Dr Simon Harris

Simon Harris is a retired consultant anaesthetist and is married with two children. His great-great-grandfather fought under Nelson's direction at Boulogne in 1801 and later rose to the rank of vice-admiral. His grandfather commanded the Firedrake at Heligoland Bight in 1914 and was in the Canada (under Jellicoe, at Jutland) in 1916; an uncle was in the Warspite (under Cunningham, at Matapan) in 1941. The strong family connection with the sea triggered his lasting interest in the history of...See more

Simon Harris is a retired consultant anaesthetist and is married with two children. His great-great-grandfather fought under Nelson's direction at Boulogne in 1801 and later rose to the rank of vice-admiral. His grandfather commanded the Firedrake at Heligoland Bight in 1914 and was in the Canada (under Jellicoe, at Jutland) in 1916; an uncle was in the Warspite (under Cunningham, at Matapan) in 1941. The strong family connection with the sea triggered his lasting interest in the history of the Royal Navy and, in the early 1970s, the sale of a pewter chamber pot salvaged from Cloudesley Shovell's sunken flagship - the Association - brought this formidable mariner to the author's attention. During the ensuing 45 years, he has been firmly following in the wake of the unfortunate Shovell and his two principal naval patrons: Christopher Myngs and John Narbrough. Sixteen years ago, his Sir Cloudesley Shovell: Stuart Admiral was published by Spellmount, and his other publications are RBK: A Very Parfit Gentil Knight and The History of the 52nd Light Infantry in the Great War 1914-18. Simon Harris has lectured extensively on the wounds of Horatio Nelson, the 52nd Light Infantry in the Great War, Christopher Myngs, John Narbrough and (naturally) Cloudesley Shovell. See less