Headlong Into the Sea

Headlong into the Sea is Robert Clarkson’s account of life as a junior regular officer in the Royal Navy between 1939 and 1946. Serving in HMS Vindictive, the cadet training cruiser, HMS Revenge, a battleship of the North Atlantic escort force, HMS Emerald, a light cruiser in Singapore and the East Indies, HMS Carlisle, an anti-aircraft cruiser in the Mediterranean, and HM Landing Ship (Tank) 3028 in Indonesia, Commander Clarkson traces his own personal progression against the naval background of World War II. It is an autobiographical account of wartime service, recalling the atmosphere of those years, and an important period in British naval history.

He paints an absorbing picture of life for a young man at sea during World War II.

After the war Robert Clarkson served in the training establishments HMS Ganges and HMS Ceres; in the 3rd Destroyer Squadron in the Mediterranean; as First Lieutenant of HMS Phoenicia, the small ships base in Malta; in HMS Swiftsure as Secretary to the Flag Officer Flotillas (Home); and in the Admiralty as Secretary to the Deputy Controller. He was promoted to Commander in 1957 and served in HM Yacht Britannia, 1958-62, before joining the Royal Naval Staff College as a member of the Directing Staff. His last appointment was Staff Supply Officer to the Flag Officer, Sea Training.