Vindicatrix

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
A mate sent me an e-mail yesterday to remind me that on the 4th April 65 years ago we both entered the portals of the Vindi, it brought back many memories, including today 65 years ago packing my suitcase with the few clothes I possessed ready for the train in Swansea in the morning, what memories of farewells as if I was going overseas to some strange land, well I was; England, never having been there before. The fear and excitement came back of marching from the station into the camp, going aboard the old ship, having a mug of cocoa and a slice of bread and dripping shoved at you, one of the old hands ate it not me I was in to much of a daze, But what a marvelous three months followed, a part of my life I will forever cherish.
Cheers Des

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[Peter F Chard]

For the information of all the Vindi boys who follow this site the following was posted in the New Zealand Herald death notices just a few days ago :-
" CRANWELL, Peter.
Passed away on 22 - 3 - 2014. Ex British MN Vindi boy ( 1959 ) - crossed the bar last Saturday. Will be sadly missed by his shipmates from the Auckland Vindicatrix Association. Bon Voyage Peter. "

[happy daze john in oz]

Hi All.
A mate sent me an e-mail yesterday to remind me that on the 4th April 65 years ago we both entered the portals of the Vindi, it brought back many memories, including today 65 years ago packing my suitcase with the few clothes I possessed ready for the train in Swansea in the morning, what memories of farewells as if I was going overseas to some strange land, well I was; England, never having been there before. The fear and excitement came back of marching from the station into the camp, going aboard the old ship, having a mug of cocoa and a slice of bread and dripping shoved at you, one of the old hands ate it not me I was in to much of a daze, But what a marvelous three months followed, a part of my life I will forever cherish.
Cheers Des

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I have heard thta drinking the cocoa has a bad effect on you later in life!

[Captain Kong]

Quite Right John,
That Bromide they put into the Cocoa has just started to work 62 years later,.
I always thought it was a joke but now I know it wasnt .
I am now cursing that Vindi diet. I wonder if I can sue the Shipping Federation for sending me there to be `medicated`.
Cheers
Brian.

[happy daze john in oz]

Dripping on the bread, I wonder where that got used by some???

[Colin Hawken]

I was there at the same time as you Des. Don't think we got to know each other. I was Deck I believe you were Catering?

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HI Colin.
I was deck same as you, and something I only found out last year was that my brother was at the Vindi the same dates as me but in 45. On lifeboat sailing practice one boy made a hash of bringing the sail down and old Banbury told him to get off, so the bloke stepped out into the water, we all killed ourselves laughing. Did you hear abut it? I was in touch with Victor Stanley but he crossed the bar a few years ago, but one of the blokes I was mates with I have been in touch with for two years. I also remember Roy Derham who was there as a steward, he started the Vindi association up, couldn't miss him had the blackest eyebrows I've ever seen.
Cheers Des

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[Colin Hawken]

Roy Derham is a member of our local Vindi association here in Southampton.

[Rob Hollis]

Quite Right John,
That Bromide they put into the Cocoa has just started to work 62 years later,.
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Hi Brian, I suppose ye would have to bring a bevvy of thon South Sea Belles you were with recently to verify your claim???