Tributes are being honored for a courageous World War Two veteran belonging to the Windrush Generation who passed away at the age of 100. Gilbert Clarke, who enlisted at 17 from Jamaica to combat Hitler’s Nazi regime, was remembered in 2023 during a poignant visit to a cemetery in Belgium by the Daily Mirror. Gilbert, a former RAF Leading Aircraftman, vividly recalled the overwhelming sight of planes during D-Day.
British West India Regiment Heritage Trust (BWIRHT) Chair, Paul Chambers, described Gilbert as a symbol of excellence and a National Treasure. He highlighted Gilbert’s commitment to preserving the memory of Black Caribbean servicemen and acknowledged his significant contributions to the BWIRHT and remembrance activities.
Gilbert, born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was inspired by the tales of First World War West Indian soldiers and made the brave decision to join the Royal Air Force at 16 during World War Two. He played a crucial role in supporting military aircraft with radar and radio systems during the liberation of Europe in 1944.
Sue Liburd, a British army veteran and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, emphasized Gilbert’s pivotal role in shaping British military history and the importance of recognizing the shared efforts of the Commonwealth nations during wartime. Gilbert’s legacy as a living history of Caribbean wartime contributions was greatly cherished.
Gilbert, a loving father of eight from Plaistow, East London, and grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, worked as a TV and radio serviceman post-war. He expressed his sense of duty and commitment to fighting for a better world in a past interview, emphasizing the necessity of taking action against potential threats like Hitler.
As one of the few remaining Caribbean veterans of World War Two in the UK, Gilbert’s passing signifies the loss of firsthand testimonies and lived memories of a significant era. His legacy will endure through the lives he touched and the historical visibility he restored for Caribbean veterans in the UK.