One of my all time favourites is Alexander Kent’s (pen name of Douglas Reeman) series about Richard Bolitho and his family. Later books in the series (set after his death) are based on his nephew Adam Bolitho.
Below is Richard Bolitho’s ‘biography’ with in bold italics the relevant book, between brackets the year of publication and a brief summary.
1756 – Born in Falmouth, Second son to Captain James Bolitho.
1768 – Joins the Royal Navy as a midshipman aboard HMS Manxman, 80-gun third rate ship of the line.
1772 – Richard Bolitho, Midshipman (1975) – Bolitho serves as a Midshipman aboard HMS Gorgon , 74-gun third rate ship of the line.
1773 – Midshipman Bolitho and the ‘Avenger’ (1978) – With Gorgon refitting Richard serves on HM Cutter Avenger, commanded by his brother Hugh.
1774 – Band Of Brothers (2006) – Bolitho passes the examination for Lieutenant and is assigned to the crew taking 14-gun HM Schooner Hotspur to Guernsey.
1774 – Stand Into Danger (1980) – Promoted Lieutenant, Bolitho joins the 28-gun frigate HMS Destiny. He meets Stockdale, who will become his first coxswain. The Destiny travels to Rio & the Caribbean. Bolitho is severely wounded whilst with a watering party on a remote island.
1775 – Bolitho joins H.M.S. Trojan, 80-gun ship of the line.
1777 – In Gallant Company (1977) – Trojan sails for New York and the American War of Independence. As war takes it’s toll amongst the other officers Bolitho gains seniority and is eventually given the independent command of a prize.
1778 – Sloop Of War (1972) – Promoted Commander and given command of the 18-gun HM Sloop Sparrow Bolitho continues to fight the Americans.
1780 – Adam, illegitimate son of Richard’s older brother Hugh and Kerenza Pascoe, is born
1782 – To Glory We Steer (1968) – Promoted Captain and given the 32-gun frigate HMS Phalarope, Bolitho again returns to the fight against the Americans and the French in the West Indies. After a near mutiny takes part in the Battle of the Saints.
1784 – Command a King’s Ship (1973) – With the war over Richard is given the 32-gun frigate HMS Undine and sent to the far east in support of a new colony.
1789 – Passage To Mutiny (1976) – In command of the 36-gun frigateTempest Bolitho fights pirates amongst the Pacific islands until he is laid low by fever.
1792 – With All Despatch (1988) – Still recovering from fever and with war breaking out again Bolitho commands some cutters at the Nore and takes on local Brotherhood in the Medway
1793 – Form Line of Battle! (1969) – Bolitho gets command of the 74-gun third rate ship of the line HMS Hyperion and is sent to the Mediterranean.
1794 – Enemy In Sight! (1970) – The French are chased across the Atlantic to the West Indies and back again. Adam Bolitho joins the Royal Navy and Richard’s ship.
1795 – Promoted to Flag Captain and given command of the 100-gun first rate (3 decker) ship of the line Euryalus
1797 – Flag Captain (1971) – After putting down a mutiny on another ship Richard’s squadron goes to the Mediterranean
1798 – Signal – Close Action! (1974) – Appointed Commodore Bolitho and given a squadron, hoisting his flag in the 74-gun HMS Lysander (Captain Thomas Herrick). Sent to the Mediterranean where he takes a part in the Battle of the Nile.
1800 – The Inshore Squadron (1977) – Promoted Rear-Admiral Bolitho, sent to the Baltic, hoists his flag in the 74-gun HMS Benbow (Captain Thomas Herrick) and takes part in the Battle of Copenhagen.
1801 – A Tradition Of Victory (1981) – Still flying his flag in HMS Benbow (Captain Thomas Herrick), Bolitho is shipwrecked and taken prisoner in the Bay of Biscay.
1802 – Success To The Brave (1983) – With the Peace of Amiens signed Bolitho is promoted Vice-Admiral and is sent to the West Indies, hoisting his flag in the 64-gun HMS Achates (Captain Valentine Keen).
1803 – Colours Aloft! (1986) – With the peace over Bolitho, his flag hoisted in the 74-gun HMS Argonaute (Captain Valentine Keen) is posted to the Mediterranean.
1804 – Honour This Day (1987) – Bolitho hoists his flag in his old ship Hyperion and sails for the Caribbean.
1805 – Battle of Trafalgar
1806 – The Only Victor (1990) – Sir Richard Bolitho is sent to South Africa and then the second Battle of Copenhagen.
1808 – Beyond The Reef (1992) – Returning to South Africa in the 36-gun frigate HMS Truculent (Captain Daniel poland) Sir Richard is shipwrecked. Later he hoists his flag in the 94-gun, second rate ship of the line, HMS Black Prince.
1809 – The Darkening Sea (1993) – With his flag hoisted in the 42-gun frigate HMS Valkyrie (Captain Aaron Trevenen), Sir Richard takes part in the Mauritius campaign.
1811- For My Country’s Freedom (1995) – Promoted full Admiral Sir Richard is sent to take part in the Second American War hoisting his flag in the 44-gun razee HMS Indomitable (Captain James Tyacke).
1813 – Cross of St. George (1996) – Sir Richard takes part in the defence of Canada
1814 – Sword of Honour (1998) – Sir Richard Bolitho is sent to the Mediterranean
1815 – Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho is killed in action aboard his flagship the 74-gun third-rate ship of the line HMS Frobisher.
Thanks to https://www.historicnavalfiction.com/authors-a-z/alexander-kent
Rediscovering my Library 