The 'training' warship The Wellesley was docked on the North shore of the Tyne in 1868.
It was a training ship for destitute boys from the age of 12 to 18.
You would be bonded to serve on this ship for many different reasons; if you were found on the street, fatherless, your family could not support you or for a variety of minor misdemeanours.
The idea was that it provided a place for those children who were deemed to be without a home or family. It also coincided with the fact that the Navy was in dire need of sailors and this would be a way of 'recruiting' young men into the Navy.
Tom Kelly's Grandfather was placed on board of this "man of woe" in the early 20th century.
As I travel around the country and talk about the Wellersley members of the audience in different cities have mentioned that they had grandfathers who were bonded to training ships in their area.
Негізгі бет Ойын-сауық TONY WILSON "On board a Man o' Woe" written by Tom Kelly and Tony Wilson
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