DIVER diving underwater scuba deep sea DIVER http://www.deep-sea-diving.com


DIVER

 

 

These are just some people who's judgment I trust. Not friends, they might have been biased. They weren't friends at the beginning of this exercise anyway! There are plenty more reviews on Amazon.co.uk:

 This is what people eminently more qualified than me wrote:     

 I received this fantastic email in June 2009:

Dear Tony

You kindly posted me an inscribed copy of your book Diver, bought for me by my son for Father’s Day. I thank you – the bomb proof wrapping was awesome!

I am a mere PADI IDC Staff Instructor with some 1,800 dives under my belt but with an avid and (as yet) undiminished (respectful) passion for the deep, wrecks, dark ‘interesting things’ and being below ice.

I found myself captivated by your book and for a number of reasons, I find myself sending you this email. I will try to be brief:

Whilst I can identify with many of the technical and physiological aspects of your diving career, I have no parallels in terms of your experiences of ‘war’ - the fear, loss, sounds, sights and smells that you endured.

Your book goes a long way to conveying what it must have been like but I recognise that there will be much that cannot be committed to paper - those memories remain yours and those of the brave who experienced it.

My father was the actor Oliver Reed. I just wanted you to know that following the first losses of the conflict, he had a simple white cross erected in our garden at home carrying the words ‘The Boys’. It later bore the dates of the conflict.

Many, many times, both at the time that it was all going on (I was 21 then), and in the years that followed we and others raised a glass and respectfully toasted the ultimate sacrifices and immense contributions made by those in the Falklands.

Over the years, the four foot cross travelled with him following his move from Surrey to Guernsey and then to his final home in County Cork, Ireland where it still stands today.

Had it not been for the unselfish actions of people such as yourself, undoubtedly the losses would have been so much greater. And whilst you and your comrades may not have been recognised by the likes of Whitehall, I hope that you know there were many all over the land that saluted you then, as they do today.

If my father was alive today and having read your book I know that he would have wanted to thank you.

Sadly that’s not possible but knowing how passionate he was about it all, I just wanted to say thanks on his behalf.

I thank you too. Kind regards, Mark Reed.  

 Sir Jonathon Band:

Throughout my career in the Royal Navy I have had the privilege and honour to work with a number of Mine Clearance Divers, and each time I have been struck by their supreme levels of professionalism and dedication. Underwater bomb disposal, often in the cold waters and zero visibility of the seas and ports around the UK, is not for the faint-hearted and often requires levels of courage, stamina and sure-footedness that exceeds that expected in other military disciplines.

 Such a hazardous lifestyle creates bonds amongst its proponents that are exceptionally close, along with a unique and highly developed sense of humour (you have been warned!). The demands of commercial saturation diving are no less rigorous. In this book Tony Groom provides a fascinating, no-holds-barred account of his remarkable life and of the world of professional naval and civilian divers.
 
 
His story is gripping, humbling and highly amusing in equal measure – all the more so for the matter-of-fact manner in which he tells it. From clearing unexploded bombs lodged in ships during the Falklands war, to hair-raising exploits in the oil fields of the North Sea, he shines a light on a calling that demands the coolest of heads and extreme courage.
 
I strongly commend it to anyone with an interest in extraordinary human endeavour or the sea.
 
diving underwater scuba photographs book military 
 
 
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC. First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.
.

Major General Julian Thompson CB,OBE

Dear Tony

I read your book at a sitting, could not put it down.  It is about time this story was told. It has everything, gripping accounts, perceptive assessments of people, and humour. Sometimes I laughed until I wept.  At others I felt totally overwhelmed by the cool courage of you people.  I could not have done what you did in a million years.

I have attached something that may be of use for putting on the back.  Probably too long, but pick out what you would like.

May I wish you every success.  It deserves to be a best seller.

With very best wishes

JulianJulian Thompson
.
.
This is what he kindly wrote for the back of the book; 
 
DIVER by Tony Groom 
 
The Royal Navy Clearance Divers, not the SAS, are the British mystery unit of the Falklands War of 1982. They did not even appear in the first edition of the Official History — now put right. It is fair to say that without them it is highly likely that the British would have lost the war. But this is more than a book about the Falklands War.
  
It tells the story of some of the bravest and most professional men in the Royal Navy. The gripping accounts are spiced with ‘black’ humour of the sort that only men engaged in a dangerous profession can really appreciate. Read this book and you will learn why. You will want to turn every page.
 
Julian Thompson Commander, 3 Commando Brigade Falklands 1982.
 
This is what Ex Commodore Michael Clapp. (Commander Falklands’ Amphibious Task Group in 1982) wrote; 
 
Professional divers such as Tony Groom live ‘on the edge’. As Tony makes clear this is not the life for everyone but the rewards in friendship and excitement make up for much stress and risk. As the old naval saying goes, ‘If you can’t take a joke, you shouldn’t have joined.’
 
When they had a rare spare moment, the two teams also helped with the wounded and the prisoners of war.   The debt owed to these men was recognised in the number of awards given to them. Man for man their number of awards exceeded any other unit’s ‘down south’. Quite extraordinarily, this has had scant recognition since the conflict was over. The Stanley War Memorial did not list them and the first edition of the Official History made no mention of them. Thankfully, both omissions have been rectified in the past year 2007.
 
Tony Groom’s story will be recognised by the other divers in those alarming days in San Carlos Water. His tale fills some gaps and is long overdue. I salute them all but his story does not stop there. Tony has also given us a remarkable insight into the lives and courage of many civilian divers since he retired from the Royal Navy.Michael Clapp and Mick Fellows
 
Michael Clapp CB. Royal Navy retired.
.
 
Mick Fellow, one of the UK's most decorated bomb and mine disposal experts, wrote; 
I have known Tony since he first joined me as a ‘Baby Diver’ on that fabulous Funafuti minefield clearance trip in the tropical waters of the South Pacific in 1977. I also had the pleasure of his company, and a lot of other like-minded very professional guys, during the Falklands Conflict and on various other exciting excursions around the World until I left the service in 1990.
 
Tony’s book epitomises the ‘esprit de corps’ of the Royal Navy’s Clearance Diving branch and the close knit camaraderie of the commercial offshore diver and he spells out his experiences with humour in an open and honest way  – as he remembers them!  They were a bloody good bunch of hard working guys exercising a trade that they had so painstakingly learnt. Albeit practicing some of it for the first time since the Second World War. Much of the time whilst the enemy was still actively trying to kill them!
 
I had the privilege and honour to serve with this band of underwater pirates for 30 years and still enjoy the company of many of them at work and at play. Pusser Hill, my old Chief Diver back in 1959, used to call us “Gods own chosen people” – he might have been right.  
Mick Fellows MBE. DSC. BEM.
Director of Fellows International.
 


 
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! January 7, 2010
By  Yvonne E. Dreyer "DiveBrat" (South Africa)  

What an awesome read! I am a diving instructor who frequently dives with sharks and thought that was quite exciting, but it does not compare to the excitement and adrenaline rushes a Royal Navy or Commercial diver experiences on a daily basis.

I do not normally enjoy autobiographical books, but this book changed my views. It is easy to read, flows naturally, and makes you feel as if you are there sharing the experiences of the author. I especially enjoyed the humour that had me rolling on the floor laughing at times. Will definitely make it a point to look out for more books by this author.

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Diver - it's amazing, 18 Jun 2009
By  Jelly H "Jenny" (Isle of Wight) - See all my reviews

I don't usually write reviews, but after I read this book, I felt I had to on this occasion.

I felt I almost knew Tony Groom, as sitting reading the book I felt as though it was being told to me personally. Almost like sitting with a friend who is telling you stories that one minute can make you sad, or amazed and have you laughing out loud the next.

I was really moved and having family that have served in the forces understood more about what you in particular, but also others, have to go through. It is hard to put into words how much I enjoyed his book, surfice to say not much housework got done. I look forward to reading more of his work. 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Diver, 18 Jun 2009

This is one of the best books about diving I have ever read. Tony Groom describes his training as a navy clearance diver with humour - making the reader laugh out loud. The second part of the book deals mainly with the Faulklands conflict and is both exciting and poignant. There's something for everyone in "Diver".

 
 
5.0 out of 5 stars Why only 5 stars, 15 Jun 2009
By  Adrian F. Davies (Cardiff, Wales.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Its hard to believe that some of the incidents actually happened. You will want to read this from cover to cover in one session. Don't read this in public unless you want to be the centre of attention as you will be giggling or even crying with laughter in places. There are only two bad things about this book - its too short and Tony has not done a sequel! 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable, 16 April 2009

This book is an absolute joy to behold. The mixture of humour, action, insight and detail urges you to read and continue turning the pages. It is not just for divers, in fact anyone who has an interest in life and how other peoples lives are affected and governed by circumstance will find this book irresistable. Buy it, read and enjoy it. Excellent. 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes hilarious, always riveting, 20 Feb 2009

A great book about a group of men of whom we seldom hear - Royal Navy Clearance Divers.

This is a really interesting book for any fan of firsthand accounts of military history and personal endeavour.

From the ups and down of initial training to active service in the Falklands, where the divers not only dive, but get tasked to clear unexploded bombs, through to the post-service experiences of commercial diving it is a fascinating account. Worth buying for the Nigerian anecdotes alone which are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.

If, like me, you are a recreational diver AND interested in military history it ticks boxes on both counts.

Seriously. Buy it. It's one of my top five. 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars An honest and superbly written account of life underwater, 19 Jan 2009
By  K. J. Bartlett "Bubblehead" (South Wales in body, Sharm in mind) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

In this brilliantly told story of Tony Groom's career in diving, you can laugh, cry and be inspired all at the same time. His open and honest accounts of the Falklands leaves your mind reeling from the fear and bravery of all the sailors and soldiers involved. Tony does not try to big himself up nor does he try to be modest about his own and other people's actions, it is honest, open and accurate.
Diver is full of hilarious stories of Royal Navy life and the chapter on "jack speak" is about as hardcore as it gets!! "Pet" would be proud...
Sippers Shippers? 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Ever Diving Book, 15 Jan 2009

This is a superb and very funny factual book about Navy and professional diving. Will be appreciated by all non diving and pressure heads alike. Worth every penny. 
 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars DIVER - By Tony Groom., 6 Jan 2009
By  Mr. S. J. Pearson "Steve Pearson" (Peterborough, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Diver

What an absolute first class read from start to finish.. All the cliches about not being able to put it down apply here.. I stayed up all night!
These guys really are the unsung heroes of the British Military machine in general and the Falklands Conflict in particular.. Until now that is. Tony Groom tells it like it is, with a nicely balanced combination of black humour and a sprinkling of the technical side of things but keeping it entertaining and easy to follow..

I would urge anyone to buy this book and to tell all their friends to as well.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Of The Best, 4 Feb 2008
By  Christopher Roddis (Spain)
Being confined to hospital and totally bored, I received a book I had recently ordered by Tony Groom titled DIVER.Being an ex- navy diver myself this book made me laugh, cry, and remember all the good times and friends I had.This book has not been written after month's of contemplation but by a young man at war, written between being scared to death and giving thanks that you and your mates survived hell. Little has been known about the Clearance Diving branch and few know just what they do, they are not high profile and have been given little attention by the media.

They evolved during WW11 and for the first time since the end of the war they have marched at the Cenotaph Parade in 2007, they truly deserve their place as they have earned it many time's over. The drop-out rate of hopefull's to this branch is similar to that of the SAS, their training is long and grueling.

When these lad's go to work/war they do not carry a 50lb burgen's with a change of dry clothes or carry 7.62 weapon. " No " they are given a rubber dry suit a specialist diving set and a diving knife, they take with them year's of training, aspre de core and a TSUNAMI of adrenaline and GUT'S.

 They are the " THE UNDERWATER SAS "

  
 
5.0 out of 5 stars DIVER EXCELLENT MONEY WELL SPENT. 17 Jan 2008
By  DEE GEE (ESSEX UK)

Diver is a honest account of TGs experiences as a fleet clearance naval diver.It incorporates his time during the Falklands conflict. Sometimes humourous sometimes sad and thought provoking but not over dramatised or depressing. My husband heard TG on the radio and we saw a copy at the boatshow here we met TG after chatting I commented what a nice guy he was the ordinary nice guy next door. Except he is not ordinary and nor are the men he served with. Without his story we wouldn't be aware of the bravey and proffesionalism of these unsung hero's. I would like to thank them for what they did and guarantee you will not be disappointed.

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Diver - It just has to be read, 10 Jan 2008
By  R. McCabe "Mac McCabe" (Australia)

Finally, it's great to read a book with a very serious factual side to it but also with a lot of humour in it. Royal Navy Clearance Divers are without doubt a special breed. The comradeship comes across clearly in this book, as does the fact that the guys work hard and play hard.

The book recalls some fascinating events that have taken place during Tony's career to date. His account of the Falklands is awesome - so few people know what the RN Clearance Diving Branch contributed towards winning the conflict. You get the feeling that he has finally got it off his chest. It makes you glad that you weren't there - scary stuff, as is Tony's account of commercial diving.

If you're after a book about the technical aspects of diving, this book is not for you. If you're after an interesting, serious but often lighthearted read, then this book is for you, whether your 18, or 80. Once you read the book, you'll want to buy another as a present for someone else. Highly recommended.

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Diver The Very Best !, 7 Jan 2008
By  eye in the sky "Warrior Of The Night" 

You must not miss this one from Tony Groom a brilliant account of a life as a clearance diver in the Royal Navy and as a Commercial Diver,tremendously funny,technically brilliant and very well put together, could not put it down. when is the next one out Tony ?

 

 
4.0 out of 5 stars A long overdue account of a little-known subject, 7 Jan 2008
By  P. Holliday (Portsmouth, UK)

Tony Groom's career as a Navy Clearance diver and his subsequent years in the commercial diving world are recalled as perhaps only an ex-serviceman could: i.e. with a lot of black humour. It takes a special kind of person to sign up for bomb disposal underwater, amongst other things, and Groom has written the book almost as an ad-libbed recollection of experiences.

Based on a diary, the narrative mostly comes in snippets, as we're taken through Tony's training, across the world to the Pacific before the Falklands, Nigeria, the North Sea and the horrors of Scotland are all described in detail. Some genuinely hilarious stories of navy hi-jinks, bravado and even sub-standard Ugandan 'bubble heads' are offset by the unexpected suddeness of the Falklands campaign. Indeed, as war writing 'Diver' holds its own as a story of that particular conflict.

Mr Groom's post-navy years as a saturation diver should prove equally fascinating to anyone interested in diving, and the book as a whole is a must-read for anyone interested in warfare at sea.

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Diver  A super read, 21 Dec 2007
By  Mark Riley (UK)

If you're an ex service personel, currently serving or have never been anywhere near the forces you cant fail to enjoy this extremely funny and exciting book. Tony groom describes in a simple engaging way the complexities of navy diving, bomb disposal and offshore oil diving industry, laced with a wit and frankness that is both refreshing and a pleasure.His personal account of the Falklands Conflict is at times harrowing and is a stark reminder of the brutality of war and of courage in the face of adversity. A damn good read!

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars At last !, 21 Dec 2007
By  Stan (Portsmouth)

Finally a book about the royal navy's diving branch.
This book was written from the heart by someone who knows and loves his chosen profession.
It has the right level of humour and seriousness and leaves you wanting more. A damn good read! I hope he writes more, I for one will be buying any future novels by this author.

 

 
5.0 out of 5 stars The best diving book ive ever read!!, 20 Dec 2007

This is a fantastic book about job that very few people have any knowledge about. It seems honest and frank. Sometimes you feel as though Tony Groom had it easy flying around the world enjoying himself.

Then with a big bump you are made fully aware that amongst all the fun and frolics there was a very real danger he might get killed. This book is a very addictive read and opens up a lot of questions about the reality and sense of war. But gives you plenty of insight to life in the Senior Service and the comradeship you can only get in the armed forces.

 
 

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