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Destroyer Escort

Thomas E. Lightburn

In the midst of World War II, HMS Express and her sister ship Electra brave towering waves, ferocious storms, and the ever-present threat of enemy action while escorting the mighty Prince of Wales across the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

Captain Hampton faces the immense pressures of command, making life-or-death decisions as his crew struggles to repair damaged lifeboats, guardrails, and equipment battered by nature’s fury. Amid the chaos of naval warfare, messages from the Admiralty reveal the perilous state of the fleet in the Far East, while glimpses of humanity emerge through letters from loved ones and moments of camaraderie among the men. As the flotilla navigates treacherous waters, Hampton’s longing for Helen provides a tender counterpoint to the relentless demands of duty, weaving a story of courage, loyalty, and hope.

This vivid tale immerses readers in the high-stakes drama of life at sea during one of history’s most volatile periods.

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ABOUT THOMAS E. LIGHTBURN


Thomas E. Lightburn served twenty-two years in the medical branch of the Royal Navy, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He left the service in 1974 and obtained a Bachelors (Hons) degree at Liverpool University. After teaching for sixteen years, he volunteered for early retirement. He then began writing for The Wirral Journal and The Sea Breezes, a worldwide nautical magazine. He interviewed the late Ian Fraser, VC, ex-Lieutenant RN, and wrote an account of how he and his crew crippled the Japanese cruiser, Takao, in Singapore.

Thomas is a widower and lives in Mersyside pursuing his favourite hobbies of soccer, naval and military history, the theatre, art and travel.