Themes

'My mother suggested that, you know, how about thinking about the Navy, I thought "hmm do I really want to do it"

I mean at that age I thought "Oh the Navy are you kidding", lots of discipline, and you know you've got to do as your told this sort of thing and I thought "Bloody Hell no" and then I thought "Well maybe lets give it a go.'

So I went and went for my Interview Board and I was offered a place - offered a commission - and was offered a place at university at the same time. And I thought "Wayland, which is really the better for you? Which will you enjoy more?" and I shouted "Navy".

And so I decided that instead of going to university where I'm sure I would have played lots of rugger, had a marvellous time but failed all my exams in the final analysis - lets go to the Navy and see the world and get paid for it and get a certain amount of training and experience, and hopefully, have a good time.'

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