Hunt for family of one of RAF’s last black WWII veterans after he died alone

A man thought to be one of the RAF’s last black World War II veterans is in need of the hero’s send-off that he deserves.

Retired Flight Sergeant Peter Brown died alone aged 96 in his flat in London on December 17.

No family of his have been found in the last three months and it’s believed he was single with no children.

Now, a global hunt has been launched to find any long-lost relatives before his funeral on March 29.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called upon the nation to back the campaign, naming Mr Brown ‘an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served the RAF’.

Mourners are invited to attend the service that will honour a man who is remembered by his neighbours as ‘humble and cheerful’.

Mr Brown was born in Jamaica in 1926, but left at age 17 when he volunteered to help fight off the Nazis, it’s believed.

After initial training in Canada, he joined the RAF in September 1943 and trained as a specialist wireless operator and air gunner.

He flew operations in Lancaster bombers as part of 625 Squadron and was posted to RAF Scampton.

He also served in Palestine, Tripoli, Egypt and Malta until 1950, when he left the forces.

The veteran’s career continued to be impressive afterwards and he worked for the Ministry of Defence and the former London County Council.

Neighbours and acquaintances have paid tribute to ‘kind and smartly-dressed’ Mr Brown, who has been named ‘a character’.

Marcin Laszczych, the manager of Mr Brown’s building, told the Evening Standard: ‘Peter was a true gentleman… He talked about his role in the war but was humble and matter-of-fact about it.

‘One day Peter fell as he came back from the shop. That’s when his health started to get worse. Everyone looked out for him and neighbours helped him. It’s so sad we have lost a character.’

Authorities, historians and activists in the UK and Jamaica have come together to appeal for anyone who knew Mr Brown to come forward.

Mr Sunak revealed today on Twitter that the government had arranged for a RAF trumpeter to attend the funeral, alongside a senior RAF officer.

🇬🇧Flight Sergeant Brown is an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served the RAF.

I hope that the nation gets behind this @TheSun campaign.

We’ve also arranged for a RAF trumpeter to attend the funeral, alongside a senior RAF officer. https://t.co/SqPpr5T358

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) March 22, 2023

In 1940, the British Empire controlled a quarter of the world’s population and a fifth of its land mass.

More than 10,000 people joined the war effort from the West Indies, alongside millions from other former colonies.

The Imperial War Museum says: ‘It’s definitely a bit of a myth that Britain stood alone during the Second World War.

‘As an island nation Britain absolutely relied on its empire for people, for the land, for the resources, and that is really not always acknowledged.’

An RAF Spokesperson has commented on Mr Brown, saying: ‘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.’

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and MPs Johnny Mercer and Tom Tugendhat, all previously part of the armed forces, have also posted their support in the search for Mr Brown’s relatives.

Meanwhile, locals in north London are raising money for a book of remembrance or a plaque to make sure his valiant war efforts are remembered.

Mr Brown will be laid to rest at Mortlake Crematorium on March 29 at midday.

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