WWII was quite a desperate affair for the British, and even the actors got work, some of them impersonating soldiers and sailors for long periods, in the real services. Peter Bull is one who was finally commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander, and spent his war commanding a Landing Craft Tank.(LCT). He thought it a reasonable occupation for a man who could manage to ground any vessel placed under his control. They were a reasonably happy ship, and not under strict discipline, according to his testimony. It's a pretty funny book, as he is a high quality raconteur. He's mostly famous for stage work though he was one of the tutors in "tom Jones", the Albert Finney version. ( )

(Not read yet). "These were the little ships - the landing craft, the front line vessels that deposited armies onto enemy beaches. Manned by crews of 'individuals' - strong on guts but weak on discipline - and led by officers like the intrepid Peter Bull ..." - back cover.