This is the fictional story about Able Seaman Varn serving in His Majesties Imperial Navy just as the Korean War is kicking off. He's a typical Jolly Jack as sailors used to be when Royal Navy sailors were sung about, feted, admired, had hearts of gold, were irreverent of authority, lewd, funny and hard as nails.

Quite evocative reading for any who have served during the sixties and before - unfortunately to today's serving sailors, ham strung as they are with political correctness, health & safety, dignity at work, lord knows what else and who go on operations listening to an iPod, then, bursting into tears when it’s taken away - it is a totally unrecognisable Navy. This book is ideal for ex-Royal Navy personnel.

The jargon in it is pure navy speak – have The Pusser’s Rum publication “Slanguage” to hand if you haven’t served, as much of it will not be understood by "landlubbers!" The story however is an excellent pastiche of naval life in the fifties and early sixties. The main character, Able Seaman Varne is also a typical Jack-me-hearty of the period. This was the post war golden age of the Royal Navy when the navy was a worldwide force and a tot of rum was gold dust, used almost as currency and imbibed on a daily basis.

The story is set aboard a destroyer HMS Homage on the Far East Station. There is action, and graphic details of life aboard a warship, and 'runs ashore' a plenty.

In one particular scene, Varne, forever "in the rattle” for one misdemeanour or another, has the opportunity to have all forgiven, redeem himself and to shine in his senior officers eyes by winning a boxing match and also a prestigious cup for the ship. In a boxing match well described with all the sweat and snot reminiscent of any of The Rocky series, he does win, then sells the cup in a backstreet and spends the money on a Japanese woman.

O'Hara was obviously either in the R.N., or had firsthand experience of a sailor's life. A superb read!

And my copy is shrouded in bubble wrap - it sells for a pretty penny on e-bay. ( )