In his illuminating book on
British Battleships, 1892-1957 (London: Putnam, 1957) Commander Randolph Pears, R.N. (Retd.) relates this amusing anecdote about the future Sea Lord entering the Royal Navy of the mid-nineteenth century. As Commander Pears relates, in those days prospective cadets wishing to become officers were subject to close scuritiny:
When the future Lord Fisher of Kilverstone entered the Navy himself in the 'fifties of the last century his examination mainly consisted of having to jump stark naked over a chair and to recite the Lord's Prayer, no doubt having to put his clothes on again for the second feat, but that is not related. He was rewarded with a glass of sherry.
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Fisher as Midshipman 1856-1860 |
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