In 1926 John Hayes pledged to serve the Lords of Admirality 'at their discretion', and this he did for forty-two years, from the North Cape to the South China Sea, and from peace to three historic catastrophes of war at sea, the sinking of the 'Prince of Wales', the 'Repulse' and Convoy PQ17 This book is about naval tradition as much as war, and is a celebration of the service It is about music too, the author's other great love 'I turn to it in times of need, and at several moments in our history, face it I hope I did'