HMS Conway

Towards the end of my time at school the headmaster asked if anyone wanted to try for a scholarship to ‘HMS Conway’. www.hmsconway.org This would require a weekend away at HMS Conway’s shore based establishment, in North Wales, for interviews and an examinations. My parents agreed, and some weeks later I travelled by train to North Wales.
It was some months before the results of the weekend examinations were made known to the applicants. I was very surprised to be offered a part scholarship and to be told that a place had been reserved for me to commence training in September of 1960. I was to be trained as a Merchant Navy deck officer.
Training at HMS Conway was a six term course, spread over two years. We lived in ‘huts’ (similar to a barrack) of twenty cadets to a hut. Discipline was strict and Cadet Captains were responsible for the day to day running of the base. Ex naval officers taught marine related subjects and civilian teachers taught the UK’s standard educational curriculum for our age.
We were expected to pass the UK’s Department of Educational examinations as well as the nationally recognised internal examinations, which would entitle those who passed to a twelve month reduction as a seagoing deck cadet (apprentice). At that time the standard apprenticeship was four years. With a full ‘Conway’ leaving certificate a ‘Conway’ cadet was only required to serve three years as an apprentice, after which he could sit for his Second Mate Foreign Going examination to become a certified watch-keeping officer.
At the end of two years, with a First Class Leaving Certificate, I approached and was accepted by British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd. www.biship.com
A UK based company with over 100 years of trading around the Middle East, the Far East and East Africa. I couldn’t have been happier – I was to be paid to see the world!