Back Cover page: The unique feature about our old ship, H.M.S. Cheviot, is that she was laid down and then lay dormant for nearly two years, while the powers that be pondered upon her fate? 'To be or not to be, that was the question?'
Likewise, most of us who served in her, missed all the major conflicts, sailing around the farthest reaches of the world, maintaining peace and good order?
Yet, out of it all, we enhanced and gained our character. Something hidden, yet obvious to those who have never had it? Something which we paid for in our youth; and yet it set us up for greater things during our subsequent working lifetimes? -Few of us had any regrets at choosing the Royal Navy for our first career. Our escape from our own environments. Something which taught us to never be afraid of doing something new. An opportunity, even in the face of apparently superior knowledge. -Often proven to be not so?
Our final label perhaps was pre-ordained? ‘Not known for tolerating idiot’s lightly’, ‘Always been a free spirit’, and perhaps worst of all, ‘Always been his own man’. ‘Always keen to go forwards, regardless?’ (Guns on the front, none on the stern). (Well, not while I was on it, I don't think?)
“Chief, you’re making black smoke!”
“Your bloody right I am Sir, what do expect for twenty four and six a day, Red white and blue?”
Or total subservience? (On a 4.5” guns crew), one’s job, when the officer shouts ‘Shoot!’ -Is that one looks down the gun barrel, from the wrong end, and reports back positively, “Cordite burning brightly, shell on the way Sir!”
Finally, ‘If there is one thing that is really worth doing, it is simply messing about in boats?’ -Lord Baden Powell.
