1940 March 4 : Jack was still 19 years old when he was called for a medical examination. There were 4 possible gtades from I, II, III & IV. IV was rejected and the man was too unfit or unwell to be suitable. The number was written out in words as well as Roman numerals so that it cannot be altered later to medically downgrade a man.

Grade I
Those who, subject only to such minor disabilities as can be remedied or adequately compensated by artificial means, attain the full normal standard of health and strength, and are capable of enduring physical exertion suitable to their age. (Source)

1940 July 19: After a number of further attempts he was finally enlisted in the British Navy for Boom Defence at HMS Pembroke IV ,accounting base, Nore (Thames Estuary) as an Ordinary Seaman.

1940 July 26: 
Told to report to  H.M.S Wildfire, a Royal Navy Land Base at Sheerness for Boom Defence Training which included field training, seamanship and a wiremans course. (Jack's Diary part 1 - page 1 & 2)

Portrait of Jack, Ordinary Seaman
taken by Ramsey & Muspratt, Cambridge

1940 October 15 to December 24:
Sent to H.M.S. Rooke Boom Defense central depot at Rosyth (Dock Yard), Scotland decribed "a collection of huts in Rosyth dock yard",

1940 October 25:
Assigned to the ship Star of the Realm, a civilian trawler requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a Boom Defence vessel.

About Boom Defences
Booms were defence against submarines which took the form of chains holding nets across estuaries, rivers or port areas which were strung between buoys or barges. Boom defence vessels were for laying, tending and operating booms.

'Mooring' and 'Gate' vessels (Jack's Diary part 1 -end of page 1) were required: the former to lay the buoys from which the boom was suspended and secured, and the latter to work that part of the boom made as a gate to allow vessels to enter or leave the protected area.

1940 December 31: Review
Character - Very Good
Efficiency - tick

Pathe News - Boom Defences 1940 - (Youtube Video)

Rosyth Command

Jack - Middle row far left

1941 March 7:
Drafted to the Royal Navy Base Portsmouth, H.M.S. Victory (noted on Jack's cap),  where he remained for some months on duty 'removing debris, mutilated bodies, or furniture from bombed out houses, coaling ships or on firewatch'. ( Jack's Diary, part 1, page 2)

1941 April 18:
Whilst still at H.M.S Victory promoted to Able Seaman

Archive picture from 'The News" Portsmouth

Jack's Diary, part 1 page 3

"...... every other night I went ashore and would have a 'peaceful' night at Madden's Hotel, which was a seaman's hotel.
One particular night Eddie Anstee suggested  that we go over to Cosham, which was about 5 miles away, and try to stay with some private people. I was not keen at first, as it was so far away and the transport was so difficult, but he eventually persuaded me to do so.
That night Madden's received a direct hit, and three weeks later over 200 bodies had been dug out of the ruins. ......."  

Location of bomb that destroyed Madden Hotel - from the Portsmouth Bomb Map

Archive picture from 'The News" Portsmouth - view of Station Street from the railway station after being bombed

1941 May 29 to December 13: ( Jack's Diary, part 1, page 3)

Assigned to  Cutter H.M.S Fishguard whose function included the defense of  convoys to and from West Africa and others in the Atlantic. Operating from the shore establishment HMS Ferret, Londonderry.

What follows below are the activities of HMS Fishguard whilst Jack was assigned to it. ( Naval History.net)

June                Deployed in Hone waters pending modifications to suit RN use.

July

             12th    Took passage from Londonderry to Thames Estuary.

             19th    Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard at Poplar, London.

August              Nominated for service in Western Approaches Command.

             8th      Took passage from Sheerness after post refit trials.

13th    Sailed from Greenock to Londonderry for service with 44th Escort Group.

                         Deployed for defence of convoys to and from West Africa.

             15th    Part of escort for Convoy 0S3 to Bathurst.

             29th    Arrived at Bathurst.

September

             8th      Sailed from Bathurst as part of escort for return Convoy SL86.

             24th    Detached from Convoy SL86 and returned to Londonderry.

October

             13th    Joined escort for Convoy OS9 to Bathurst.

November

             3rd      Arrived at Bathurst.

             9th      Sailed from Bathurst with escort for return Convoy SL92.

30th     Arrived at Belfast after detaching from SL92.

December

             2nd     Talk in hand for repair at Belfast.

Originally a US Coast Guard Cutter transferred to the Royal Navy in April 1941 under the Lend Lease Agreement and renamed HMS Fishguard
(Naval History.net)

March 1942 - Jack 3rd row from the front, 7th on right. Hove - location of 2nd part of the Officer's Training Course

1941 December 31 - Review
Character - Very Good
Efficiency - Superior (?)

1942 March 26: Promoted to Temporary Sub Lieutenant

National Library of Scotland - British Military Lists

Jack - Sub Lieutenant's Uniform