Product Description

This historical record of life on board HMS Safari is based on original first-hand accounts. As the boat's leading telegraphist, Arthur Dickison had a privileged position in the crew, with access to all signals traffic and the navigation officer as his boss who gave him an insight into why they were doing what they did. Over 18 months of war patrols he kept a personal diary of life aboard Safari, which was strictly against the rules. In it he records daily events ranging from the tedium of long sea passages to stalking enemy convoys, crash dives and fighting it out on the surface. The whole range of the submariner's experience and emotion is explored here in this account. Written at the time, by a rating and not an officer, this diary offers an insight into life at sea.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #550613 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Arthur Dickison joined HMS Safari on her first commission in March 1942 and remained with her for eighteen months of war patrols in the Mediterranean as the boat's leading telegraphist.

Customer Reviews

AS relevant to the family this book is an excellent account.
P.O.Dennis Leech (H.M.S. Safaris Chef) was my fatherinlaw but spoke very little of his experiences whilst being a submariner. Unfortunately he died on th 16th of September 1981 so this book is an invaluable piece of my wifes history and has made her very proud of him and the ships company indeed. After being demobbed from the R.N. he took a goverment retraining course and became a carpenter, a proffesion he stayed in until his death. Dennis's son Steven is now domiciled in Holland and is amazed by his exploits as he didn't realise what he had been through either. All credit to the author as this is a valuable piece of history and written from a particular perspective on the lower deck a view not often portrayed.

My Father
This was my Fathers last written book before he sadly passed away on 21st July 2007. He took 4 years to write this book with failing eyesight at the time of writing. Alas the last 7 years of his life were spent in darkeness. I want to thank the comment people are taking time to make on my Father's book. My mother has the original Diary that was mentioned and is a strong legacy to his time and trial in the Navy and the war. My Father was poorly treated in Wonford Hospital Exeter Devon, and as a result died. They took away a Dad to his three daughters and his loving wife of 66 years. We have his memories of his life in the war. He was given a sea burial in Portsmouth by the Royal Navy and lies near where the Safari went down, his last wishes. I hope that he rests in peace now. His Daughter Glen.

The undersea war from a different perspective
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, it being one of the few books on British submarine service in WWII written from a lower deck view. Mr. Dickison's diaries are recounted in almost a conversational style and at times I almost imagined myself sharing a 'tot' with Mr. Dickison as he recounted his adventures on HMS Safari to a spellbound audience. His tales of the short leaves ashore are just as engrossing as his stories of battle, and all in all it is a superb account of life in HM Submarines. WWII submarine warfare (of both sides) has long interested me and I am pleased to add this book to my collection.