Gravesend peanut

[Ray Caines (Brummie)]

Hi
I was there in 75 April started in catering, i remember getting out of the mini bus that collected us from the railway station and lads were shouting from windows "peanuts, peanuts".
Someone said it was to do with the haircut we was about to get

Also remember sliding around the dorm on my mattress buffing up the polished floor, and dorm raids every night
Ray

[Razorab]

I have just found this site. I was in G.S.T.S 76 we were peanuts then. one of the things I remember was getting there and seeing this mixture of lads from all sorts of backgrounds some of them didn't look the sort ur mum would like you hanging around with, but. Then you had to visit the sweenytod (barber) lined up we all looked the same. Like peanuts Another thing I remember was the tests theory one day practical the next you could retest one but if you failed one you were out the next morning think it was the theory you couldn't redo. Remember some of the lads crying in the night home sick. The morning muster and head count then in to dress clean dorm then out for inspection. Those that had failed or couldnt take it lined up with there bags in there sivy clothes. Then Brakfast plastic plates and cups the bacon so salty you dunked it in your tea before you could eat it.

[John Albert Evans]

I was there Jan/March 1957 Catering.
Dont remember being called Peanuts but my everlasting memory was the outside toilets with no doors just sitting there in the freezing cold no flushing just running water underneath like a stream and someone at the top end floating a paper boat down that was on fire.
Here is the class photo, Im third from the right in the center row. I've changed a bit since then.

Picture 001.jpg

John Albert Evans.

PS. Anyone recognise themself.

[Jim Brady]

John Albert,you would just think that was our class photo,that is Mr Barton our instructor.I left the month you went in 18/1/57. your Dis.Bk Number must be close to mine.R668251.Every class photo that you ever see is the same.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Tony Morcom]

we all looked the same. Like peanuts

Looks like we have an answer to the discussion in this thread back in January about the origin of the "peanut" mystery.

[John Albert Evans]

I left the month you went in 18/1/57

Jim I went in on the course straight after you, I remember now it was Mr Barton the instructor. I have the names of all the class written on the photo I can read all but two of them. I'll have to find it again to put them on line, I thought i had already done that in another thread but I cannt find it, or might have put it on another M N site. My Discharge Book No. is R668413 just a few behind yours. Small world isn't it

Cheers John

[Jim Brady]

Hi John,if you go to thread sea schools N.S.T.S Gravesend #42 thats my class photo,as I say every one you see it looks like your class.On mine I am middle row on the left end.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Albert Evans]

Hello Jim,
Your dead right the two photographs could be like identykits of each other.
Since my photo was taken I've never met any of the others again.
I wonder if any of them recognises themselves from my picture.

John

[happy daze john in oz]

I doubt it but from your other post they may recognise your burnt a***e

[John Albert Evans]

Sorry oz i know its a bit eraly here but i dont get that one.??

JAE

Ah got it now i see what you meant LOL.

John