Book: St Vincent's Home Boys

A new book about life in St Vincent's Orphanage in Hull between 1918-1924 has been released by Cormorant Publishing Hartlepool.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul ran the orphanage in the City of Hull. Ernest Cleveland was only seven years of age when his mother died. His father was at sea minesweeping and young Ernest was sent to St Vincent's to be cared for by the Sisters of Mercy.

Ernest also wrote about his education in the nearby Catholic school and tells the story of his experiences in a positive, enlightening and humorous way. Its a book that will appeal to readers of all ages.

In later life Ernest joined the Hull Fishing Fleet and saw service on the Icelandic convoys which he recalls in his second book "Trawlers and Trawler Folk" to be published in 2009.

Although Ernest died some years ago and his ashes scattered on the North Sea off Hartlepool Bay his recollection of his time in the orphanage more than 80 years ago gives an insight into life in the good old days of the Roaring Twenties.

His daughter Margaret who typed the original manuscript for her father as a teenager and his son Barrie have added some additional material including photographs of Hull Fair, the old nun's habits and a cracking photograph of a Father Clancy with two of the sisters of Mercy - Sister Vincent and Sister Louise.

St Vincent's Home Boys by Ernest Cleveland, the former fisheries officer from Hartlepool, born in Hull edited by his children Margaret and Barrie is published by Cormorant Publishing Hartlepool ISBN 978-0-9558593-8-0 £9.99p.

The book can be bought through ICN from the Amazon site on our home page. It is also available direct from the publishers at: www.riddlewrites.co.uk