'People ashore don’t realise what a grim war we are waging at sea with the Germans. A cold-blooded war, in a way I think requiring the maximum of bravery from the men of both sides in the long run, as it is so ceaseless and intangible. You just don’t know whether the next moment will be your last.' Robert Hichens, RNVSR
Several years ago, Julia Jones was searching through long-forgotten items stored at her house and discovered some suitcases of old written material, which turned out to be accounts by her father of his experiences in the RNVSR (Royal Naval Volunteers Supplementary Reserve). She realised that as a child she’d met many of the people mentioned, and although she was too young to truly know them, these youthful impressions spurred her on to rediscovery and understanding.
In this absorbing book Julia tells the compelling stories of the yachtsmen. Some were famous (such as Peter Scott and Nevil Shute) and many were not (such as the author’s own father). Some were wealthy (Peter Beatty was driven by Rolls Royce to his ship each morning, and collected by his chauffeur and valet at the end of the day) and others were not. Whilst some had extensive experience others had very little, and few could ever have dreamed that they would end up acting in areas that were so far beyond their normal lives, as they found themselves commanding destroyers and submarines, and undertaking covert missions of sabotage.
Some undertook the dangerous daily drudgery of minesweeping; others tackled unexploded bombs, engaged the enemy in high-speed attacks or played key roles in Ian Fleming's famous intelligence commandos.
This varied crew of men were given tasks vital to the war effort, requiring endurance, extraordinary bravery, resourcefulness and quick thinking. Some died in the process, but for the ones who survived, Julia asks how their experiences changed them. Could their love of sailing and the sea survive the harsh realities of war?
By:
Julia Jones
Imprint: Adlard Coles Nautical
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 153mm,
Weight: 610g
ISBN: 9781472987105
ISBN 10: 1472987101
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 31 May 2022
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Chapters will cover: - Volunteering: who volunteered? About 2,000 yachtsmen in total, encompassing a huge variety of backgrounds, personalities, motivations, experience, social class… This is inescapably an officers’ books, as it was as officers that the volunteers were commissioned (distinguished barristers for instance became ‘[probationary temporary sub-lieutenants) - What were they ordered to do: The volunteers undertook a huge variety of tasks from mine-sweeping and clearance, convoy escort, commanding destroyers and battleships (and even submarines – Edward Young, Penguin’s pre-war design director) or secret kayaking missions around Japan (Edward’s friend, typographical expert Ruaru MacLean), mine laying, sabotage, commanding of landing craft (Alex Guinness commanding one craft during the invasion of Sicily and Elba) - The boats: there are many ‘little ship’ tales here, such as the story of the yacht HMS Campeador, manned by four elderly grandees (including a retired WW1 admiral and a Master of Foxhounds) who volunteered as RNVR temporary sub-lieutenants and took Campeador on Channel patrol in all weathers, until she was finally sunk by a mine and they all lost their lives - Attitudes, expertise and the development of trust: the effect on individuals being required to do things way beyond their normal lives. The Navy changed the amateurs, and the amateurs also changed the navy: relationships were often difficult in the early days, but by the end of the war there was generous recognition by the Navy of the party played by all the volunteers - Communications: this was an articulate group, and there is a large amount of published contemporary commentary by them. Many chose to say nothing of their experiences, but those who did (eg Monsarrat) have had a crucial impact shaping our perception of the war at sea - Those who survived and who didn’t: volunteering because one was a yachtsman was analogous in some ways to WW1 volunteering as part of a Pals Battalion. Strong bonds of friendship built up and endured, but result in particular anguish over the deaths of friends, or ships which simply failed to return.
Julia Jones, formerly also known as Julia Thorogood, is an English writer, editor and classic yacht owner whose own father served in the RNVSR. She is Literary Contributor for Yachting Monthly magazine. Julia's introduction to books and boats happened simultaneously when her parents bought Arthur Ransome's yacht Peter Duck when Julia was not quite three years old. She soon discovered that her berth on board Peter Duck was the snuggest place in the world for reading - and writing and dreaming as well. It wasn't until many years later when she and her husband Francis Wheen had bought Peter Duck back into their family that she discovered that her special reading place had originally been designed for Ransome to store his typewriter. This inspired her own Strong Winds series of sailing adventures. She was introduced to the River Deben at birth and remains an unashamedly East Coast sailor.
Reviews for Uncommon Courage: The Yachtsmen Volunteers of World War II
From Childers to Monsarrat via Shute and Maurice Griffiths. Julia Jones links the world of yachting, literature, the navy and war into an extraordinary account of heroism and sacrifice. An unexpected and important story, rivetingly told. Rip roaring stuff. Get this into the paws of the sea dog in your life. -- Griff Rhys Jones A story that has been a long time coming... And who to tell it better than novelist and journalist Julia Jones who has not only the gift of the pen, but whose father was one of the cadre of sailors who helped ensure that the war was won * Classic Boat * This is a magnificent portrait of men at war and a most scholarly history. * Country Life * The likes of Maurice Griffiths, Peter Scott, Robert Hichens, Nevil Shute Norway and Adrian Seligman brought an inventiveness to situations that sometimes challenged the 'Navy way' but got results... A remarkable mosaic of accounts of the war at sea. -- Peter Willis * Yachting Monthly * a good book that offers a welcome insight and turns the spotlight anew on some of the forgotten men of a terrible conflict * Sailing Today * Remarkable mosaic of accounts of the war at sea * Yachting Monthly *
