Special event will celebrate a lifetime of dedication and commitment to recording and sharing history
This unique and long-awaited event, in support of and at The Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge, celebrates a lifetime of dedication and commitment to recording and sharing history, which has culminated in the publication of over fifty books by the author and historian Dilip Sarkar MBE. Having been fascinated by the Battle of Britain and Spitfire stories since childhood, Dilip has enjoyed a close personal relationship with many of The Few. His interest is driven by the human experience of war, and especially sharing the deeply moving stories of casualties.
The Master of Ceremonies introducing Dilip Sarkar is the author’s old friend Squadron Leader John Peters, the former Gulf War PoW and co-author of the globally best-selling memoir Tornado Down. John, a Trustee of the RAF Club, has contributed the foreword to Dilip’s Spitfire Down.
As well as all the remarkable museum and Bunker itself, there will be three talks held on the day.
Session 1: Meet the Author
Squadron Leader John Peters introduces the day and Dilip Sarkar, the pair discussing inspiration – John’s to become a fighter pilot, Dilip to write about fighter pilots – motivation, and exactly what drives someone with a stressful full-time job to research, write and publish over 50 books!
Session 2: 'Spitfire Down'
In Dilip’s new book Spitfire Down he explores the stories of fourteen pilots who failed to return, all killed, either in action or flying accidents, whilst one, Flying Officer Buck Casson, was brought down by a German ace over France and captured. In his uniquely illustrated presentation, Dilip will also reveal the virtually unknown story of ‘The Baby of the RAF’, Sergeant Geoffrey Painting, the youngest RAF pilot to die during World War Two, reported missing off the French coast in 1941, aged 17.
Session 3: 'Forgotten Heroes of the Battle of Britain'
Published alongside Spitfire Down, Forgotten Heroes of the Battle of Britain tells the detailed stories of a number of exceptional airmen who defended Britain in 1940 – but whose stories are less-well-known than perhaps they should be. This is a book that was researched and written with the full cooperation of the families concerned.
For more information, please see the Battle of Britain Bunker website.
Ticket link.
