Former Spalding and Gainsborough fireman and Royal Navy officer takes readers on a journey in new autobiography

A former Royal Navy officer was inspired to write his autobiography after being asked ‘why should your story die with you?’ by a fellow sailor.

Alongside serving seven years in the forces, Terry Day (71) spent over 30 years as a Fire Officer in Spalding and Gainsborough and he’s now exploring his fascinating life story in his new book ‘It Started With A Bang’.

Following the boredom that many people endured during lockdown in 2020, Terry put pen to paper thanks to a nudge in the right direction by a fellow former naval officer who had written 23 books since leaving the service.

Mr Day, of Spalding, said: “I got in touch with him about my idea of writing the book but I wasn't sure people would be interested, he told me ‘why should your story die with you?’. I sat down, started writing and two years later the book came out.

“I have never written a book before but I found it relatively easy on the computer as I could go back and add bits in that I might have forgotten in that moment. I have given copies to all of my family and they said they liked it – I’m quite proud of it.”

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The autobiography follows Terry’s journey around the world after he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16.

It includes various comical characters he met on the way, life changing experiences and other challenges including when he received the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Bronze Marine Medal award after saving the life of a drowning woman in 1975.

During his retirement, Terry spent 10 years being a pilot for the town’s water taxi and has been part of The Royal Naval Association in Spalding for 17 years.

The book is being sold in Bookmark, in The Crescent in Spalding, for £23. You can also purchase it online by visiting lulu.com/shop.

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