From Boy to Man

This book is a personal story of life on board aircraft carriers during WWII. The author starts his story reminiscing about joining the British Navy and then continues with battles fought and time spent in various ports around the world.

"The morning of my departure for the training base was, for me, a continuous wave of excitement. My heart told me I was about to shake off my youth. I felt my old life slipping away. The sense of duty was stirring my blood to boiling point, but at the back of my mind was the feeling of sadness.

Leaving the family behind was something I had never done before. I could see how they tried to hide their own sadness at my trotting off into the wide, wide world. I was secretly glad when the time actually came for moving off. The family took their leave but remained in the kitchen as I made my way to the front door. It was my sister who came to the front door to see me off. I shall never forget the sad expression on her face as we parted. I made my way to the corner of the street a short distance away and turned to wave goodbye. We each threw a kiss and I left her standing there in the doorway of the house. Three weeks as a trainee, I thought to myself as I made my way to the station. Three weeks and maybe I could have a little leave, or should I call that shore leave?"