West Indian aircrew WWII

[Brian]

Hi guys

I am compiling details regarding black West Indian aircrew and wonder if anyone can add to these basics?

Sqn Ldr Ulric Cross DSO DFC+ (Bomber Command navigator)
Owen Sylvester DFM (Bomber Command)
L.O. Lynch (Air Gunner BC)
Billy Strachan (BC pilot)
Ivor De Souza (served with RAAF squadron)
Vincent Bunting (fighter pilot)
Julian Marryshow (193 Squadron Typhoons)
A.O. Weekes (fighter pilor?)
E.A. Joseph (fighter pilot?)

There were probably others, as well as black Africans who flew with the RAF/Commonwealth.

Looking forward to a flood of information!!

Cheers
Brian

[kaki3152]

Just by doing a Google search, it appears that A.O. Weekes (fighter pilor?)
E.A. Joseph (fighter pilot?) flew with 132 Sq (Spitfires)

[Brian]

Many thanks Kaki - that's a start.

Cheers
Brian

[Fairlop]

Hi Brian,

Flight Lieutenant Vincent Bunting
Vincent Bunting was born in Panama in June 1918 and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. He joined the RAF at No 1 Recruitment Centre, Uxbridge, on 26 July 1940. Selected for flying training, Vincent Bunting went on to become a fighter pilot, serving briefly with Nos 134, 81 and 501 Squadrons before joining No 611 Squadron at RAF Biggin Hill in December 1942.
Promoted to Warrant Officer, Bunting served with No 132 Squadron, a Spitfire squadron then operating from newly-liberated airfields in Europe as part of the RAF’s Second Tactical Air Force. In October 1944 he transferred to No 154 Squadron, then in the process of reforming at Biggin Hill following service in the Mediterranean. Whilst leading a section of Mustang IVs from his squadron on 27 March 1945, Bunting destroyed a Luftwaffe Focke Wulf FW 190 fighter near Lübeck in Germany.
In April 1945 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and in June he received his last flying posting in the RAF, joining No 1 Squadron. Subsequently, Vincent Bunting went on to serve in administrative posts prior to being discharged from the RAF with the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 1948.

Regards,
Michal

[Chris Goss]

Lynch was a RG with 102 Sqn and the subject of a TV programme about a year or so ago; I have a photo of him

[kaki3152]

Here's a link to a combat report by Bunting:

http://www.wewerethere.mod.uk/popup/814b.html