Peter Brown is at last getting the recognition he deserved

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ONE of the last surviving black Second World War fighter pilots died alone at his home before Christmas and was due to be buried at a service without his military honours.

The finer details of his life and war effort are not known after many of his personal belongings have been lost in a clearance of his flat in Maida Vale.

Peter Brown, one of thousands of Jamaicans to join the RAF, flew five operations in Lancaster Bombers in 1943.

He also served in Palestine, Tripoli, Egypt, and Malta, before working for the London County Council and the Ministry of Defence.

He was a big cricket fan and a member for many years of the MCC at Lord’s, which holds one of the only photos of him.

In his final years, Mr Brown appeared to fall on hard times. He is said to have sometimes be seen shuffling about the neighbourhood in dishevelled clothes – sometimes using string instead of a belt.

Friends of Peter Brown were determined he would be given a fitting funeral service

Without any next of kin he was due to be cremated without a fitting funeral service.

I can only tell you about his extraordinary story because a group of friends and experts have rallied around to ensure his memory is not forgotten.

Speaking from Jamaica, Major (Ret’d) Johanna Lewin JP – herself something of a legend as the first female promoted to the rank of Major in the Jamaica Defence Force – told me on Friday: “In a nutshell we are all very saddened that he died alone and that no family members have been identified. It was also distressing that until the work done by so many it was apparent that he would not get the military honours due at his service, nor the attendance of the appropriate groups.

“It is very important for us to ensure that our veterans are recognised and enjoy their last days with dignity and at least the basic comforts.

“Sadly we do not know about many of those who remained or returned to the UK. But Peter Brown is extremely important to us.”

She said that many artefacts including logbooks, wings and other items from pilots had been donated to a military museum in Jamaica, adding: “There were several thousands from Jamaica who volunteered for World War II and, though the numbers and records are somewhat sparse, many also in WWI.”

Major (Ret’d) Johanna Lewin JP

Military researcher Michael Jackson described how Mr Brown coming to Britain to fight in the Second World War would have been talked about at the time as “The Empire coming forward to help the mother country”, adding: “We can’t say he is definitely the last surviving black RAF pilot in Britain – but we think he is.

“If no one had made the effort this guy would have had a funeral and no one would have been there. Now he is going to get a public health funeral with a proper service.”

A growing group of people are, since his death, now researching his life, combing through newspaper cuttings and liaising with official bodies here and back in Jamaica.

Historian Dr Kathleen Chater said: “Black people have played a part in British society since Tudor times. Peter Brown’s was one of the more important roles, defending the country. So he, and all the others, should be remembered and commemorated.”

Mr Brown’s funeral, which is being funded by Westminster Council, is to be held at noon in the Mortlake Crematorium on March 29.

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