Prime Minister tweets for help to find family of WWII RAF veteran before his funeral
The Prime Minister has called for people to unite and help find the family of one of the RAF's last Second World War 'pilots of the Caribbean' who has died aged 96.
Flight Sergeant Peter Brown, who served as a Wireless Operator on Lancaster bombers, died alone in his flat in London's Maida Vale on 17 December 2022, with no known family to attend his funeral.
To encourage people to help find his next of kin before the veteran's funeral on 29 March, Mr Sunak tweeted: "Flight Sergeant Brown is an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served the RAF.
"We've... arranged for a RAF trumpeter to attend the funeral, alongside a senior RAF officer."
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer MP and Lord Mayor of Westminster Hamza Taouzzale have also tweeted their support for the campaign.
Mr Wallace said: "All hands on deck!
"Let’s see if someone out there can help?"
The campaign to find Flt Sgt Brown's family, so they can attend his funeral, is being helped by Recognize Black Heritage and Culture, a community-based social enterprise providing a bridge to the African Caribbean community.
British Army veteran Garry Stewart from Recognize reached out to Forces News in the hope that the message could be shared with the Armed Forces community.
He said: "Ex Flt Sgt Peter Brown from Jamaica is one of many thousand of Caribbean service personnel who served in the RAF during the Second World War.
"Despite his heroic service he died with no known family, yet it’s heartwarming to see the Caribbean and military communities plan to turn out to give him the send-off he deserves.”
In addition, Recognize member Michael Ohajuru created a website so that details of the funeral can be shared far and wide – jamacianww2airman.weebly.com.
The funeral service is due to take place at Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond at midday on Wednesday 29 March.
It will be followed by a wake at a nearby pub.
The RAF Association, Westminster City Council, the Mortlake Crematorium's undertaker and Black History enthusiasts are all joining forces to help give Flt Sgt Brown a service fitting of the vital contribution he made to the Second World War effort.
In a statement, 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."
Born in Jamaica in 1926, 17-year-old Peter Brown enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) in September 1943, passing his Aircrew Selection Board on 19 September and starting recruit training the next day.
It is believed Flt Sgt Brown travelled from Jamaica before presenting before the Aircrew Selection Board, possibly at his own expense.
For the next 20 months, Flt Sgt Brown went through basic and specialist training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, before being posted to 625 Squadron at RAF Scampton where he flew Lancasters.
He was demoted to Aircraftman Class 2 from Sergeant in the summer of 1946.
It is highly likely he was demoted due to a large surplus of trained aircrew - not due to any failing on his part.
At this point, Flt Sgt Brown re-mustered as a Mechanical Transport driver.
His RAFVR service ended on 27 February 1947, but he re-enlisted as a regular the next day and served for three years as a Signaller during which time he was promoted to sergeant once more.
Flt Sgt Brown served on No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit and then 57 Squadron at RAF Waddington.
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