The Caribbean Volunteers: From the West Indies to the RAF

When war was declared in 1939, volunteers from across the British Caribbean — Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, British Guiana, and other territories — immediately sought to enlist. Despite initial reluctance from the Air Ministry to accept non-white recruits, over 6,000 Caribbean men and women eventually served in the RAF alone.

They served as pilots, navigators, air gunners, and ground crew. Many trained in Canada before being posted to Britain. They flew bombing missions over Germany, served in Coastal Command, and maintained aircraft at bases across the country.

Yet they faced pervasive racial discrimination — in billets, in pubs, and from some fellow servicemen. The 'colour bar' remained unofficial but real. After the war, many stayed in Britain, becoming part of the Windrush generation that helped rebuild the country.

Their contribution was formally recognised with the Caribbean Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, dedicated in 2021.