A big hello from Vienna, Austria.

[Nela Soldatov Jones]

Hi guys!
my husband (who is now 67) would like to find someone who was at Gravesend Seaschool for 9 months in 1962. (He tried once somewhere online, and now does not want to try any more, so I am trying on his behalf). He seems to doubt he would find anyone, but I am giving it another go. He does not remember any names, but I have the following info. Please if you were on any of these and you remember Joe, or Jonah, or Malcolm Crossley Jones, who was 15-16 at the time, please get in touch with me:
- 9 months of sea school in Gravesend spring/summer 1962.
- On 11.Nov.1962 took part in the Cenotaph parade.
- First ship he went on was "Stirling Castle", a trip to South Africa, 6 weeks and 2 weeks back. So first ship around December 1962. He did this trip 3 times.
- Around June 1963 joined the ship "The Franconia" for a 6 months trip to New York. So all together till about May 1964.
Anyone out there? Ring any bells? Any photos from that time or ship, or Gravesend Seaschool photos from that time?
It would be greatly appreciated, I am sure he would love to see something of that era, especially find someone online from that era (or at least a son or daughter...).
He has unfortunately forgotten his number or any ID number, or such.
We live in Vienna, he has just retired, and I am still working. He spends a lot of time online... mainly reading the UK news ...

Thanks in advance!
Nela Soldatov-Jones

[Captain Kong]

Hi Nela,
Here are three photos of the STIRLING CASTLE, and two of the FRANCONIA.
I hope he likes them
A few guys on here sailed on the Union Castle Line. and a few went to the Gravesend Sea school.
Cheers
Brian.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hello and welcome. K.

[Jim Brady]

Hello Nela,9 months at Gravesend training as a catering boy seems a very long time,I'm not saying it did'nt happen but it was only 6 weeks when I was there.I in fact only did 5 weeks as I went home for one week at Christmas.Good luck with your search.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Captain Kong]

Hi Jim
6 weeks in Gravesend probably felt like 9 momths.
Cheers
Brian

[Keith at Tregenna]

Will do all pos to help. K

[John Callon]

Hi Jim
6 weeks in Gravesend probably felt like 9 momths.
Cheers
Brian

More like 9 years Brian.
Regards
John

[Keith at Tregenna]

Will do all pos to help. K

May not be for a few days.

K.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Nela as you can see the boys are ready to help but will need a bit of time. I do hope you will not be offended if this forum wanders off course, as it inevitably will, because that is what old seamen tend to do, even if we don't mean to. Also the language and posts may get a bit ripe and ribald, although the lads will try and respect that you are of the gentler sex, again please do not be offended and if you are, then chide us accordingly and we will aim to tone it down. Alas this site is crewed by many old retrobates (myself included) and we tend to answer the previous latest post, sometimes not always intelligently and maybe not on the subject of the post, so bear with us and your enquiry may yet bear fruit but perhaps not by a direct route, because our deviation from the set course triggers a memory that the true course doesn't, but we may reach the intended port of your initial enquiry with an answer.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Nearest: I WILL GET TO AN APOLOGY, ACCEPT. THANKS. K.