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One Mans War

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The Story of One Man's Life in the Royal Navy at the Beginning of the 20th Century.

When Winston Churchill became the First Lord of the Admiralty he wrote:

“When I went to the Admiralty I found that there was no moment in the career and training of a normal officer, when he was obligated to read a single book about naval war or pass even the most rudimentary examinations on naval history…. Indeed, the “Silent Service” was not mute because it was absorbed in thought and study, but because it was way down by its daily routine and by ever complicating and diversifying techniques.”

Such was the condition of the Royal Navy in August 1914; the weaknesses were well concealed from public view, at home and abroad, by a tremendous outward show of strength. Alas, the Royal Navy did not win the war; but it is impossible to see how the war could have been won without it.
Modern sea war, in 1914, was all a mystery, the words 'nobody knew' might even serve as the epitaph for the whole war, but to no part of it more exactly than the war at sea. By early November there was deep discontent with the Admiralty and the Navy itself.

It was whilst I was researching World War I, that I heard of a story waiting to be told, Michael McCrea of Blackfordby had in his possession documents and journals belonging to his grandfather. Harry McCrea of Burton, who had served in the Royal Navy at the beginning of the century. These documents told of his life at sea whilst he was serving his King and Country and the following pages are an account of this. He served on around 17 or 18 naval vessels and establishments and there will be a separate chapter at the end of this book describing these in more detail.

Pete Smith 2012.