First black pilot’s ID bracelet found
AN identity bracelet belonging to the first black pilot to serve with the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War has come to light.
Sergeant William Robinson Clarke was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1895 and travelled to Britain to fight in the RFC.
Sgt Clarke saw action at Abeele on the Western Front, but was shot in the spine after his biplane was attacked by five German scouts over Ypres.
He miraculously brought the plane to safety before falling unconscious. Sgt Clarke was deemed medically unfit to fly again so served as a mechanic.
The bracelet is believed to have been found on the Western Front after the war. It has now been consigned for sale by a private collector. C& T Auctioneers, of Ashford, Kent, are selling it on Wednesday, with an estimate of £ 150.