Hi Jackie, "Mercantile Marine" rang a bell [excuse the pun] with me in that I thought I remembered it was an Insurance Company, rather like Lloyds. It seems "Mercantile Marine" might have been a "Scheme" for merchant seamen; http://www.boatingyellowpages.co.uk/dispcomp.asp?CompanyID=1013&src=atoz&intl=m my grandmother worked at the then Ministry of Pensions and I have based my searches on this knowledge. I've checked it out and found this http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKMasters.html which may go some way to an understanding, if not precisely the answer to your question. I've been looking for a Master Mariner who died 1837. :-( A mention of Barnardo's here: http://www.goldonian.org/photos/photo_archive_homes/pages/russel_coats.htm I have listed what I have found, otherwise, not having the time to check through all, in case they are of interest. http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/articles/awards.htm http://www.remembering.org.uk/mercantile_marine_memorial.htm http://www.bl.uk/collections/oiocfamilyhistory/familymaritime.html http://www.medals.org.uk/united-kingdom/united-kingdom151.htm Janet ----- Original Message ----- Jackie wrote: > Hi listers - I wonder if anyone can help with some information. My late > father-in-law was brought up at Watts Training School (after Dr Barardos) and > around 1915 (aged about 16) he was moved to Birkenhead - and we believe went on > to train at a place called Mercantile Marine. > > We can't seem to find out anything about this place - where it was, what > they did. My father-in-law went on to work for Cammel Lairds. As he died many. > many years ago we don't have anything about this period of his life. > > So we would be very for any information about just what Mercantile Marine > was/is, or where Barnardos boys would be sent around Birkenhead/Mersyside in > this period, after being at Watts Naval Training School - Jackie