November 1948, to determine if I was fit enough to withstand the rigours of a winter in that holiday camp, on the banks of the River Severn at Sharpness.