The author joined the Fleet Air Arm in December 1950. During his 13+ years of service, he worked on many interesting Naval aircraft. A few years later, the 'jet' propelled aircraft would make their appearance, and to make room for those, his beloved piston-engine aircraft would have to go. By chance, the author spent a comparatively short time on aircraft carriers, due to his rapid selection for regular higher maintenance training, rising from Air Mechanic (2nd Class) to the top as Chief Petty Officer (Air Mechanician 1st Class). As his career drew to a close, larger Naval aircraft were entering service, and helicopters were becoming larger. Those marvellous aircraft, and talented pilots, were unable to fly without the efforts of maintenance personnel; the author's role was to assist in 'Keeping Them Flying'. His career finalised taking charge of a maintenance crew for a helicopter unit at the Dartmouth Britannia Naval College.

If you enjoy the country-side, reading or poetry, you will find 40 poems in this book that will interest you, which are enjoyable to read, covering topics that many readers will relate to. The collection has been written over the past 50 years whilst the author dwelt in rural surroundings, which inspired him to put into verse life as he witnessed it. If an interest in poetry has escaped you, this book will allow an ideal opening to the genre. Each poem, or verse, has been written in a manner that makes reading them a pleasure for all age groups. They span a variety of themes as diverse as the 'Trials of an Umpire' to a visit to 'Stow Horse Fair' or from a 'February Freeze' to a 'Summer's Dream'. Give in to temptation and open the book and begin reading to-day.