'Vindi Boys' to reunite and recall training days

Between 1939 and 1967 more than 70,000 young British men trained on the TS Vindicatrix to become merchant seamen and Napier man Alex Bailey is hoping to seek some of them out.

A long-time member of the Vindicatrix Association he is aware of 17 training shipmates in Hawke's Bay but figures there are more as he begins to prepare for the next reunion which will take place in Napier in November.

"I think there are a lot of Vindi boys out there who have not owned up to be Vindi boys. If they are out there we'd like to hear from them and get them along," Mr Bailey said. The last time a Vindi Boys' reunion was held in Napier was 2004, and attracted about 240 members. Mr Bailey is hoping the November gathering will also get a good number.

As it was nine years ago, he is expecting a large contingent to pop over from Australia for the three-day event.

The TS Vindicatrix, which was based at Sharpness in Gloucestershire and run by the British Shipping Federation, was used for seamanship and catering courses.

Some of the trainees joined up at just 14, and several went to war serving for the merchant navy. As Mr Bailey said, some youngsters also lost their lives.

For the young men who enlisted to train it was tough going.

One Vindi boy remarked in an article that it was "a hell-hole."

"They were cruel, the food was lousy and conditions were bad but it made men of us and I don't think anyone who went through it would ever regret it."

The NZ-Australia Vindicatrix reunions have been staged annually since 2000.

Vindicatrix veterans who want to attend the reunion are asked to contact Mr Bailey via his email address: alypom@clear.net.nz