The Worcester Association

The training ship HMS Worcester had an enviable tradition and reputation for the quality of its cadets. They went to sea in the British Merchant and Royal Navies as well as those of the current and former members of the Commonwealth and our allies.

The college closed in 1968, although training at Greenhithe continued under the auspices of ILEA for further decade when it ended due to a falling demand for British mariners following the decision by the government of the day to allow non-UK personnel to command UK registered ships. This is a decision today’s governments seem to be regretting.

The last cadets to leave Worcester are well into their 70’s and being loathe to see their ship’s name fade into the annals of history have decided to support the effort to see a new generation of  cadets going to sea. Consequently the Worcester Merchant Navy Cadet Scheme [WMNCS] was founded in 2022 and in conjunction with Trinity House London is training suitable candidates for a career as Deck Officers in the Merchant Navy at Southampton University. Time at sea is spent aboard Merchant and Royal Naval vessels as well as offshore industry and sail training ships. 

The WMNCS scheme started in 2022 as a proposal of our Chairman, Commodore Peter Melson CVO CBE RN, and was embraced by the AOW membership. We already have cadets training at sea under the new scheme. The new Worcester Cadets have collectively suggested a new, web based Association to replace the AOW, to be named the Worcester Association.

The aims and objectives of the website are to help keep today’s and yesterday’s cadets in touch with former shipmates scattered around the world, in addition to provide an information resource for relatives and family of former cadets. We will do everything that we can to further these aims, while respecting the limits imposed by the General Data Regulations.