Growing up in the 1930s and 40s, Stuart B. Thorn always dreamed of becoming a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy-a fantasy that, for a number of reasons, was unlikely to ever come to pass. Still, at the age of seventeen, Thorn had only grown stronger in his desire to go out to sea.
So the young man took the only opportunity he could. He enlisted as a junior stoker and began a grueling career that would place him on the scene at every conflict of the era-including Korea, the Cod Wars, and the first Gulf Incident.
Now retired, Thorn has plenty to share about the history of the times he has lived and worked through-before, during, and after his years of active service.
In The Life and Times of a Stoker RN, Thorn draws upon eighty years of life experience to share an authentic look at the world inside Royal Navy ships, the sociology of the mid-twentieth century, and a stoker's long journey to finally achieving senior rank.
About the Author: Stuart B. Thorn joined the Royal Navy as a junior stoker at seventeen. Throughout his military career, he was involved in every conflict of his era-including Korea, Suez, the Cod Wars, the first Gulf Incident, and Indonesia.
After reaching the rank of engineer lieutenant, Thorn retired from the service and went on to live and work in New Zealand. There, he went to university and earned both a bachelor's and master's degree.
In the wake of a second retirement, Thorn moved with his wife back to Yorkshire, where he worked mainly for ex-service organizations. After the tragic passing of his wife, he returned to New Zealand, where he spends most of his days caring for his dog Lucky and working for local charities.
