Wing Commander, Aubrey Inniss, DFC, wartime fighter ace, was born in Barbados on November 21, 1916. He joined the RAF in January 1939 on a service commission and by September when war broke out he had been trained and was posted to 236 Squadron, flying the Blenheim 4Fs on anti-shipping duties. On September 23, 1940 Inniss had his first kill when he shot down a Heinkel He 111. In 1941 he was posted to the 248 Squadron, flying the Beaufighter which was a powerful and much faster aircraft with four 20mm cannon and six machine guns. Patrolling from St. Eval in Cornwall to as far as the Bay of Biscay, he was able to shoot down two Ju 88s in January and March 1943. In July of the same year he was awarded his DFC having added another victim to his tally. He was later promoted to Wing Commander and ended the war with seven (7) kills. Aubrey Inniss retired from the RAF in 1958 and along with his wife Ruth, ran a fishing pub at Sheepwash, North Devon. After his wife‘s death in 1975, he spent most of his time in Barbados and died there on January 30th, 2003 at the age of 86.

[Source: Barbados Postal Service]

In 2008 the Barbados Postal Service issued a set of stamps commemorating their men who served in the Royal Air Force in WW2, Aubrey Inniss is portrayed on the one to the right. More »

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.

A wonderful overview of Mr. Barrow’s career in the Royal Air Force with many interesting details and pictures published on the website BajanThings.

[courtesy Audrey Dewjee/Peter Burton]

Sgt Errol Walton Barrow – No. 9 A.O.S. – St. John’s (Québec, Nov. 25th 1943)

[Source: BajanThings]

“The Beautiful Blonde in the Bank” is a posthumously published book by Andrew Cole about his time in the RAF during World War II and flying post war.  This is an important piece of recorded World War II history, about the training of RAF aircrew in Canada.  About putting together a crew that included Sgt. Errol Walton Barrow RAF (Navigator & Bomber) and about war-time flying with 88 Squadron Bomber Command.

You can download the book or read more about this story here, on the website BajanThings.com.

A colorized photo from the book:Crew No. 31/48/416 – Graduates of Course no. 48 No. 31 Operational Training Unit RAF Debert, Nova Socia, Canada – 7 April 1944. P/O Andrew Leslie Cole RAF (Pilot) 153770, SGT Errol Walton Barrow RAF (Navigator & Bomber) 1383402, SGT Leo Leslie J Schultz RAAF (Wireless/Air gunner) AUS.424694 SGT Robert Allen “Shorty” Stewart RAAF (Wireless/Air gunner) AUS.424070 standing in front of a Lockheed Hudson.

Pictures in the article from Leo Schultz’ photo album: Training in Canada (Left) Pilot Andy Cole and Navigator Errol Barrow in their Lockheed Hudson. (Right) Navigator Errol Barrow in the navigator’s astro dome of their Lockheed Hudson.
	Errol Barrow RAF (Navigator), Leo Schultz RAAF (Wireless/Air gunner), Andy Cole RAF (pilot) taken in Brussels, Belgium in February 1945 on a 48 hour pass. Photo by Allen “Shorty” Stewart RAAF (Wireless/Air gunner).

BajanThings published the third post that features crew members that flew with Errol Barrow, PM of Barbados while he was in RAF 88 Squadron “B” Flight from September 1944 to April 1945.  This latest post is the story of Australian wireless operator gunner – Leo Schultz and can be viewed here: https://www.bajanthings.com/f-o-leo-leslie-schultz-raaf-1921-to-1990/

Leo Schultz and the crew were based initially at RAF Hartford Bridge and then at Vitry-en-Artois in France.  Leo completed 52 bombing sorties before the 88 Squadron was disbanded and he was demobbed in Sydney.The crew included

English pilot – Andy Cole
Barbadian navigator – Errol Barrow who would in 1966 become PM of Barbados
Australian wireless operator gunner – Leo Schultz
Australian wireless operator gunner – Allen “Shorty” Stewart

Previous post on English pilot – Andy Cole can be viewed here:
https://www.bajanthings.com/the-beautiful-blonde-in-the-bank-f-l-andrew-leslie-cole-afc-raf/

The first post that kicked this off on Errol Barrow can be viewed here:

https://www.bajanthings.com/errol-barrow-statesman-pm-barbados-raf-navigator-world-war-ii/

To date we have been unable to locate the family of the fourth member of the crew Robert Allen “Shorty” Stewart  [Date of birth: 5th January 1919, who joined the RAAF on 21st July 1942 at 2 RD RAAF Bradfield Park Sydney, trained in Canada, flew with RAF 88 Squadron in England and France from 20th September 1944 to 6th April 1945 and was discharged from 2 PD Appt Term RAAF Bradfield Park Sydney on 13th December 1945 – taken from RAAF Record of Service extract DGPS Record: NSW 915/79.]

[Courtesy Peter Burton]

1383405 – Gordon Archibald Barrow – Barbados – W/O – Ach/W.Op/A.G. – attested 31.12.40
P/War 17.9.42

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

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 »

Sgt Gordon Archibald Barrow

[Source: Peter Burton]

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 »

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 »

Name: SMITH, HENRY VERNON
Initials: H V
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 10 Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 20/06/1940
Service No: 39692
Additional information: Son of Vernon and Gwendolen Smith, of St. Michael, Barbados; husband of Margaret Smith.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Row A. Grave 14.
Cemetery: HONINGTON (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD, Suffolk

Whitley V – serial P4960. Hit tree on landing, broke up and on fire, Ampton Park, 3 miles of Honington airfield, Suffolk.

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

[photograph from Concise & Illustrated Military History of Barbados 1627-2007 by Major Michael Hartland]

Name: SKINNER, JOHN WALROND SEYMOUR
Initials: J W S
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 640 Sqdn.
Age: 31
Date of Death: 03/06/1944
Service No: 108951
Additional information: Son of Herbert Seymour Skinner and Gladys Cottle Skinner, of St. Michael, Barbados.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Coll. grave 27-29.
Cemetery: DREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Halifax MZ677 – crashed near Boutigny-sur-Opton, Eure-et-Loir, 18 km E of Dreux, France.

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

Name: INNISS, GEORGE HAROLD FREDERICK
Initials: G H F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 106 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 04/02/1941
Service No: 43036
Additional information: Son of Charles H. Inniss and Caroline Inniss, of Barbados. Arts Graduate of Durham University.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot L. Row A. Grave 15.
Cemetery: NANTES (PONT-DU-CENS) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Hampden AD750 – gardening off St.Nazaire. Crashed near St.Pète-en-Retz (between St.Nazaire and Nantes, Loire-et-Atlantique, France).

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

[Photograph from Concise & Illustrated Military History of Barbados 1627-2007 by Major Michael Hartland]

Photograph probably taken when George gained his wings on 23rd March 1940

[Courtesy Peter Burton/BajanThings]

1383411 – B.F.H. Miller – Barbados – Ach/Observer – attested 31.12.40 158294 – P/O – D.F. 22.10.43

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

Name: MILLER, BRUCE FITZGERALD HENRY
Initials: B F H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Nav.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 103 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 22/10/1943
Service No: 158294
Awards: DFC
Additional information: Husband of Helen Elizabeth Miller, of Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial
Reference: 16. E. 9.
Cemetery: HANOVER WAR CEMETERY

Lancaster LM314 Mission to Kassel T/O 18.00 from Elsham Wolds. Crashed at Rischenau, 9 km SSE of Lügde.
W/O K R Lee DFC
F/L P J Blurton DFC (P2)
Sgt M Sheedy P/O B F H Miller DFC
Sgt D Adams
Sgt C W Gray
Sgt C L Spink
F/Sgt G G Sveinson RCAF DFC
LG’d 28th March, 1944 Pilot Officer Bruce Fitzgerald Henry MILLER (158294), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 103 Squadron, with effect from 17th October, 1943

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

Bruce Miller DFC was navigator in Ken Lee’s crew in 103 Squadron RAF and was killed in 1943.

[Source/Photo copyright: David Fell/ 103 Squadron Website – more pictures there]

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 »

Name: CUKE, MARK RADFORD
Initials: M R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 23
Date of Death: 17/11/1941
Service No: 1383433
Additional information: Son of the Hon. H. Archibald Cuke, M.L.C., and Isabella M. Cuke, of St. Michael, Barbados. Diploma, Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Block J. Grave 40.
Cemetery: KEMPSTON CEMETERY

Aircraft and Aircrew Casualty Information Archive for Bedfordshire

Quote:
CUKE, Sgt. (Pilot) MARK RADFORD, 1383433. RAFVR. 17th November 1941. Age 23. Son of the Hon. H. Archibald Cuke, MLC., and Isabella M Cuke, of St Michael, Barbados. Diploma Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture. Killed when Blenheim L1353 (Mk I) of 51 OTU (Cranfield) lost height after a night take-off from Cranfield and struck a tree at Salford, Beds. 23.40hrs; dark night.

His observer/navigator 811075 Sgt. (Obs/W Op) John James Green, RAF (Aux AF), 24, of Crosby, Liverpool is buried at Liverpool, Anfield) Cemetery.

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

[photograph from Concise & Illustrated Military History of Barbados 1627-2007 by Major Michael Hartland]

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 »