God was a fable to Frank and his family. His father was in the Royal Navy but was killed whilst on board a troopship in 1942. Even though his father did action, Frank decided to join the Royal Navy, and learned how to smoke, drink, curse, and chase girls. Thirteen years later he became a Chief Petty Officer, and found he had contracted an incurable disease. Going ashore in Long Beach California, he was befriended by three American teenagers who shared the Gospel with him, causing him to be very angry. On returning to the ship, he met a vicar on the gangway who took him to his office, and there Frank's life was changed.