M. C. Smith

For many years I have been immersing myself in aspects of the history of the Royal Navy. As a tour guide aboard HMS Belfast (London) and keen associate member of the Belfast Association, I reached a point where to write decent naval yarns inspired by the men of the Second World War cruiser fleet was just a logical step forward.

I have built up a grand view of how their world was from the precise, 'The exact procedure for letting the bridge know you're unable to follow orders is...' to the more commonplace, 'I was onboard in '48 and she was rusty even then...' to the ridiculous, 'He sunbathed in the tropics using cooking oil and was in hospital for months.'

Also doing volunteer work for TS (Training Ship) Constant, I have recently been asked to assist in the long term project of piecing together a history of the Sea Cadet Corps.