BOOK SIGNING NOVEMBER 10

Adrian Holloway will be at the Dartmouth Community Bookshop to sign the new edition of his book at 2pm on November 10.

‘Dartmouth to War A Midshipman in the Mediterranean 1940-41’ is an account of Mr Holloway’s wartime experiences at sea. He attended the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and in 1940 at the age of 17 joined HMS Valiant as a Midshipman, sharing a gunroom with fellow midshipman, HRH Prince Philip, who has written a foreword to this book.

Mr Holloway served on HMS Valiant, HMS Suffolk and HMS Indomitable, fighting in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the Pacific, and taking part in the surrender of Hong Kong. He was with the Mediterranean Fleet providing cover for the Fleet Air Arm's raid on Taranto, was at the Battle of Matapan and took part in the evacuation of Crete. He witnessed the sinking of HMS Barham, and was on board Valiant when Italian frogmen mined her in Alexandria Harbour in 1941. Mr Holloway presents a fascinating first-hand account of the war at sea, vividly recalling what it was like to be in battle whilst still little more than a schoolboy. He describes the transition from the safety of Dartmouth to the terror and confusion of the open ocean, when Britain stood alone against the Axis. Complete with personal photographs, track charts and naval signals, this book provides an invaluable insight into the wartime activities of a junior officer.

Update on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 1:14PM by Kathy Stansfield

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A photo of 90-year old Adrian Holloway signing his books at the shop on 10 November.

You can buy signed copies of Dartmouth to War from the shop.