Douglas Reeman is a renowned British author, born in Thames Ditton, Surrey, England in 1924. He comes from an army family but decided to join the navy when World War II broke out, starting his service as a midshipman on destroyers at the young age of 16. His naval career was marked by several significant achievements, including transfers to motor torpedo boats and mentions in two dispatches. He served in various campaigns such as the Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Sea, and Arctic, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant.
Reeman's real-life experiences in the navy greatly influenced his writing career. He is best known for his historical naval fiction, written under his real name and as Alexander Kent. His works primarily focus on the Royal Navy, with many stories set during World War II or the Napoleonic Wars. His debut novel, "A Prayer for the Ship," was published in 1958, and he has since written numerous books, including the famous Richard Bolitho series and the Blackwood Family series, also known as the Royal Marines series. Additionally, Reeman penned a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences titled "D-Day: A Personal Reminiscence" (1984).
In his personal life, Reeman married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985. Besides writing, he has contributed to the art of navigation for yachting and worked as a technical advisor for films. Reeman's pseudonym, Alexander Kent, was adopted as a tribute to a friend and naval officer who lost his life during the Second World War. His writing has left a lasting impact on the genre, with his richly detailed and historically accurate naval stories captivating readers for generations.