PERSONAL STORIES: Doug Laybourne 
Interviewed in Portsmouth, July 2005:
Different Strokes: How old are you, where were you born and how long, have you been a stroke survivor?
Doug: "I’m 65 years of age, born in Rowlands Gill, Co. Durham; a Stroke Survivor for over 3 years." .......(click on pic note Tax disc)
Different Strokes: What was your occupation(s) and when?
Doug: “Apprentice joiner 1956/1959; Royal Navy in Communications and Electronic Warfare Branches 1959/1981; Social Services Hants 1982/1985; Prison Service (From Landing officer HMP Winchester to ‘Lifer’ Case Officer HMP Kingston, Portsmouth) 1985/2001;National Statistics from Sept’ 2001 as a p/time telephone interviewer.”
Different Strokes: Of all your experiences, which occasion or event sticks in your mind most?
Doug: : “Entertaining my shipmates on various warships including HMS Troubridge, HMS Juno and HMS Devonshire and the crew of the Soviet Kashin Class guided-missile destroyer, ‘Zderdshanny’ in Odessa, Ukraine in 1976. The ‘Obratsovy’ Also a Kashin Class guided missile destroyer, was visiting Portsmouth at that same time.”
Different Strokes: What has been your proudest moment and what was the happiest occasion in your life?
Doug: “The proudest moment: Applause of the audience on completion of The Festival of Remembrance at Portsmouth Guildhall in November 1989 when I was co-producer of the event with Capt. Peter Heming MVO.
Happiest occasions; were my Marriage to Lorraine and the Birth of our two children, Diane and Michael.”
Different Strokes: Since being disabled by your stroke, what do you hope the future will bring?
Doug: " The ability to sing in tune again and eventually publish my book."
Different Strokes: What is your favourite tipple when available and what do you usually prefer when out with friends?
Doug: “Red wine or dry white wine spritzers made with soda water.”
Different Strokes: When you were active in the past, what activities did you enjoy most?
Doug: “Football as a younger man; playing in HMS Devonshire’s volunteer band; yachting and entertaining with my guitar.”
Different Strokes: Do you have any particular hobbies/activities you are still able to enjoy?
Doug: “Using my computer for writing my book about the loss of HMS Sheffield and editing the RNCCA and our local Different Strokes’ newsletters. (I have been a published writer in the Hampshire and Northumbrian County magazines, Ships Monthly and the Chichester Observer).”
Different Strokes: Which big screen film has entertained you most and who was the screen actor/actress you liked most?
Doug: “Film: Calamity Jane 1951. Favourite Stars: Doris Day and from other films, Joan Crawford.”
Different Strokes: Outside of the media of music, films and TV, who do you admire and respect most?
Doug: “Nelson Mandela.” "There is no easy walk to Freedom, Anywhere"
(Click on the picture to see my Dad in 1943; before he was killed... ... in Action on 8th APRIL 1945)
Doug: When a Boys’ Instructor at HMS Ganges in 1967, aged 27.
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Fast-forward to May 2008:
"I'm now completely teetotal; have my book on the back burner awaiting a publication opportunity; drive my motability car; Administrator of this website; a member of a local Constituency Party's Committee and publish/print the Party's policies in booklets; I'm also Treasurer of the DS Portsmouth Group."
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