more than the man beneath the bowler...
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World War II
Macnee did not intend an officer's career, but nevertheless joined the officer's training corps at Eton.
When his Second World War call-up papers arrived, Macnee enlisted first as an Ordinary Seaman in 1942. Following his wife's suggestion to become an officer, he passed as Commission Warranted Candidate and was sent to HMS King Alfred, an officer's training establishment near Hove.
While being First Lieutenant at MTB 434 in summer 1944 doctors diagnosed bronchitis and he was sent to a hospital at Chichester. There Macnee received the message that his ship had been sunk by surface craft off Normandy, July 9.
Service list of Naval Officer Patrick Macnee - Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Officer:
source: www.unithistory.com
source: www.unithistory.com
According to Patrick Macnee's autobiography, he was an Able Seaman when he returned to London after six week induction course and married Barbara Douglas in November 1942.
