Naval publicity and recruitment film.

The hero, Terry Gardner, is discontented with his job on a building site, where the Welsh foreman restricts him to the menial role of tea boy. Terry decides to join the Navy, despite derision from his elder brother, Reg, and the recruiting officer's warning that "there's plenty of jobs you won't like doing in the Navy, and the discipline's tougher." Although physically frail, Terry is accepted for training as an electrical mechanic at HMS Raleigh, Plymouth, where he undergoes rifle training and an assault course, lectures on basic seamanship, introductory boatwork, and shipboard drill such as damage control, fire fighting, etc. He graduates, a changed man: "if Reg could see you now." Terry then goes for further training to HMS Collingwood, Fareham. At home, Terry's new life contrasts favourably with his brother's factory job; "...drilling holes all day, you (Reg) must get pretty twisted." Late back from his leave Terry is reprimanded, but perseveres in the service and is transferred for his first spell of active duty on board HMS Naiad. He visits Gibraltar, and while enjoying the company of an attractive Wren, meets an old friend from HMS Raleigh now serving in submarines. Terry also trains as a submariner - torpedo instruction, underwater escape training, etc - and is transferred to HMS Artemis. The film ends as Terry takes up duty as an Underwater Control Rating - as he passes another seaman making tea, he savours his new status, remarking derisorily, "Make the tea, boyo."

Notes

Remarks: an estimable idea to show a boy of barely average physique succeeding in the Navy, but I think that in casting Mr Tonge they went too far.