Bonding over the years through their shared experience of training on the British built TS Vindicatrix ship, reunions have been held since 2001 in New Zealand and Australian states.
‘This year we, the WA branch, are hosting the reunion, and sad to say it will probably be the last, due in fact that the membership is in decline because of the ageing and passing of the members,’ secretary John Davis said.
‘There will be 54 attendees this year, with the members coming from as far as North Queensland, New Zealand, Tasmania, NSW and South Australia.
‘Our reunion takes place on Thursday, October 23, which is traditionally known as the meet and greet night, and the following day (there is) a tour of the Maritime Museum in Fremantle, and a tour of the Woodman Point Quarantine Station.
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READ NOW‘This is then followed by our formal function in the evening back at the Yacht Club.’
Mr Davis said the former sailing ship was moored at Gloucester Docks from 1939 to 1966 to provide a base for training boys as deck hands and stewards for the merchant navy.
‘We believe something in the region of 70,000 boys passed through the Sharpness establishment; so far we have found close on 5000,’ he said.