Hank's narrative of the many happenings and incidents during his four years of operations from Carriers is vivid and exciting. And his description of the high risks involved in flying on and off the unstable and moving flight decks of Aircraft Carriers, is not just gripping but informative and interesting. Strong friendships too were formed among aircrews and Hank writes movingly about the deep sadness quietly suffered when friends were killed. But Hank's story is by no means all doom and war, his account of life ashore, sometimes with attractive but elusive young women, is often brilliantly funny. Basically his book is not about heroes and leaders of naval air warfare, although he points out that there were many of them, but a portrayal of an average young man, anxious to fight for his country, but having to cope with the tension of warfare. Henry 'Hank' Adlam was more of less educated at Harrow school. After his wartime naval service, like many demobbed personnel, he tried his hand at many occupations and led an intriguing and yo-yo type life until he reached the safe security of Board level in the aircraft industry. Another book in the making.
His family were engineers in Bristol since 1820 and, having immensely enjoyed his semi-retirement job as Bursar of a large independent College in the City, he is well-known Bristol character. He is a sprightly 85 yrs old and still retains the wicked sense of humour that is frequently demonstrated in this book. An author, but also a well established artist of marine and aviation paintings in the west of England whose work had been exhibited and sold at Christies in London.