Over 850 Vindi boys have been identified in Australia and New Zealand with many more living in Canada, USA, South Africa and a growing following now in Spain, most of course live in the UK. Not all are members of branches or affiliated with the TSVA, UK for various reasons. With early Vindi boys now in their 80's and many lost during the war years, we are a dying few to perpetuate our beginnings.

Many Vindi boys following their vocation became Master in their own right to Captain ships around the world, others to become Senior Officers, many on leaving joined other Force and Services from Armed, Police, Fire, Ambulance to Security and to excel in employment of all areas of private enterprise and Government, from Senior Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the House to Senior Official. From Accountant to Company Director to Farmer, Jeweller, Baker, Painter, Plumber or Candle Stick Maker, in fact every profession and trade imaginable.
 
The ship "TS Vindicatrix" has had a long history, being built in Glasgow in 1893 as the "Arranmore" for Thompson, Dickie & Co. (Maiden City Line). She was a three masted, square rigged and built of steel without an engine other than a boiler to run steam driven winches.

In 1910 she was sold to the Germans and renamed the "Waltraute". In 1914 a boiler/generator and electric lights were fitted as well as two extra decks provided from cargo hold areas. The covering of her original deck made a large enclosed area, which could be used for many purposes (later to become the Vindi mess deck), also made another deck.

In 1919 she was surrendered at the end of WW1, the British Shipping Federation acquired her and was again renamed this time as the "Vindicatrix". In 1939 as the dark clouds of WWII loomed she was towed to Sharpness on the River Severn and commissioned as the National Sea Training School for merchant seamen.
Over time the school was built up with hut accommodation and other camp facilities for young trainees who came from all corners of England, Ireland, Scotl=and and Wales
The TS Vindicatrix was but a hulk with the masts cut down and cockroach infested, making for many jokes about the extra protein in the food of which there seemed very little.

On the 12th January 1967 she was unceremoniously towed to her final resting ground, the ship wreckers at Newport (Gwent). After a historic 74 years and surviving several major mishaps she was no more.