Training Ship Vindicatrix

[Captain Kong]

In March 1952 I got 15 shillings a week Dole money, Unemployment benefit.
Then they took ten shillings a week off me to pay for the uniforms and oil skins and seaboots, dungarees and a seabag. etc.
So had Five shillings a week spends for the mission, or the cinema in Berkeley that cost one shilling to go in.

[j.sabourn]

That’s got me thinking Brian, I never got any dole money at 15. Maybe the council took it for the grant they gave for fees and books. The only little cash I ever had was working after school be it marine school or ordinary school . Do you think it’s worth claiming now ? Or do you think I might get a bill for tax. ? Cheers JS

[John Arton]

Thank you, you have got a good memory remembering the Captains name I can just about remember my own.

Thanks for the memory... Peter

PS I do have my discharge detail now thank you.

I think the post has slipped from the Vindi to Gravesend John I also remember being on duty at the side door at night to let the lads back in from shore leave, kt

I was at the Vindi from Dec 1944-Feb 45 My number was and still is R 330936. Strangely enough I then enlisted in the Canadian Engineers Reserves for 30 Years reaching rank of Captain.

Brian Seward

ps, Have the MN numbers been changed as I see members who have a number in the 650000, surely not that many people served in MN in a decade???.

Brian
My father was captain on rescue guys in Campbell town from 1941 to 1945. The ones in his discharge book are, st. Places, samsonia, prudent. After the war ended he was in salvage with overseas towing and Blands in Gibraltar before going back into Blue Star line, where he had served his time as cadet, 3 rd and 2 be mate. He died in 1960 when he was master on the Australia Star, leaving Durban and was buried at sea.
Rgds
J.A.

[Brian Seward]

Looking at my Discharge book I see I was at Vindi from Dec4 /44 to Feb 6/45 App 12 weeks, We were in the Huts for 8 weeks and the last 4 on board the Vindi.. One had to keep your mouth shut in the bunks as Steam bugs abounded on board' Mail and parcels were tossed at you at the noon meal. I cannot recall what clothing was given except a Navy Blue sweater and at that time our pay was about 2/6d The Mission in Dursley gave out buns and tea along with a copy of the Gospel of St John, I still have that somewhere. And I recall three officer names Capt Duguid. 2nd Officer Poore and Lt Strange who walked with a limp having no toes I believe.
And yes we all had to go in the Boxing ring and get punched out or beat some poor kid.

Chjeers Brian Seward

[barryg]

Think it was there until the early 60s, I did catering on her June to August 1958.

[Mike Hall]

Barryg,
Snap I was there for the same dates,23/06/1958 to 01/08/58.
Mike

[James Urquhart]

Hi Raymond - can you recall when in 1957 you were on the Vindicatrix? My dad trained there sometime between March and May 1957. I wonder if you were there at the same time? His name was Alastair Urquhart, from Aberdeen.

[Rob Stafford]

Duguid was definitely the Captains name at the Vindi. I was his Tiger, but I got on the wrong side of him and he had me scrubbing his garbage pail for my last week there. He thought it was punishment but I didn't mind. I used to go to the galley and collect his meals and eat 'em myself. Yeah, he lived with is family in Berkeley I believe and his daughter was on the scene somewhere too. Not a bad sort...............if you were a sex-starved teenager.

[Rob Stafford]

Wasn't Agate the bloke who was rumoured to ride his bike around the deck on the full moon ? Then there was Popeye who used to blow his cheeks out like a balloon and go red in the face. He had no jaw-bone, so yep, he DID look like Popeye. Costello knew as much about catering as my crazy cat. He was only there because he liked young boys. The Chief Steward was there but nobody ever saw him. He used to lock himself in his office all day and hide, like Major Major in Catch 22. What a bloody madhouse and it was run by the loons

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes it sure was a mad house.
I recall one morning at 0400 hours the door of our hut burst open by one of the mad officers telling us it was time to get up.
We never did find out why, just another crazy day in the looney bin.
then the barber who came in to give us those wonderful haircuts, gay as they come with all the lads looking on as he cut the hair.

Looney bin yes, but we loved every minute of it.