Inspirational and a pioneer... war hero Neil dies at age 99
TRIBUTES have been paid to a pioneering war hero who died just weeks short of his 100th birthday.
Neil Flanigan was a Jamaicanborn airman who inspired a generation of men and women of Caribbean descent.
He was pictured last year when, despite his age and ill health, he insisted on travelling by coach to attend services in Ypres, Belgium, to commemorate the deaths of other West Indies war heroes.
During World War II he was part of the ground crew at Bomber Command and specialised in instrument repair, providing service for the squadron that sent men to the Arnhem mission.
Queen Elizabeth made Neil an MBE in 2001 for his service and achievements.
Paul Chambers, of the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust, said: “Neil Flanigan was an exemplar of what duty, service and sacrifice stands for. Neil gave unwavering service, support and dedication to British and Jamaican communities over the years, working assiduously into his 99th year. He earned his MBE for his sterling community and voluntary support work.
Dignified
“Little did he know he was making history when he became one of the first men to step forward and answer the call in Jamaica to serve King and country.”
Neil’s funeral will be held on Friday. A series of events to celebrate his 100th birthday in May had been planned.
But now a memorial service to mark his extraordinary life has been arranged for May 24 in London. Mr Chambers added: “He was always dignified and, with a pioneering spirit of endurance and endeavour, he would make his weekly visits from his home in Camberley, Surrey, to attend events all over the country to speak about race relations or his wartime experience to people of all ages and from all walks of life.
“The measure of this man remains unparalleled among his contemporaries.
“His fruitful life has created a huge legacy. He will be missed immensely by us all at British West India Regiments Heritage Trust with whom he was very close, and no doubt all whose life he has touched.”
Neilcame to England as a teen in the
1940s to join the
RAF after a plea for volunteers.