605499 – P.D. Almirall – Jamaica – attested 28.10.42 – P/O Navigator UK 19.7.44
164862 – F/O – commissioned 21.4.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605492 – R.D. Brown – Jamaica – attested 28.10.4 – P/O Wirelss Operator/Air Gunner – 45 A.T. Group 2.3.44
154102 – F/O – commissioned 1.11.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605489 – P.C. Bacquie – Jamaica – attested 28.10.42 – P/O Pilot UK 1.1.44
153751 – F/O – commissioned 10.12.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605488 – V.H. Cooper – Jamaica – attested 28.10.42 – P/O Navigator UK 15.2.44
154924 – F/O – commissioned 23.12.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605484 – D.F.C. Ross – British West Indies – attested 18.8.42 – P/O Pilot #13 S.F.T.S.
55238 -F/O – commissioned 2.9.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605482 – C.W. Graham – Trinidad – attested 28.7.42 – P/O A/B UK 9.3.43
151241 – F/O – commissioned 19.2.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

605478 – J.G. Swan – Trinidad – attested 28.7.42 – Sgt. Air Bomber UK 9.3.43
54697 – F/O (W) – commissioned 26.4.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

[Picture: Dominica Legion, a branch of the Royal Commonwealth Ex Servicemen League, courtesy Gabriel Christian]

This stamp was issued in 1998 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force. It reflect the portraits of Dominicans who served with Honor as RAF Aircrew. From left to right; Wallace Wordsworth Plenderlieth, L.A. McKoy, Harold Cherberd Bryant, DFC, Clifford Severin, Edward Dyrample (AKA Edward Scobie). McKoy, Bryant and Osmunde St. Claire Alleyne were killed in action. Their names are on the cenotaph on Victoria Street Roseau next to the battlements of the old British Army Fort Young (within which a modern hotel now nestles – cannons and all). Every year the aged veterans (very few left), the Police, Scouts, Girl Guides and Army Cadets of the Dominica Cadet Corps parade by in honor to men who are considered heroes for the gallant service rendered in the fight for democracy and freedom.

FLYING OFFICER HAROLD CHERBERD BRYANT

Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Air Gunner)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 514 Squadron
Age: 32
Date of Death: 02/05/1944
Service No: 143598
Awards; D.F.C
Additional Information: Son of Gerald King Bryan and Helen Bryant of Dominica
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Block “S” Plot 4. Row U. Coll., Grave 8-14
Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN

[Courtesy Gabriel Christian]

Herman Francis Grant  EDE – F/O
Service No: 33307  Service: RAF
Trade/Branch:   Pilot   263 Sqn Gladiator
Station/Unit/Ship: HMS Glorious
Command:   Fighter
Nationality: Bermuda
Awards/Decorations: DFC
Disposal:   KIA   Age  23  yrs   Date Died:    9 Jun 1940

Equipped with Gladiators and sent to Norway in April 1940 in an attempt to give air cover for British and Norwegian forces. Operations from the frozen Lake Lesjaskag ended when Luftwaffe bombers destroyed the aircraft on the ground and returned to the UK to re-equip. In May, the squadron arrived back in Norway, this time further north and flew patrols until the Allied forces were withdrawn from Narvik. They fought continuously until 7 June, claiming 26 confirmed victories. 10 Gladiator aircraft of 263 Sqn were flown on board HMS Glorious in the early hours of 8 June for transport to the UK. Shortly after 1600hrs on 8 Jun 1940, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst were sighted. “Glorious” received her first hit from Scharnhorst at 1638hrs and sank at about 1810hrs. Also sunk were HMS Ardent & HMS Acasta. Total losses of over 1500 officers & men of the RN, RM and RAF.

Buried At: Runnymede Memorial Grave/Memorial : Panel 5
Next of Kin: Son of Ernest Grant Ede and Winifred Louise Ede, of Pembroke, Bermuda.

[Sources: CWGC - www.warship.org - MOD]

1383402 – E.W. Barrow – Barbados – Ach/W.Op/A.G. – attested 31.12.40

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 - Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

Flying Officer – Became Prime Minister of Barbados

[Source: CG]

The Barbados Second Contingent
Back row: C.P. King, J.S. Partridge, A.A. Walrond, J.L.L. Yearwood, M.R. Cuke, E.W. Barrow – Front row: G.D. Cumberbatch, A.P.C. Dunlop, H.E.S. Worme, G.A. Barrow, A.O. Weekes, B.F.H. Miller.

Subsequently killed were: Sgt. Charles Parnell King, Sgt. Arthur Adolphus Walrond, Pilot Mark Radford Cuke, Sgt. Grey Doyle Cumberbatch, Flying Officer Andrew P.C. Dunlop, Pilot Officer Bruce F.H. Miller

The First Contingent, the Harold Wright Contingent as is became known, sailed 27th July 1940 and was recruited for the forces generally. However, the Second Contingent were recruited for the RAF and departed Barbados in November 1940. The 12 men selected included Errol W. Barrow, who would survive the war, enter politics and eventually become Barbados’ first Prime Minister (1966-1976)

[Source: Barbados at War 1939-1945 by Warren Alleyne, privately published 1999, p.9]

In 2008 the Barbados Postal Service issued a set of stamps commemorating their men who served in the Royal Air Force in WW2. More »

Flying Officer

Enlisted in the RAF on 31 December 1940 and flew some 45 operational bombing missions over the European Theatre. By 1945 he had risen to the rank of Flying Officer and was appointed as personal navigator to the Commander in Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany, Sir William Sholto Douglas.

[Source: Wikipedia]

Military History of Barbados 1627-2007 by Major Hartland

Flying Officer Errol Walton Barrow of  Barbados(21 January 1920 – 1 June 1987) became his country’s first Prime Minister in 1966.Barrow enlisted in the RAF on 31 December 1940 and flew some 45 operational bombing missions . By 1945 he had risen to the rank of Flying Officer and was appointed as personal navigator to the Commander in Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany, Sir William Sholto Douglas. After the war he studied Law and Economics concurrently, taking degrees in 1949 and 1950 respectively. He also served during that time as Chairman of the Council of Colonial Students where his contemporaries included Forbes Burnham, Michael Manley, Pierre Trudeau, and Lee Kwan Yew, all destined to become political leaders in their home countries. Barrow served as Premier of Barbados from 1961 until 1966 when, after leading the country to independence from Great Britain, he became Prime Minister. He served continuously in that capacity as well as stints as Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the next ten years. He was a dedicated proponent of regional integration, spearheading the foundation of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965. Eight years later CARIFTA evolved into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), when Barrow, together with Forbes Burnham of Guyana, Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad and Michael Manley of Jamaica enacted the treaty of Chaguaramas to bolster political and economic relations between the English-speaking Caribbean territories.