HMS Royal Oak

Inspired by the Age of Fighting Sail since childhood, Dilip has maintained a strong interest in maritime history. In 1999, in fact, he learned to scuba dive, subsequently accumulating a respectable amount of recreational and technical qualifications. Diving shipwrecks at home and abroad, his log book records some 300 dives to 55 metres – and includes three expeditions with Worcester’s Seastyle Dive Club to dive the famous German World War One wrecks of Scapa Flow. Whilst on such an expedition in 2003, MV Halton skipper Bob Anderson showed Dilip and the Seastyle team the mark where, on the night of 14 October 1939, the U-47 torpedoed and sank HMS Royal Oak. The loss of life was high, 833 sailors, many Boys aged between 15 and 17, died that night. Immensely moved, Dilip resolved to write about the tragedy – but with a completely fresh approach.

Whereas previous books on the subject had simply told the story of that fateful night, Dilip determined to emphasise the human tragedy of it all. Consequently he traced a number of families who had lost loved ones on the ill-fated battleship, from whom he received photographs and biographical information. Survivors provided dramatic accounts too, all of which combine to make his subsequent book Hearts of Oak: The Human Tragedy of HMS Royal Oak unique.

Dilip has also researched other well-trodden World War Two stories with a similarly original approach, including the HMS Foylebank action and the Battle of the River Plate.

Of Hearts of Oak, Mr Kenneth Toop, Honorary Secretary of the HMS Royal Oak Association and himself a survivor of U-47’s torpedoes, said that:-

“I was pleased to accept Dilip Sarkar’s book but at the same time thought ‘Not another book on the Oak!’. My concern was because I had previously tried to read books on the subject but was unable to complete them. In this case my fears were groundless, however. I found Hearts of Oak compelling reading – the author transported me back in time 71 years! Anyone requiring a word picture of life for Naval ratings and their family during the period immediately after the outbreak of war could do no better than read this book. I am unable to comment on the side of the book dealing with the German side of the operation because Dilip has so exhaustively researched the subject – it read rights and so I accept the truth of it.”

Hearts of Oak: The Human Tragedy of HMS Royal Oak by Dilip Sarkar was published by Amberley in September 2010. Details can be found in the new book section of this site.

Dilip training at Stoney Cove quarry before a trip to Scapa Flow.