Len Chivers, a Royal Navy veteran from Portsmouth now in his 100s, served for 35 years, including during the Second World War.
Len joined the Navy at just 15, undergoing rigorous training on the Isle of Man. His first posting was HMS Queen Elizabeth, a battleship with over 1,000 sailors. During the war, Len took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Crete and was later injured when HMS Kipling was bombed in 1942. He suffered severe burns and a fractured spine, eventually receiving pioneering plastic surgery at Rooksdown House in Basingstoke.
Despite his injuries, Len returned to active duty, serving in India before retiring as an officer in 1974 after 35 years of service. His story exemplifies courage, resilience, and dedication.
