Memorable service held for Jamaican World War II vet Peter Brown was a modest, private man who volunteered in Britain’s hour of need

When Peter Brown died alone in London without any known family, neighbors made sure that the humble 96-year-old Jamaican man who had volunteered as a teen to fight for Britain in World War II was not forgotten.

Hundreds of people – mostly strangers — touched by his story answered the call Thursday, May 25 and packed St Clement Danes Church to give the former flight sergeant a proper send-off

The Reverend Ruth Hake said that when Brown left his Jamaican home at 17 in 1943 there was no promise he’d return home — like millions of others who gave their lives in World War II

“The willingness that he showed then and the next seven years that he served in the Royal Air Force to put his life on the line on behalf of this nation is a debt that all of us who have certainly lived our lives in freedom in this country have to honour,” Hake said

“That is why there are so many people here at the funeral of such a modest and unassuming man ”

Brown was one of about 5,500 men from the Caribbean who volunteered after the RAF dropped its “colour bar” in 1939 and began recruiting in its colonies in what was then known as the British West Indies

The largest group, some 3,700, came from Jamaica

Brown

Government of Jamaica and Georgia Aquarium sign blue economy MOU

Jamaica’s Industry Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Aquarium, as the country explores opportunities in the blue economy towards national development

The signing took place at a reception hosted by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium on Wednesday, May 24, and formed part of the Minister’s two-day trade visit to Atlanta

Most of these recruits were ground staff; only 450 were aircrew

Brown trained in Jamaica and Canada and became a radio operator and gunner, flying five missions on Lancaster bombers in the final year of the war

He was one of the last of a generation that is rapidly disappearing and likely one of the last of the group dubbed the “Pilots of the Caribbean ”

The youngest of those who served are in their 90s

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In his remarks, the Aquarium’s president and CEO Dr Brian Davis explained that the Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere, is a multi-disciplinary entity, which spans scientific research, ocean conservation, education, tourism, entertainment, and guest experience “The memorandum that we sign today was made possible “from our previous meetings as well as work that we have conducted over the last two (2) years in Jamaica with local partners,” Dr Davis said

“We believe that we are in a strong position to explore working closely with the Government of Jamaica in a number of aspects,” he continued

In his remarks, Minister Hill said Jamaica was pleased to be a part of this important Blue Economy initiative and will help to drive this new initiative

He commended Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami with responsibility to Atlanta Oliver Mair whose initiative it was to partner with the Atlanta Aquarium

Under the signed MOU, there is expected to be Commercial Cooperation

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