'The art of command is...to be the complete master, and yet the complete friend of every man on board; the temporal lord and yet the spiritual brother of every rating; to be detached and yet not dissociated.' A Seaman's Pocket-Book, 1943 has found huge appeal with the British public. Presented in the same format, The Royal Navy Officer's Pocket-Book gathers together useful advice and instruction for those naval officers fighting the Second World War on all aspects of their job, expressed in the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected. The book has been compiled and edited by Brian Lavery, who provides commentary and an introduction. Sections include: the Officer's Aid Memoire containing notes of the training course at one of the officer training schools; Notes for medical officers and treatment of battle casualties afloat; Notes for captains on taking command of their first ship; Notes for commanding officers; Notes on the handling and safety of ships and notes on dealing with disobedience and mutiny. While suffused with nostalgia and charm, the various contents of this book are an authentic presentation of matters of training, authority and deportment in the wartime navy. The book is sure to appeal not only to those who served in the war or had a relative who was in the officer class, but also to anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day administration of the wartime navy.

Published in the months leading up to the Battle of Jutland, W.M. James’ New Battleship Organisations, was the ultimate guide to command and organization of every aspect of a modern First World War capital ship. The book provides a unique, and highly revealing, insight into life aboard ship, the mechanics of command, seamanship, the issuing of orders, and the broad expectations placed upon British naval officers. Specific sections are dedicated to the organization of watches, the division of work (from fellow officers right through the ship’s company to the ratings), naval routine, parades, anchor and cable work, coaling and right down to the organization of chapel, on-board shops, cleaning and even the ship’s barbers. A series of detailed tables, diagrams and humorous cartons accompany the lucid, period language of the First World War Senior Service and provide a further glimpse below-decks that will appeal to social and family historians, and anyone with a general or specialist interest in naval history. The book, re-published here by the Pool of London Press as The Royal Navy Officer’s Jutland Pocket-Manual 1916, marks the centenary of the First World War’s most famous, and deadly naval encounter.

This WWII naval history examines the Royal Navy’s health and fitness policies, initiatives and innovations. ‘Fittest of the fit’ was the Royal Navy’s boast about its personnel, a claim based on a strict recruitment process. This book examines the reality behind the motto through the difficult years of the Second World War. Beginning with the medical aspects of recruitment, historian Kevin Brown examines how health and fitness were maintained at sea, including in the onerous extremes of Arctic and Tropical conditions. Beyond physical health, Brown also examines the importance of psychological factors and the maintenance of morale, covering everything from entertainment to tolerance of onboard pets. Inevitably, the effects of battle, injury and stress dominated naval medicine, and wartime led to rapid changes in everything from basic preparations to protective clothing. With revealing comparisons to other British services as well as US Navy practices, Fittest of the Fit offers a unique look at life for the Royal Navy, covering submariners and airmen as well as those in the surface fleet.

Jackspeak is a comprehensive reference guide to the humorous and colourful slang of the Senior Service, explaining in layman's termsthe otherwise cryptic everyday language of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Fleet Air Arm. Featuring more than 4,000 alphabetical entries, it was compiled by an ex-RM surgeon who spent 24 years in theservice. With useful cross-references and examples of common usagethroughout, along with excellent illustrations by Tugg, the cartoonistfrom service newspaper Navy News, it is the essential book forcurrent and ex-Navy personnel and their families, or anyone interested in the modern armed forces. Conway is proud to present a revised and updated edition of this classic volume, which is already acknowledged as the standard reference for every Jack, Jenny and Royal joining the Andrew, or for any civvy who wants a real insight into the unique culture of the Navy.