'Fortune's Bastard' — Createspace

Synopsis: When Chief Petty Officer Philip Palmer joins the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious in Singapore little does he suspect his naval career is about to be destroyed by the ambitions of Lieutenant Commander Le Voir. Autocratic and strongly opinionated Le Voir instantly dislikes the over-confident Palmer and the antipathy turns to hatred and physical violence when the two men discover they share the same woman's love. Circumstances run out of control when Le Voir is physically attacked by disgruntled ratings and Palmer finds himself accused of causing the loss of an aircraft and the death of a young observer. Facing a courts martial for striking Le Voir in a drunken rage Palmer deserts his ship only to be arrested trying to flee Singapore on a civilian liner with his new wife and her daughter. At the trial Le Voir is exposed as an ambitious bully with no consideration for the men under him. Found guilty of desertion Palmer is sentenced to be discharged from the service but while waiting for confirmation of sentence he discovers the Admiralty intend to make him an example for the poor discipline on the squadron. They recommend dishonourable discharge and a two year prison sentence with hard labour. Unable to accept the punishment Palmer and his new wife escape to Australia just before the naval patrol arrives to arrest him. On the way to Australia Palmer discovers that Le Voir has been promoted.