The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Hundreds mourn black WW2 pilot
Hundreds of mourners gathered at a historic London church for the funeral of one of the last black RAF pilots to have fought in the Second World War.
Flight Sergeant Peter Brown died alone aged 96 at his home in Maida Vale, west London, last December.
His funeral service was held at St Clement Danes Church on The Strand, central church of the RAF, which can seat 600 mourners.
Mr Brown had appeared destined for a low-key funeral at a 140-capacity chapel in Mortlake, southwest London, in March, until a council appeal to trace his relatives was picked up by historians, military researchers, genealogists, community groups and the media.
Relative Brooke Alexander travelled more than 4,000 miles from the Jamaican capital Kingston to attend yesterday’s funeral.
Representatives from Caribbean community
organisations and those who helped trace his relatives were also in attendance, as well as celebrities including Outlander actor Colin McFarlane and Top Boy star Michael Ward.
Trevor Michael Georges, who plays Ed Bailey in Coronation Street, said: “When I heard about Peter, I thought it was a very sad situation and I had to come to pay my respects.
“As a youth, I was actually going to join the RAF. I was in the cadet force. But at the last minute, for various reasons, I changed my mind and decided to become an actor.
“Around 6,000 Caribbeans joined in the war effort. In a situation where every little bit helps, he made a big contribution.”
Mr Brown, who was born in Jamaica in 1926, enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in September 1943 and became one of the socalled “Pilots of the Caribbean”, carrying out missions as a radio operator and gunner.
He is one of the last, if not, the very last, among this group to have died.
After the war ended, he re-enlisted in the RAF, working as a signaller before joining civilian life.
Westminster City Council
leader Adam Hug said: “The national response to Peter Brown’s story has been overwhelming.
“Our priority has always been to ensure Mr Brown receives a fitting, dignified send-off which allows those wishing to pay their respects the opportunity to do so.”
An RAF spokesperson said: “Flight Sergeant Brown is an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served throughout the RAF’s history. We should never forget their sacrifices which have defended our freedom and kept us safe.”