Whether a sailor or a dreamer of the sea, this is one voyage not to be missed
This book is also available as an E-Book at www.smashwords.com
This is a story told through the eyes of a young sailor who joined the Royal Navy in 1955 as a Boy Seaman 2nd class, the absolute lowest rank in the Navy. Follow his induction at HMS Ganges, the toughest boy's training establishment in England, if not the world, and his assignment to HMS Cockade in time to visit Australia for the opening of the 1956 Olympic games. This is a thoroughly amusing tale, tempered with dark moments od despair, as he visits islands in the South Pacific, tours Hong Kong,Korea and Japan, passes through the Suez Canal en-route to Malta and Gibraltar, hwelps to capture an Icelandic boarding party during the Cod Wars. He dives in a submarine to play cat and mouse with our Cold War adversaries, surfaces through the polar ice at the top of the world, feel the tension in the submarine as its sinks toward crush depth. Laugh at the antics of his fellow sailors and the strange situations they found themselves in. Learn the meaning of the acronym PASABH, and sympathize with this naive young sailor as he falls for one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Well, you've done it again! I thoroughly enjoyed "The Royal Navy and
Me", and have come to a couple of conclusions about you. You sir, are an
incurable romantic and also what my friends and I would term "a shit
magnet". (At least at times)
Having done 5 years military time myself, I could certainly relate
to the basic training tales, the precious time on leave and the
carousing crammed in whenever able. I can also appreciate the amount of
dignity required to keep from "going native" completely and retaining
one's drawers!
I have just finished a midnight shift at work and am now enjoying a
tot in honour of your literary achievements and your Birthday. Many
happy returns.
The story of Ron Hull, paralyzed in a surgical accident back in the dreaded polio epidemic days, was able to overcome most of the stigma and stereotypes and "pass for normal" for 30 years. As Ron's paralysis increased gradually through the next 20
Destiny's Daughter by Frances Altman highlights events in the life of Mary Edwards Walker, maverick suffragist, Civil War doctor and only woman Medal of Honor recipient.
My memories as an immigrant professional woman in Ottawa, Canada 47 years ago. A new life after having survived the liberal war of a new country Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.