Top aviation author Dilip Sarkar entertained a large online audience with fascinating tales of the Few when he delivered the first of a series of online talks organised by the Kent-based Battle of Britain Memorial Trust on Wednesday.

Dilip became the personal friend of many of the Few while researching his books about the Battle of Britain, and his talk was illustrated by a number of unique photographs, many from the personal albums of the aircrew he got to know.

In an enthralling talk, he highlighted his friendship with Group Captain Peter Townsend CVO, DSO, DFC*, who commanded No 85 Squadron during the Battle of Britain and achieved Ace status. Dilip pointed out that while he now tends to be remembered for his romantic attachment to Princess Margaret, in later life he devoted himself to charitable work that remains largely undiscussed.

The free online talk was the first of a series that has been arranged by the Trust, replacing physical talks that were due to be held in The Wing at Capel-le-Ferne on Kent’s famous white cliffs. Dilip will be online again to give the second talk, which will be based on some of the stories in his latest book Battle of Britain 1940: The Finest Hour’s Human Cost.

 Dilip’s talk is available to watch on the Trust’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkb70xMlpHw for a limited period.

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