Time for a special appeal to anyone who can help us trace more former trainees from the Gravesend Sea School. Many will have obviously ‘crossed the bar’ because the school was founded as far back as 1918. But there are still thousands of ex-trainees who doubtless consider they owe a debt of gratitude to the old school for preparing them not only for an adventurous life at sea but for guiding them from youth to manhood.  It is now four years since the GSS/C Association was launched by the founder General Secretary Colin Titcombe and in spite of excellent efforts made by him and the present Gen. Sec. John Meadowcroft the membership is still below what we would have hoped. So we would ask anyone reading this to write to their local newspapers or offer any alternative ideas to track down former trainees and build up our membership before the last of us answers the final roll call. An excellent chronicle of the history of the Gravesend Sea School can be found in the hardback book School for Seamen, written by Roy Derham MBE who diligently researched the records held by the Public Records Office and at the School. Much was unfortunately discarded by those with no sense of history when the School closed its doors in 1996, but in spite of limited time and access to these records, Roy put together a valuable and concise history for posterity A number of copies of this book are still available and would be treasured not only by former Trainees but by families searching for links with relatives who once attended this school. An ideal birthday present  for a relative who survived the experience. Copies can at the moment still be obtained direct from the author:    R. C. Derham MBE 8DelmeDrive Wallington Fareham Hants PO16 8SQ Fax: +44 (0)1329 280982 £21.95 UK delivery £27.00 Overseas, by airmail.

Thank you

Gordon Tumber