A book by Clement Ricahrds exploring the largely untold story of German U-boat activity in the Caribbean during World War II has unexpectedly helped reconnect relatives in Dominica and St. Lucia.
Richards, whose recently released book “Sea Wolves in Warm Waters: The U-Boat Battle in the Caribbean” examines the impact of wartime submarine attacks in the region, said in a press release that the publication is already generating personal stories that reach far beyond the pages of the book itself.
One such story emerged shortly after Richards appeared on DBS Radio’s Connecting the Dots programme on June 13, 2026, explained the release. During the interview, he spoke about the experiences of Caribbean merchant seamen during the war, including the story of Mr. McWilliam Hector, a Dominican seaman who lost his life in a torpedo attack in 1944.
Following the broadcast, the author says 76-year-old Annaclette Theresa Hector-Leslie of Paix Bouche contacted him by telephone. According to the press release, she identified herself as one of Mr. Hector’s daughters.
The development may help answer a question that has lingered for years for another member of the Hector family. Richards explained that information provided by Hector-Leslie is expected to be shared with Mr. R. Walcott Everette of St. Lucia, who is also a son of McWilliam Hector.
Earlier this year, Everette had publicly appealed for assistance in locating his father’s relatives in Dominica. The request reportedly appeared on April 28, 2026, in the comments section of a post on the “I Love St. Lucia” Facebook page promoting the upcoming release of “Sea Wolves in Warm Waters.”
In his message, Everette explained that his father had been aboard one of the vessels attacked in 1944 around the time he was born. He said his mother had told him that his father was from Dominica and expressed hope that someone might be able to help him trace his family connections on the island.
According to Richards, the discovery highlights the deeper purpose behind the book. While “Sea Wolves in Warm Waters” documents German submarine operations in Caribbean waters during World War II, it also seeks to shed light on the personal stories of the people and families affected by those events.
The author said reactions to the publication have reinforced the idea that the subject is about more than military history.
“The Caribbean was not on the sidelines of World War II,” Richards stated. “Our people served, suffered, and sacrificed. Some never returned home. The story of Mr. McWilliam Hector is one of those stories, and I am deeply moved that this book has played even a small part in helping his children reconnect with that history and with each other.”
Richards said the incident demonstrates how historical research can help recover forgotten memories and connect present-day families with their past. He noted that one of the book’s key goals is to encourage public discussion about the Caribbean’s wartime experience and help uncover the identities and stories behind historical records.
“Sea Wolves in Warm Waters: The U-Boat Battle in the Caribbean” is Richards’ second published work. It follows his debut novel, “Indian Warner: Son of Two Worlds”.
According to the press release, the latest publication continues to attract attention across the region for its examination of a dramatic yet often overlooked chapter of Caribbean history.
