The Jolly Jossman R.N. (Paperback)

JOLLY, a good sense of humour; JOSSMAN, a necessary strong personality. Frederick Dale's memoirs show that he clearly had an abundance of both qualities. Throughout a naval career of nearly thirty-three years, he rose from the rank of boy seaman, second class, to the exalted position of a fleet master-at-arms. Being the person responsible for the discipline and many other aspects of several hundred sailors' lives, both at sea and ashore, Dale relates some raucous stories here that will make your hair curl! But fleet master-at-arms Dale hardly led a pure existence himself. He boxed as a middleweight for many years at fairground boxing booths, where members of the public would challenge him. The success of these rough and tumble days spurred him on to begin a career as a professional boxer, whilst simultaneously employed by the Navy; a dual existence that not many sailors have achieved. Dale's recollections give the ordinary person a peep through the porthole into ship life, showing the humorous escapades that befall sailors as they let off 'a little' steam whilst ashore or try to break up the monotony at sea. This is an insider's view of life in the Royal Navy, depicting the sailors in their element, as they work (and play) hard. Being an active member of the Navy, however, is not without its dangers and there are a sprinkling of life's sadder moments covered here; extreme weather carrying men overboard, hostile fire and dealing with the aftermath of World War II. But life goes on, especially when you've got hundreds of sailors to keep an eye on (and all those confounded charge sheets to write!).