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

[Brian]

Thanks guys - great stuff.

I note that more than 300 West Indians flew as aircrew with 90 decorations being awarded, including seven DSOs and 64 DFCs. I gather that many of these were 'white' West Indians whereas my specific interest is in 'black' West Indians.

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

More names that have come to prominence. Information would be appreciated.


Errol Walton BARROW (45 missions) First president of Barbados
Bruce F.H. MILLER DFC 103 Sqn navigator
Arthur Adolphus WALROND 15 Sqn WOp/AG KiA 29/6/43
Grey Doyle CUMBERBATCH 100 Sqn KiA 5/3/43

Arthur FLYNN KiA 1944
John ACTIE Coastal Command Ferdinand FARFAN fighter pilot 601 Sqn (but not sure if 'black')

Cheers
Brian

[DavidIsby]

There was an interesting article on blacks in the RAF in WW2 in International History Review a few years ago (I think...this is the schiolarly journal done at Simon Fraser University in BC). Included a story about an Ashanti fighter pilot who used to identfy himself for the benefit of the German Y-Service when over the continent.

The Eighth Passenger is a memoir by a member of a Lancaster crew that included a Jamaican rear gunner. I seem to recall that, some years ago, Ontario had a black lieutenant governor appointed who had been an RCAF Lancaster rear gunner.

[Brian]

Hi David

Thanks for the information. Is there any chance you can be more specific re the International History Review - how can I obtain a copy of the relevant issue? Is the 'Eighth Passenger' a book? And who was the black lieutenant-governor of Ontario you mention?

Cheers
Brian