A Mrs M Marshall sent the following email to the Scarborough Maritime centre. It features some interesting information on possible orphans who were sent to Scarborough to go to sea.
"Hi. Thought you might find this interesting.
I am researching an Orphanage in Sheffield which was opened in 1863, on looking through the records I have come across several boys which on leaving the Orphanage were enrolled into the Graham Sea Training School.
Back in 1872 a Charles Roberts left the Orphanage and was put to sea at his request, he sailed on a ship called the Whittington, the Captain was called Purdy the ship was bound for Melbourne, (Lancaster Ship Owners Co) Did he enrolled with the Graham Sea Training School "Not Sure"
A Lawrence Clarkeson enrolled in 1936 into the GSTS and became Petty Officer sailed on the H.M.S. Amethyst do you have any records of this lad and one of my queries is was he onboard when the Amethyst made a daring escape after several months surrounded by Chinese Communists (Yangtze incident).
Eric Hill enrolled into the GSTS around 1924 and proceeded up the ranks for some 10 years he held various positions as a Naval Officer before in 1955 gaining the post of Boatswain on the Royal Yacht britannia, he was rewarded with Lieutenant Commander E.C. Hill M.V.O. R.N.
His other brothers:-
- Graham
- Cecil (Birkenhead training ship Conway )
- Leslie Maisie Graham in Scarborough ) All three went into the Merchant Navey
Cecil was lost at Sea in 1941.
Leslie received the M.B.E. at Buckingham Palace the official citation says "It was due to his courage, skill and leadership that 13 survivors were brought to safety. They spent 12 days at sea in an open boat after their ship had been torpedoed before they were picked up.
All the above through no fault of their own were placed into an Orphanage and I have to say what brave lads they became after such an experience."
