NSTC Gravesend 1977

Thanks Des, I'll give it a try.

Entered 30-11-53- 15-1-54, Catering.

I had no fond memories of aptly named Gravesend Sea Training school. Glad to get out of there. The school was divided into qulliqs. Liverpool. Birmingham, Glasgo etc. the only city that never ganged up was Londoners of where I was from, who the others disliked on principle. I was bloody glad to get out of there to the relative peace and tranquility of the sea. I stayed in until I was almost 21. Coming ashore made me eligible for the draft and national service. So I emigrated first to Canada, then to the States, where I have enjoyed a wonderful life with personal success beyond my wildest dreams.

I had tremendous training in cooking with Union-Castle Line, that put me years ahead of culinary competition in the USA and that with attending business school put me years ahead of culinary competition. So, I will always be grateful to the Merch, but I'll take a pass on Gravesend.

Cheers, Rodney

Rodders, you missed the best , the good old 'VINDI'.
I am sure like all of us you would have very fond memories of time there.
Well most of us do!!!

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Originally Posted by Andrew Lock

Hi,
I was just wondering if there is anyone who was at Gravesend from around Oct1977 to Feb1978 ? I was in X class and in the Dorm top floor furthest end from admin.

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Hi there, I was there from 0ct 77 to 22nd Dec 77, they let us go a week early. My name is Clive Bay and the only other guy's name I can remember is Stuart Mackenzie. I remember mad Jack who use to teach us GSK but other than that I can't recall any other names. I got my first ship on Feb 10th 1978, it was a Shaw Savill ship called the Deseado which I joined in Newhaven and fromthere we set of for Brazil, absolutely loved it.

Hi Clive.
Your post brought up a couple of coincidences for me, I used to back a horse called Deseado which won me a little beer money. And we have a friend who works in our local R.S.L who comes from Cape Town and she and her family are going there for Xmas to visit family. shortly.
Cheers Des

Yep reall fond memories of my time at vindi hard but great mates wish I could catch up with them again

Hi Michael
Did you ever get to the Vindi get together s in Sydney? used to be around 30 there. Once a year we used to join with the Aus seamen at the Flemington Markets. Whereabouts in Sydney are you.
Des

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Originally Posted by Des Taff Jenkins

Hi Michael
Did you ever get to the Vindi get together s in Sydney? used to be around 30 there. Once a year we used to join with the Aus seamen at the Flemington Markets. Whereabouts in Sydney are you.
Des

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Hi Des no never got together at the markets and lm out near penrith