Council allows plaque to Caribbean WW2 servicemen in memorial gardens after 'baffling' four year stand off

Pic Glenn Parsons with a plaque commemorating the 4,000 servicemen from the West Indies and the Caribbean who trained at RAF Hunmanby Moor during WW2. Supporters had to put the plaque up on a wall in Queen Street after the town council refused to have it in the memorial gardens

placeholder image — Pic Glenn Parsons with a plaque commemorating the 4,000 servicemen from the West Indies and the Caribbean who trained at RAF Hunmanby Moor during WW2. Supporters had to put the plaque up on a wall in Queen Street after the town council refused to have it in the memorial gardens

Filey Council has finally allowed a plaque to thousands of Caribbean servicemen to go up in the town’s Memorial Gardens in time for Remembrance Day, following a lengthy campaign.

Campaigner Leeds barrister Glenn Parsons, two of whose uncles were stationed at RAF Hunmanby Moor, says he is “baffled” why it took so long for the council to agree.

He first approached the council in 2020, but after an initial positive reaction, talks stalled and a four year stand off ensued.

The change of heart appears to have followed the resignation of more than half the councillors last year.

In recent years separate Remembrance Day events have been held in Filey. People wanting to honour those from the Caribbean gathered outside a house on Queen Street in the town. After Filey Council's change of heart, everyone will come together at the town's memorial gardens this Sunday

Glenn said: “Personally I think the council failed to see the value in it, and were scared of what they saw as some sort of ‘woke’ agenda.

"It all started off at the time of George Floyd (whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer sparked worldwide protests) and the Colston Statue (of slave trader Edward Colston).

"‘Woke’ became a dirty word.

"It’s just ironic that the council is doing what we asked for five years ago which is to have two plaques – one for those from the Caribbean, one next to it to all people from overseas who came.” Following a relaxing of the military's "colour bar" in late 1943, more than 6,000 Caribbean and West Indian men volunteered to serve in the RAF. About 4,000 recruits were sent to the camp, which had been requisitioned from Billy Butlin, to do their initial training.

While many served as ground crew, as mechanics, cooks, clerks and and wireless operators, some 400 to 500 flew with Bomber Command. Around a third were killed in action.

A blue plaque honouring their service went up outside a wellwisher’s house at 85, Queen Street in 2023 after the council refused to allow it to go up in the memorial gardens. The plaque has now been signed over to the council, which has agreed to look after it in perpetuity.

It means this year for the first time there will be just one Remembrance Day event.

In recent years supporters of the plaque have gathered in Queen Street, while others attended a church service and parade followed by a short service at the memorial gardens, organised by the Royal British Legion.

Glenn, who will be laying a wreath, thanked the town’s new Mayor Wendy Fenlon. He said: "Since (the Mayor) came into office the council has been in constant touch. Previously they wouldn’t speak to us at all. We will remember for the first time, side by side. It is momentous. The good people of Filey have always been behind us.”

A formal unveiling of the plaque will take place next March, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Filey’s Royal British Legion.It is hoped that one of the last surviving Caribbean World War II veterans, 101-year-old Prince Albert "Jake" Jacob will be there.

Jake, from Knowle, who is originally from Trinidad, joined the RAF in 1943 and travelled to America and then England repairing planes.

Councillor Fenlon was approached for a comment.