Laurie Barnett
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I was at Dover in 1964, Falcon Class,
with, I can see, John Bonar, Jon Usher, Roger Emmins and Malcolm Bourgaize
(who's now a long way from Jersey). I'm in the class photograph, front
row, second from right.
I've only just found this website, purely by chance while looking at some
old ships' photographs, and missed the September reunion by one month!
Sorry not to have been with you all.
Career: 5 years at sea with New Zealand Shipping Co, Port Line, United
Baltic Corporation and finally Trinity House. I had a wonderful time, but
after 5 years I realised I didn't want to make the sea my career and of
course so much was happening back in the UK (it was the late 60s
remember).
I trained as a carpenter and worked in the construction industry for some
20 years and then went to university in order to qualify as a chartered
building surveyor. I'm now a construction manager with a large property
company.
Amazing how your life develops and 40 years later you find yourself doing
something that you would never have imagined.
I enjoyed being at the school and have happy memories of the boys and the
staff, even running up military hill. It must have been like being at an
approved school, but I enjoyed most of it - very character building I'm
sure!
I have very fond memories of my time at sea, even being seasick and having
to scrub the heads out (probably in the best place). I was surprised at
the menial tasks we had to do as deck boys as I fondly imagined it would
be all steering, boatwork, cargo handling, ropework and lazing about in
the sun getting a great tan. No one at the school told us about the
peggying, cleaning the bogs, holystoning, washing paintwork, 12-4 watch,
cleaning brass and how to lash down deck cargo that had broken loose in a
force 8 or 9 etc etc. I loved it all, even the seasickness.
It was amazing the first time I went through the Panama Canal; saw the
lights of Wellington at midnight after a month at sea; Tahiti; NZ; first
time coming home and getting the channels, and being paid for the
pleasure.
We were very lucky to be able to go to sea while Britian still had a large
MN and before most ships were flagged out. It's hard to believe now,
leaving school at 16 and six months later on my way to New Zealand, what
an incredible adventure while my school friends were swotting for their O
levels. I still miss it, the travelling to exotic places, great mates,
fantastic adventures and I wouldn't have missed the experience for the
world. I feel we have had the benefit of something most lads never
experience and I like to think it did us a lot of good.
If anyone knows me feel free to send an email.
Best wishes to all ex-PWSTS lads.
Laurie
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