In 1887 the Rev. Alfred Wardroper, who had been one of the very first 'Worcester' cadets in 1862, formed what eventually became known as the 'Association of Old Worcesters' and remained the Honorary Secretary for the next 27 years. This length of service has been followed by most of his successors as there have only been five to date with a recent Honorary Secretary in office from 1976 to 2002!
The majority of cadets joined the Association on first leaving the ship and even today there is a steady trickle of new members who slipped through the initial net! There are currently some 1118 names on the books of the Association (sadly some 377 lack an address) and every year contact is re-established with OWs who in some cases have been adrift for many years.All former cadets of the Incorparated Thames Nautical Training College H.M.S."Worcester" who served at least 6 terms up to it's closure in 1968 are eligible for membership.
The Association is managed by a Council who meet twice each year and several functions are held annually in London, Plymouth and Southampton. Joint functions in conjunction with our former rivals the 'Old Conways' and 'Old Pangbournians' are also held on a regional basis in Liverpool, the Midlands and the Northeast together with several locations overseas.
OWs visit the 'Cutty Sark' at her presentGreenwich base.
One of the largest functions ever held was in June 2000 when a Millennium Dinner was staged in London; this was a 'sellout' over a year in advance...
In the chair was Captain Malcolm Borland who left the ship in 1951. Most OWs will remember - with the greatest affection - his late father Ian Borland M.B.E. who was Secretary of the Thames Nautical Training College from 1932 to 1968 and also Secretary of the Association of Old Worcesters from 1939 to 1976.
Some 250 OWs live abroad so there are similar arrangements for functions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa & the U.S.A.
The life subscription of £5 has remained unchanged for many years, so the running costs of the Association are largely met from any surplus made on functions together with the sale of ties and sundry other regalia. The Honorary Secretary is:-
Graham.
K.C. Smith Esq.
5 Tower Court
Dunchideock
EXETER
Devon EX6 7YD
U.K.
Tel:/Fax: (Home)+44 (0)1392 832 975 (Mobile) +44 (0)7836 633 325
E-mail: honsec@hms-worcester.co.uk
Last update 8/05/03
