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“Most black people went overboard and tried hard to make sure that they did their best for Britain,” says Prince Albert Jacob, a 99-year-old veteran from Trinidad who joined the RAF in 1943.
In a London hotel lobby, after a busy week of VE Day celebrations, Jacob describes feeling disappointed at findings from a recent survey that showed British people remained largely unaware of the black and Asian contribution to the second world war.
“That was my experience. Most of us tried our best to do our best for the country. I don’t want to upset anyone, but I think it shows ignorance. How can you not know? Especially today with what’s going on in this world,” he says.
Jacob, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, left life as he knew at 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes. He still remembers the day the allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945.
“I was stationed in Carlisle at the time,” says Jacobs. “It was a shock. I wouldn’t say you couldn’t believe it, but it was a shock. It was a fantastic experience in the sense the first thing that comes to mind is going home. I’m going where it’s warm again.”
After the war, Jacobs went on to represent the GB team in running, before establishing a 30-year career as postmaster of Acocks Green post office in Birmingham.
For 80 years, however, missing from his jackets were the war medals he was told he would receive. Jacob was unaware at the time that you had to apply for the medals to receive them. That all changed two years ago when he got talking to a neighbour.
“We had [Jacob and his wife] been living in Knowle for nearly 50 years and one day, one of my neighbours mentioned to me about the Royal Air Force. I told her that I used to be in the air force during the war and she couldn’t believe it. I gave her my details and she got in touch with the military about my medals.”
His face beams as he remembers the day the war medal, defence medal and a veteran’s badge arrived in the post. “I never want to take them off. Is it the right thing or the wrong thing? I don’t know. I’m just thankful that people realise the contribution and appreciate what we did,” says Jacob.
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On receiving the medals, the veteran was quickly thrown into the spotlight. The organisation Why Are West Indians, which works to promote 500 years of Caribbean contribution to British heritage, got in contact with Jacob to share his story.
Reflecting on his experience in the war, Jacob remembers various instances where he experienced racism. Yet that did not take away away from what he describes as a thrilling period of his life. “Parts of it were definitely exciting. Part of it was new experience. We got to attend lots of dances. We definitely knew more about the English than the English knew about us.”
The best day of his life, however, came two months before his 100th birthday. To round off a week of VE celebrations, Jacob found himself sat one row behind the king at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday.
“I had the opportunity of the king shaking my hand and wishing me well,” he said. “It’s a dream, I’m in heaven. It’s something I will never forget – the most exciting day of my life, I would say.”
Celebrating VE Day will always remain important for Jacob. “Its a chance to appreciate those [who fought in the war] that are still alive. For those who have left us, we can’t thank them but we can remember them for what they have done.”
