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Date Posted: 12:08:39 12/29/02 Sun
Author: William Preston
Subject: Parkstone Sea Training School
In reply to: adrian (paddy) brown. 81 johnston house. 's message, "Re: Watts Naval Training School" on 14:21:46 12/10/02 Tue

I was at PSTS for a while, leaving in about 1960/61. I never really settled, and was finally sent to an Approved School. I started out in LRCH, then was moved to another house, and for the life of me I can't remember which one. I went to the annual reunion last year, the first time I have ever been back. It was most eerie standing on the parade ground looking around. Externally little has changed, and it was almost as if I'd never been away. What did strike me was how small the parade ground was. I suppose as a child it looked larger! I showed my wife around, and went round the back of the dining room to where the gym was and was looking at the mames and numbers carved in the bricks, and was surprised to see it, yes, there it was, as clear as the day I did it, Preston 181, neatly carved in the brickwork. I had forgotten doing it, but now have vague recollections of other boys taking great delight telling me of the trouble I'd be in if Jimmy saw it. It's a simple thing, but seeing my name carved there laid to rest a lot of ghosts in my life. I've always been a bit of a wanderer, without roots, but seeing my name there carved in the brick meant I had belonged somewhere, and I had the tangible evidence to show for it. If they ever demolish that building, I want that brick!!

Bill Preston

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