ABSTRACT
Cornwell always wanted to join the navy, but his parents did not approve: however, with the coming of WW1, they relented, and he joined the RN as a Boy Seaman in 1915. He was unremarkable in training, in fact he found gunnery particularly hard going. He was sent to join HMS Chester, a cruiser bought from the Greek Navy while building, joining her on 1 May 1916.
