Hi and a Happy New Year from Brisbane Australia. Have just surfed onto your website, and noted info on Parkstone Sea Training School, though little other information. I count myself lucky in being an inmate from 1955-57, I think it was Broughton House, prior to entering HMS Ganges and a great life in the RN. Would be interested in any contacts or info on others who may have been there during this time. Regards Roger Bower

NB: when you have registered on the forum have a look at the Old boys section on the photo pages to view some photos of Roger.    admin

Congratulations! Roger Wilding has just passed me your web link on PSTS. It looks like you've started a much needed site. Apart from memories I regret I have no material to add to the site but will continue to visit and monitor your progress. Well done. All best wishes, Michael Flaherty Now living in New Zealand 

I would like to inform you I only just found your web site. I got quite a shock when I saw the picture of the parade ground. I am an Ex PSTS boy and my No. is LRCH 187  I joined the R.N. in 1959.  My name is Christopher Robin Gouldthorpe. I have now lived in Perth, Western Australia for 20 years. You may be interested in that a friend of mine in the U.K. sent me a DVD of PSTS. It's only black and white and has no sound but has sub titles. You may like this for your records. I will only make this short initially until we have established contact.

my house and number was Arranmore 39 under Mr Butcher during September 52 through to August 56. I now live in New Zealand and will jot down a few lines for the site soon...cheers for the e mail   Roger (Titch) Wilding.

I Saw Roger Bower's name on your 'right hand welcome' page and thought it would be really nice to make contact again. Don't know if he'll remember me after 50 years, I'm on the Broughton House group photo (1958), back row, far left. Roger (or 'Drac', as he was known,) is in the centre of the shot, directly behind Richard Eastwood (Goble). Roger and I were good friends at Parkstone, and I'd be delighted to hear from him. Regards Bill East   

Les Bowyer

Hi ! I was in Lady Russell-Cotes House in the 1950s Remember me? ( OMO ) white leggs.

Hi there, just stumbled upon your site and noticed there is a reunion on 6th Sept. My wife and I were down in Poole yesterday 31st Aug I was showing her around a few of my old haunts and on the way home I drove past the old place ,(a few memories came flooding back.) I suppose that's why I scanned the web and found this site. It just maybe possible that we could get down for the reunion. Interested to see the members list.

Thanks for making this sight available to all. some great memories here.  If you go to the Friends United website, register (its free) and then go to the school reunion page you will find a site for Parkstone. I checked there yesterday and 93 old boys had registered. About 19 photos there too, some are on this site and some are not. I found one of me taken on the day the school closed just before we went to catch the train for the last time. Keep smiling.

I fondly remember my days at Parkstone as some of the best days of my life. I still have the scar where I cut my thumb in woodwork and because of that class I make my own furniture. I remember with Mr Busby doing boat repair in the winter and sailing in the summer.  Click to read more

I am amazed out of the blue I thought about P.S.T.S and I found your site, its very eerie to see the old school and some of the names, 1 in particular flashed at me Ronnie le Blanc we were I guess close buddies at the time, I would like very much to hear from him and find out how he got on .It would be great to hear from Blonky.  

Philip Morrell

Excellent website. Does anybody have any photos/memories of the Max Bygraves visit to PSTS and the Christmas ITV Special where we danced the hornpipe? Regards Philip Morrell 

Wonderful to see this site long may it prosper. More photographs of P.S.T.S (prisoners sentenced to slavery - only joking) on the schools site "Friends Reunited" Ronald Jenkins -  House. 

In all my life since being at Parkstone I have never been in contact, it would be interesting to catch up.

My house number was 130. I was in the school band as a drummer under Mr.Challis. Mr. luff was our housemaster. Then Mr. Davies took over. I have many memories of PSTS (please send ten shillings)  

I retire in five weeks and have purchased a computer. My grandson helped me set it all up and did a search for Parkstone to show me how it worked. It was good to see information on Parkstone. I have scanned in some of my old photos, all I need to do now is learn how to send them. When I left Parkstone I Joined the Merchant Navy for about six years. I then settled down in Suffolk / Norfolk.

After leaving PSTS I became an engineer but I never completed the training, I spent my life as a Psychiatric Nurse and worked offshore in the oil industry until early 1990, I live in Aberdeen Scotland now and I am retired. In all the years after I left PSTS I have not been in touch with anyone I knew from there. I often wondered how many of them did after we all left.

I remember a boy called Buster Harvey who was in Johnston house. He left around 1955. He joined the merchant navy and fell for a girl in Australia. When the ship sailed, buster dived overboard, even though he was an excellent swimmer, nothing was ever heard about him again. I remember Mrs Harrington being particularly upset as he was one of the special ones.

I had joined PSTS from primary school in 1952. What a shock to my young mind. I joined Johnston house with the Harringtons as house parents.  The reason I joined was that my brother was at Parkstone already, and in JH. This did help the home sickness a little, but I eventually succumbed and did a bunk. The upshot of that was my brother got six of the best for giving me the train fare, and I had stoppage of leave for a month. My mother sent us small parcels, usually with a shilling hidden in the wrapper of a bar of chocolate. I also had a visit from mum every so often and along with my brother we would get leave until eight o'clock. WE usually went to Bournemouth and had tea in Lyons cafe or went to the pictures. In those days one shilling and three pence, our weekly pay, did not go very far, but did enable us to buy sweets with coupons at the shop at the bottom of the hill. Bandy wanted me to play a french horn, but I opted for the gymnastic team run by Mr Harrington. Believe it or not, I can still do a handspring. I left PSTS at Christmas 1956 and joined HMS Fisgard in Jan 1957. Not being a good scholar, I eventually dipped out at Collingwood, and straight away rejoined as an REM in square rig. Ater a carrier, Centaur, and various postings, I joined the submarine service. I am now retired and living in Norfolk with my wife and two Jack russel dogs. Life has been good and continues to be so.

I have just found the Website. Very impressed. I Joined PSTS 1954, initially found it very daunting, however, settled down and then enjoyed it. Joined the RN in 1957, completed 33 years. Settled down in Gosport (Married 43 years) Two sons (one living in Brisbane, Aus and the other in the Redcar area) three granddaughters and one grandson. Have attended the re-unions over the years. Would be great to see some new faces turn up.

I have just found your Web page and would like to congratulate all concerned. I had a long walk down memory lane, remembering long lost shipmates and times spent on Constitution Hill. I had the privilege to be in LRCH under the guidance of George & Mary Moore from 1954 to entry into RN in 1957, they gave me as much love and comfort that I would have received from a mother.  They shaped my life and taught me the true ways of friendship and comradeship, something that would come into force during my time in Submarines.

Like most boys I was homesick as an 11 year old kid, but soon knuckled down to life in a blue suit. I joined the band as a cornet player which I really enjoyed. I was in Arranmore house, Mr Butcher being the housemaster. I excelled at athletics and won the victor ladorum shield , tying with a lad from LRCH. I was from Brighton and was lucky enough to pal up with a fellow Brightonian, Graham Snell.

I Joined the RN in Dec 1959 as a radio mechanic and was a CPO for 12 years until 1983. Now retired from being a signalman on network rail, living in Newcastle area. I enjoyed my time at PSTS which gave me a good grounding for the RN. Met an ex PSTS lad on holiday in Majorca in a bar. we get everywhere don't we.

Started 6th March 1963, left 28th July 1964 (Close Down) I was a Fire Officer for the Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service. I now live in Cooroibah, Queensland, Australia, approx 1 1/2 hours north of Brisbane.

I was in the band, the cymbal player, on that very last day when the school closed. When I arrived in March 1963, I assumed that I would be at Parkstone until I was old enough to join my mate Dave Roberts on the Union Castle Line. But alas, it was not to be and July 1964 was a very sad day for me. The culture and discipline at Parkstone put me in very good stead during my career in the Fire Service where I was fortunate enough to rise to the rank of Assistant Divisional Officer, retiring March 31st 2007. We moved to Australia in July 2007. Frank has put a group photo from Parkstone circa 1964 on the forum photo page.  Best regards. Mal Sawdy H29

I left just before the school closed as I signed up for the Royal Engineers Military Bank in August that year. I later changed my surname to Petchey for my stepfather who had brought me up since a babe in arms and for which I was eternally grateful.  It was my way of saying thanks to him. I served in the army till I was 19 and then left and joined the Essex & Southend Police Force. I later left the Police and worked at Ford at Dagenham where I bumped into another old PSTS boy, Ellis. I still remember Cmdr Luxton as he had a young daughter who another old boy, Bonwell, and myself went to see at Barkingside a while after the school closed and enjoyed the use of the swimming pool with her. I also used to look forward to matrons tea parties on a Sunday evening which I was lucky to get invited to quite regularly. Regards Les Petchey

When I first went there the house officer was Mr Frost and Miss Spencer was the matron. Later on Bert Busby took command upon Mr Frosts' retirement. I can't say I enjoyed my time there, which put me off from joining the RN. I left in 1954 and went to Civvy' street until National Service I did 3 years in the Royal Signals, 2 years plus in Cyprus. (I did the extra year for the extra 30 bob) Upon demob I did a few trips in the Merchant Navy, then 'swallowed the anchor' and came ashore to get married. I ended up working as contracts Assistant manager for a highway maintenance company. I have 4 children aged from 46-35 and 6 grandchildren. Now retired I spend my time doing what I want and amateur radio, I learnt morse at Parkstone under Mr Pointer.
Best regards...cheers for now. John Dennis ex-Howard 36.

Johnston House

I learned quite a lot of beneficial skills during my time at PSTS (1955 to 1959), particularly the Euphonium and later the Cornet under the direction of Bandmaster Joyce. Educationally speaking at PSTS, I was placed in the "Special Class" which was geared for passing the entrance exam for the RN Artificer Apprenticeship...which I later passed and joined in 1959. On reflection, I had also passed the aptitude test on the cornet for the Royal Marine Band Service, but Mr Joyce lost out to the Headmaster as to my future (I hardly had any say in the matter!) My subsequent training (again not by choice) was as an Aircraft Artificer in the RN. I remember Mr & Mrs Harrington very well (our housemaster/mistress), they were both kind and very considerate. Mr Harrington trained me very well in athletics (at 14 years old, I could run a mile in around 4mins 50secs) and swimming. I also remember Bert Busby, Capt Felton, Mr. Ford, "pop" Williams and many others. In the RN I was under training with Johnny Grantham (who later became a helicopter pilot) and I am very sorry to learn of his recent passing away. I could tell you more, but by way of an introduction, I trust this short note will suffice. (My younger brother Paul was also at PSTS and he will no doubt contact you soon - we use the same computer, so the e-mail address will be the same.)

My brother Paul joined PSTS in 1957 and like myself was placed in Johnston House, his number being 151. Interestingly, Paul particularly remembers the Max Bygraves Christmas Special (1957?), because he sang solo along with Max the popular song ‘White Christmas’. As I recall, the entire show was recorded in October of that year and put out on Christmas Day. Our entire family crowded around the small TV at home and we were astonished to see Paul and Max singing so professionally (Paul had a “squeaky” voice in those days). For myself, I played in the band while our specially selected “troop” danced the hornpipe. When Paul left PSTS he was a ‘Petty Officer Boy’, a promotion only awarded to a chosen few.

I left watts 1949,  The summer of 1951 Ii spent at Parkstone on my summer holiday, you will see by my memories I spent 6 months as commander Freemans' office boy before I  left Watts to go into the printing trade.    The call of the navy was too great joined the for two years later for 7 and 5.    I  have a couple of photos which I took at PST. I  don't know what house it was but Bert Busby wife is on the photo. 
Are there any old boys who moved from Watts to PST?? 

My younger brother and I were taken into DBH care in 1943.  WE were at Sawley Hall, Euston Hall and Badgeworth Court.  I was sent to WNTS January 1948.  My number was 222.  MY brother John and I were in the group that went from Watts to Parkstone in 1949.  My brothers number was 236.  We were both in Johnston House under the supervision of Mr Harrington.  For awhile we were both accommodated at Danecourt.  I left Parkstone to join the RN November 1951.  I spent 9 years in the RN and left as a Petty Officer.  I then trained as a MN Radio Officer and worked for Marconi Marine for a year.  I then joined the RNZN and retired as a Warrant Officer in 1977.

My wife and I have lived in Army Bay, Whangaparaoa, Auckland, New Zealand since 1974.

Recently I had a visit from Peter Champney who was PSTS at the same time.  Pete also served in the RN at the same time as myself and was also in the Communications Branch.

I joined Parkstone in 1955 and left in 1959 to join The Royal Navy. Since leaving Parkstone I have had no contact with anybody. I have just had my 65th birthday 23/03/44 found the site quite by chance. I  recognised a few names, just thought I would confirm I'm still alive finally had to stop playing sport.

I was solo cornet in the band and a bugler. My brother was Micheal nickname Frizt 

It was great to find a website for the old school and remember some names from the past. On Easter Monday I had reason to visit Poole General Hospital. Afterwards I couldn't resist the temptation to drive up the hill for a nosey at the old place. I drove straight in and parked in the middle of the parade ground, now the car park for the Poole and Bournemouth college of further education. I was lucky enough to find a guy going into Broughton house and persuaded him to let me in. It is now used for human biology and science studies. I was told that the houses need some expensive foundation work as they are beginning to slide down the hill. The whole area of the sin, school, sickbay, swimming pool and Captains house is a very smart residential estate. The church is the music school.

Its good to see a dedicated web site for PSTS. I joined Parkstone on September 3rd 1957 completely on my own free will as a 6 year old whilst in Woodford Garden City Home  I was taken to see the Royal Tournament at Earls Court and was captivated by the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition from that day I wanted to join the Royal Navy and take part .

I have some very happy memories of Parkstone especially Mr & Mrs Harrington who were I think the best house parents at the school .Mr Harrington had a great influence on my navel career taking the path of a Physical Training Insructor ,he tought me the basics of boxing , gymnastics , athletics and even how to lay out a running track .I remember the birthday scoff nights in the kitchen Mrs Harrington put on much better than the marmite sandwiches.

I joined the Royal Navy on September 3rd 1957 just 25 days after my 15th birthday and went to HMS St Vincent in October 1957 I joined the battle class destroyer HMS Solebay as a Junior Seaman gunner after our work up at Portland we staemed up to Iceland for six weeks looking after the British fishing fleet over the next 2 years the Solebay went from Iceland ,The med, middle east , far east, Australia before returning to the UK in the spring of 1960. It was whilst at anchor in Trincomalee during a monsoon I had a message sent to me from a ex  Johnston House head boy Harrison (cant remember his first name) who was serving on the Commandering Chiefs Far East Fleet Yacht that Mr Harrington had died suddenly .When the Solebay arrived back into Portsmouth I paid a visit to the school and had a wonderful evening reminiscing  with Mrs Harrinton who was staying in the sickbay, that is the last time I saw Mrs Harrington.

At the  Royal Tournement of June 1961 I finally achieved my ambition and marched out with the Portsmouth Field Gun Crew to the field gun tune 'Hearts of Oak ' I did the same again in 1964.

During my 12 years in the navy I served on the Ark Royal, HMS Forth. HMS Dido and HMS Raleigh. Most of my career in the navy I spent as a Physical Training Instructor and flew home from Singapore in 1968 and left the navy.

I now live in Edinburgh with my wife Carol (ex wren) we have been married 44 years we have two daughters and one son we also have three grandaughters . I owned and operated a health & fitness club for 20 years plus a publishing company both being sold a few years ago. I now own and run a charity event organising company which organises the 'Walk for Scotland' and The Edinburgh Christmas Walk . My wife Carol and myself like to keep active and I am pleased to say we are both keeping very well and happy.

Hi there, I am an ex member of Parkstone Sea Training School.  I came from Dr. Barnardo's Home in Eastbourne in 1955 and left Parkstone Sea Training School in March 1958 to join the Royal Navy.  I went to HMS Ganges that same year I went to Arbroath to train as an Aircraft Mechanic.  I realised that this was going to take 4 years training before going to sea so I then changed my trade to become an Aircraft Handler and Firefighter.  I spent 12 months at Royal Navel Air Station near Helston in Cornwall training and went to sea on HMS Ark Royal. 

Living with my widowed Mother, four brothers and sister in the Constitution Hill area of Parkstone during the war I used to see the RCNS boys in town on parades and at the age of 6 yrs I decided that I wanted to join the school and then the RN. I even went into the school on my 9th year to ask to join. Back again at aged 11 and with my Mother's reluctant approval I was allowed to join WATTS. It was thought that I might run away home if I went to RCNS. I did not run away although I spent time every weekend afternoons at home when I moved from WATTS to PSTS, taking friends home to tea.

I have only fond memories of my time in Barnardo's homes and made some good friends. After 25 years in the RN and a happy and continuous working life, now widowed, I have a number of very good friends, spend time visiting them and family home and abroad and entertaining at home.

This year, with my new friend Prue, we spent 6 weeks in New Zealand touring the islands and stayed a few days with Alan Parker (ex WATTS and PSTS No 222) and his wife Elaine in Army Bay near Auckland. We had a fantastic time and they really looked after us showing us the sights in their area. Following that we went on our annual trip to stay with friend Bob (aka Percy) Webber ex WATTS and PSTS No 24 and his wife Molly in Spain.

If Norman Crook or Peter Smart reads this I would like to hear from them. Please contact via the forum

My wife Joyce and I (we met in 1960 whilst I was at Fisgard) now live in a quiet (untill we arrived) Lincolnshire village Morton near the market town of Bourne. We lived in Germany for a few years and have been in Lincolnshire since the end of 1972. We are now semi-retired, but our small business www.smallscale.co.uk  is making dolls houses and dolls house miniatures. I must say that I enjoyed my time at PSTS and soon after my  arrival I asked some of the older lads about the routine to join the band. You must speak to Mr. George I was told, and be sure to address him by his name, that's him over there. I did exactly that, but was told by Mr. George that his name was Mr. Joyce!!!  I joined the band as a 3rd cornet player and ended up on 1st cornet. I was in the band that played at the Max Bygraves Christmas show. I was also a member of the boxing team (the smallest) and remember Dinger Bell

Regards,Geoff L102 or was it 104? perhaps somebody knows

I arrived at RCNS in February of 1948 and stayed until June 1949  when I went to sea. I spent seven years at sea one year ashore then in 56-57 I was in London. My wife and I emigrated to Canada in 1957 we had three week old baby. I joined the military in Canada as the was no work. I Spent nine years in the Signal Corp. On leaving the military I started my own business's and more or less retired eventually. My hobbies were flying,  electronics, outdoors activities like hunting and fishing. I thank you for the privilege of being able to share these past experiences. I am going on 77 now and still in pretty good shape. Patrick