Eric Hitchens was a British Royal Navy officer who served with distinction during World War II, rising to the rank of commander. Born in the early 20th century in England, he dedicated his career to naval service, which significantly shaped his family's life. His most notable contribution came during the Battle of the North Cape on 1943-12-26, when he was deployed aboard HMS Jamaica and participated in the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst. This achievement was a source of great pride for the family, with the anniversary celebrated annually in their home. Eric's career required frequent relocations across Britain and its colonies, including postings that led to the birth of his younger son, Peter Hitchens, in Sliema, Malta, in 1951. His disciplined military background profoundly influenced the upbringing of his elder son, the renowned author and journalist Christopher Hitchens, instilling values of structure and resilience. Despite the family's modest social standing in stratified British society, Eric's steadfast service advanced their fortunes and provided stability. He married Yvonne Hickman, whose Jewish heritage and more affluent background contrasted with his own working-class roots. Eric's life exemplified quiet patriotism and professional dedication, though he remained largely out of the public eye, known primarily through his son's writings and tributes. Christopher later honored his father's wartime heroism, stating that sinking a Nazi convoy-raider was 'a better day's work than any I have ever done.' Eric Hitchens passed away in 1987, leaving a legacy of naval valor that echoed in his sons' lives. His influence extended beyond the battlefield, contributing to the intellectual and personal development of Christopher, who often reflected on the tensions between his parents' worlds—his father's stoic naval discipline and his mother's cultural aspirations—in shaping his own worldview.