Cyril Baptiste

Cyril Baptiste was a Trinidadian who volunteered for the RAF in 1940, travelling to Britain at his own expense to serve. He worked as ground crew maintaining Spitfires and Hurricanes at several RAF bases in southern England. Caribbean volunteers like Baptiste played an essential but often unrecognised role in keeping Britain's fighter aircraft operational. After the war he settled in Bristol's St Paul's area, becoming part of the Caribbean community that would enrich the city. He worked for Bristol Omnibus Company and was an active member of the Royal British Legion.