Gravesend school - 1952 then P&O Strathnaver to Oz

[John Green]

Hello everyone,

My first. Anyone attend Gravesend in 1952 ? I knew a Barry Lepley of Canvey we served together on the Strathnaver. Since spoken to Barry who is still alive and kicking. From P&O I joined General Steam operating from Tower Bridge to the continent on a coaster called Cormorant. I remember also the Philomena.

Anyone remember the Royal Daffodil a cross channel ferry operating from Gravesend - another ship I served on.

At Gravesend, we, the cadets were living on bread and margarine and jam and cocoa and were familiar with the PO's walking out of the gates with sides of bacon on their shoulders while the rest of us struggled with malnutrition. My parents were paying for this !

What a sight Tilbury used to be. Ocean liners from end to end. Lit up at night. Himalaya, Orcades, the Strath boats, Andes and so on. Happy, happy days.

[gray_marian]

#1, Welcome aboard John, sure you will find lots on here to inform and entertain. Look
forward to reading any memories and thoughts you wish to share Marian

[Rodney Mills]

Hey John,

Welcome to the site. I was a year behind you,30/11/53 - 15/1/54. I agree about the food, or lack of same. The rumor was that if you weighed less when your time was up, you would have to stay extra time....Lots of nervous laughter at it at and "Nah! that's a crock. " But nothing was ever left on the plate, just in case.

The worst part was unlike the army you could leave when ever you liked, but it was suck-it-up and stick-it-out. I hated it, but glad I did, it altered my life and for the good.

I was in catering by the way.

Again welcome aboard, Rodney