Matthew Horton

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I joined PWSTS Dover in January 1975, a few weeks after the rest of the class. I recall being met at the rail station by two of the class and being marched up to the school. Having had my hair cut before leaving home, for my days in PWSTS, it was a surprise to be told I required it cut again! On hearing that the Barbour came every three weeks, I ask them just to cut the lot off.

The Class included Duncan Pascoe, Nigel Skaife, Kenny Sharp, Paddy Brown, Chris Swift, Anthony Spencer, and Frank Wren.

After leaving PWSTS I joined B.P Tankers as engine room boy, after a few years I was changed to the deck as a G.P Rating. I left B.P Tankers in 1979 and joined B.P Exploration in the North Sea onboard the Semi submersible Sea Conquest as a marine roustabout, I stayed with B.P Exploration until being made redundant in 1992 at that time working as crane driver.

I joined Seacat Scotland which was a new fast ferry company working out of Stranraer to Belfast. I stayed with Seacat Scotland until 2002 leaving as Chief Officer. I now work for Sea containers as Chief Officer doing mainly dry docks and training.

In the summer of 2004 I was asked to work with Hoverspeed in Dover just for a few months, the first time back there since 1975, and of course I went and had a look at the old school. Fond memories still have the scars on my legs from when we used to play football against the boys from the borstal.

I am married to Joanne and live in Prestwick, Scotland where we are expecting our first baby. I have two daughters from a previous marriage Katie aged 24, and Lindsay aged 23.