My grandfather joined the Navy when he was 14 years old in as a gunner in 1898 to fight the boers. As the youngest son, he wasn’t going to inherit the family tailoring business so he ran away to sea.

My father was the youngest of 4 separated almost to the day by 5 years as my grandfather had 5 year tours of duty.

Aged in his late 80’s and after the death of my grandmother, he came to stay with us around 1973/4 where he decided, despite being semi literate, to write a book of his life. I have the original manuscript and a copy transcribed digitally which I intend to publish.

He also painted the ships he served on. He painted one for me, which I lost, but my cousin still has this picture hanging on her toilet wall.

https://i.nostr.build/fzMIjReW07Twk7sz.jpg