Talk:Watts Naval School

I arrived with my younger brother Brian at Watts School in 1951. By this time it was solely for those children who were in need of care.

Having read the few articles as possible about the "School" when it was used solely for training children to become seaman, there appeared to be a number of years missing i.e. those years between 1951 and 1954 when the school closed down and some of the 300 children were "Transferred" to Doctor Barnardo's in Clacton. It has seemed virtually impossible to gather any information about those of us who were transferred to various Dr.Barnado's establishments throughout the U.K.

The discipline that has been outlined in those articles that I have read did not change dramatically when the school changed from a "Training School" into a "Barnardos care home" as there were still a very large number of boys looked after by very few people ,mainly ex Royal Navy personnel.

If anybody knows the whereabouts of "Willy or "Jap Smith" "Norman Banks" the 2 "Harris brothers" Steve Bandy" or any of the other kids that were at Watts School during the period 1951 until 1954 when the School was closed down or any kids from 1954 until 1955 whenI left Barnardo's for the last time it would be wonderful to get in touch with them again.

Perhaps this article will help!!

Roy (Tony) Webber

Inmate of the School in Bintree Lane!

webisan1@talktalk.net