STEVE KERSHAW joined the Royal Navy in 1963 as a General List officer. A passion for flying led him to fixed-wing training in 1968. He joined 800 Squadron in 1970, flying the legendary Buccaneer strike aircraft, embarked on HMS "Eagle" until she was decommissioned in 1972. Training in the commando helicopter role followed, with a period flying the Royal Marines off HMS "Hermes". In 1974, he was posted to the last Royal Navy Buccaneer squadron, embarked on "Ark Royal", following which he was shore-based at RAF Honington in Suffolk, where he remains near his family.