A former sailor from the Shropshire-Wales border has written a novel following the experiences of four lads who sign up for a life on the ocean wave.

It has been written by 68-year-old Bill Thomas, of Llanymynech, who himself joined the Royal Navy in 1956 and, when he left the service after 22 years, was a Charge Chief Petty Officer Technical.

His book, That’s Life In A Blue Suit, is currently at the printers and is expected out shortly, although he already has an advance copy and says it is already featured on Amazon.  

It tells of four young men who dodge call-up papers for National Service in 1956 by signing up for nine years in the Royal Navy, and after training find themselves on HMS Vanguard, Britain’s biggest, and last, battleship.

Mr Thomas also volunteered for the navy as a way of beating National Service, and also served for a time early in his career on HMS Vanguard. However, he says the book is not autobiographical.

“It’s a story of an aggressive obsession set within the lower deck atmosphere,” he said.

Mr Thomas – he goes as William G. Thomas on the frontpiece of the book – was born Gerald Morgan in Llanfyllin in October 1938. His father was William Henry Thomas and his mother was Bessie Morgan.

During the war Mr Thomas’ father was held prisoner by the Japanese, and on his return in 1946 the couple married at Whixall, and the seven-year-old Gerald Morgan became William Gerald Thomas.

That’s Life In A Blue Suit will be Mr Thomas’ second published book in print, but he has actually written four.

“I’m researching my fifth book at the moment,” he said.

That’s Life In A Blue Suit is published by Melrose Books and costs £15.99.