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This site was launched in September 2002
Have changed to Broadband. My email address is now gordontumber4@aol.com Original Guest Book Second Guest Book
Please scroll down to read Home Page announcements before clicking ENTER HERE. Thank you ![]() GSS/C (Gravesend) Blazer Badge Joe Barnett (81) posts photos of ships he served on back in the 1940's
Three excellent sites to visit for details of Raymond Steed, Galley Boy, who is the youngest recorded WW2 service death. Raymond was 14 years and 207 days old when his ship the Empire Mons hit a mine on 26th April, 1943 http://www.mowbars.plus.com/History/Steed%20RV.html http://www.mercantilemarine.org/showthread.php?t=931&highlight=steed http://www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Pdf/Raymond%20V-1.pdf ![]()
Reg Golden sent in this Class Photo taken around March 1952. Reg is 4th from left in 2nd row. ![]()
Barrie Smith writes: ![]()
Donald Jones sent in this photo. His name was later changed to Don Williamson. He writes: "Someone once said that "Old age is the most wonderful time of ones life" what a lot of balony. God give me a chance to be that little 17 year old erk (Front Row third from right) Donald Jones, and you would see happiness personified. Alas we only get one shot eh? Were we lucky or what !!. Weep for the lads who are lost for a life these days. They do not know how unlucky they are" And so say all of us!! Don would love to her from anyone who remembers him. His email address is : ![]()
Russ Bundy writes
Visit this brilliant site that includes web pages from John Townsend's site. John, an ex Gravesend Sea School boy , sadly crossed the bar in Decmber 2006
Joe Barnett records a great site to visit for news of the RMS RANGITIKI. Log on to ![]()
The Gravesend Sea School was established in 1918 shortly after the end of WW1 when an expanding Merchant Navy urgently needed trained seamen. It was housed in what was formerly a Seamen's Home originally built in 1886 and was to provide short-term but intensive training for youths between the ages of 16 and 17. It was established to accommodate 150 boys at any given time and the first recorded intake was on Thursday 19th September 1918. Additional training was provided on the ex-HMPS Triton; a beautiful little ex-naval craft moored off Gravesend. A concise history of the School can be found in the book "School for Seamen" written by Roy Derham MBE who trained for a seafaring career on the Vindicatrix. Copies are still available from jdmeadowcroft@tiscali.co.uk. John is General Secretary of the Gravesend Sea School/College Association which was formed four years ago by popular request from former Instructors and Old Boys.When war with Germany seemed imminent in early 1939, the School was evacuated for safety reasons to the Vindicatrix, berthed at Sharpness for that purpose. Gravesend was too close for comfort to London's extensive docklands; a prime target for German bombers. At the end of the war the School opened up again and the Vindicatrix was also kept open for training to replace the 30,000 seamen who lost their lives during WW2.In 1967 the old School ceased to function for training purposes and was replaced by a brand new building offering far superior facilities, but Old Boys still remember with pride and affection their training at the old establishment.Sadly the old building has suffered the fate of progress. and all that remains of its existence is a brass plaque on the wall surrounding flats that have taken its place.But the memories will live on for some time yet in the minds of former trainees. For anyone interested, the Gravesend Sea School/Association is also open to Associate Membership. The annual subscription is £5 ( £8 for overseas members ) and a newsletter is produced four times a year which carries stories and articles from members of all ages. An application form can be downloaded at ![]()
Plaque reads: Gravesend Sea School 1918 - 1967 Former Sailors Home built 1886 (Straw House) During this time over one third of British Merchant NavySeamen were trained at Gravesend. Gravesend has an ancient maritime history and was well located to serve the shipping trade to the world and one of Britain's greatest ports. The school's origin lay in the demand for seafarers at the end of the First World War to support the increasing Merchant Fleet and was a unique experience in obtaining "boys of good character" for the sea with no exact counterpart in the world.
On Thursday 16th February 2006 the Commemorative Plaque was unveiled on the site of what was once the Gravesend Sea School. GSS/C Association. Click here forPlaque Dedication Photo Gallery.
GSS REMEMBERED Page 4 of Class Photos now online. Click here
Updates: Friday 3rd June 2009 on Page 5 class photos.
Were you a crew member of the ORIANA ? Visit this excellent site produced by
Mike Fruin , a GSS Old Boy would like to get in contact with other GSS Old Boys living in Tasmania. Mike can be contacted by email at
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