Frederic John Walker known more popularly as Johnnie Walker because of the brand of whisky, was the most successful anti-submarine commander of the Second World War. With 17 U-boats destroyed one aspect of his charismatic nature was to play the tune “A Hunting We Will Go”.
In 1900, when submarines were being…
In 1900, when submarines were being introduced to navies, Admiral Arthur Wilson called them underhanded, threatening to hang enemy sub crews as pirates. So, in 1914, when Max Horton commanded Britain’s first sub engagement against the Germans, he ordered his crew to fly a Jolly Roger.
In WWI, many British naval…
In WWI, many British naval ships were painted with “Dazzle Camo”, a camouflage scheme designed not to make them hard to see, but rather to create a confusing perspective that made judging ship type, speed, and direction difficult.
A sailor who wishes to grow a beard in the Royal Navy has to submit a ‘permission…
A sailor who wishes to grow a beard in the Royal Navy has to submit a ‘permission to stop shaving’ form. He is then allowed two weeks to ‘grow a full set’ before he presents himself to the Master at Arms who will decide if his beard looks stupid or is respectably full enough to be permitted.