2023 Events

Due to writing the official history in eight volumes for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, a one million word project, Dilip has had to reduce engagements this year. However…

14 September 2023: RAF Club, London – Battle of Britain Dinner with Dilip Sarkar: Dilip was delighted to be speaker at this prestigious venue and event, at the invitation of his friend of 30 years, Squadron Leader John Peters, who introduced Dilip as ‘The global expert in complete command of his subject and a brilliant speaker’. Present at the event was another friend, Baroness Hodgson, who commented that ‘Your speech was exactly the right length, fascinating, enlivened by photos – fantastic!’. John Peters later added ‘Following the wonderful Battle of Britain Dinner, where you were superb (the feedback has been excellent!), just to say thank you…it was a lovely evening and your presentation was perfect and I really enjoyed the question and answer – the way you responded to the “Big Wing” theory was customarily knowledgeable and direct.  Loved it!’

Dilip and Squadron Leader John Peters, both of whom scrubbed up reasonably well!

 

Dilip with Baroness Hodgson CBE, who described his speech as ‘Fantastic!’

 

Dilip with Wing Commander Julian Stapleton MBE, displaying the miniature medals of one of The Few, namely his late stepfather, RAF legend Air Commodore ‘Teddy’ Donaldson.

 

 

12 September 2023, Gloucester History Festival: Presented on the Spitfire, hosted by Jo Durrant, jointly with Air Marshal ‘Black’ Robertson – Blackfriars was sold out at over 200 seats, and all feedback positive for what was undoubtedly an inspirational afternoon for all.

 

Dilip explaining to a capacity audience why the Spitfire was iconic from the outset.
Air Marshal ‘Black’ Robertson presenting on his father’s wartime flying days – and a Spitfire called Connie!
Dilip and Black talking Spitfires with Jo Durrant.
Inevitably there was a book-signing!

9 September 2023: Having helped organise the ‘IWM in Conversation’ Battle of Britain event, Dilip presented on ‘Forgotten Heroes of the Battle of Britain’ and explained how he recently achieved recognition for Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park as a legitimate recipient of the Battle of Britain Clasp. Kate Ashby, the niece oa4f6e0c9-c399-4b70-bbf9-41a90668a593 (1)f FAA Battle of Britain pilot Dickie Cork, who flew from Duxford with 242 Squadron, was Dilip’s guest, and his great friend Scott Booth presented on the Laguna Spitfire Legacy Project, whilst Linda Duffield and friends of the Kenley Revival Project popped up a drop in session. A great event and a good time had by all!

 

 

Dilip signing books and meeting happy readers after the presentation in the IWM Duxford shop.
Scott Booth presenting on the inspirational Laguna Spitfire Legacy Project.
Dilip’s guest, Kate Ashby, whose uncle, Dickie Cork, a FAA ace, flew Hurricanes from Duxford with 252 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.
Linda Duffield and friends of the Kenley Revival Project more information here: bhttps://www.kenleyrevival.org

31 August/1 September 2023: Dilip was delighted to speak at 19 Squadron’s 108th anniversary dinner, and the following day present on the Squadron’s august history between receiving the first Spitfire in August 1938, and Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC leaving the Squadron in June 1941. The Squadron is intensely proud of its heritage, and Dilip was delighted to present a model of and fragments from George Unwin’s P9546, made by James Sarkar, to OC 19 Squadron,  Wing Commander Graham Crow, who also received a copy of ‘Spitfire!’ for the Squadron library.