WW2 Barbados Second Contingent. Another 12 men from Barbados volunteered to join the RAF during WW2. Six would die and six would live and this is their story.

The WW2 Barbados Second Contingent were recruited specifically for the RAF and left Barbados in November 1940 to join the armed forces fighting World War 2.

The 12 men selected included Errol W. Barrow, who would survive the war, enter politics and eventually become Barbados’ first Prime Minister (1966 – 1976).

It also included Grey Doyle Cumberbatch born 1921 in St Lucy, Barbados.

WW2 Barbados Second Contingent

The Second Contingent consisted of twelve men:
Charles Parnell King,
J.S. Partridge,
Arthur Adolphus Walrond,
J.L.L. Yearwood,
Mark Radford Cuke,
Errol W. Barrow,
Grey Doyle Cumberbatch,
Andrew P.C. Dunlop,
H.E.S. Worme,
G.A. Barrow,
A.O. Weekes,
Bruce F.H. Miller

Subsequently killed were: Sgt. Charles Parnell King, Sgt. Arthur Adolphus Walrond, Pilot Mark Radford Cuke, Sgt Grey Doyle Cumberbatch, Flying Officer Andrew P.C. Dunlop, Pilot Officer Bruce F.H. Miller.

 The First Contingent, the Harold Wright Contingent as it became known, sailed 27th July 1940 and was recruited for the forces generally. However, the Second Contingent was recruited for the RAF and departed Barbados in November 1940. The 12 men selected included Errol W. Barrow, who would survive the war, enter politics and eventually become Barbados’ first Prime Minister (1966 – 1976). [Source: Barbados at War 1939-1945 by Warren Alleyne privately published 1999 p.9]

Commemorative Stamp Set 2008

All were commemorated on a stamp set issued by the Barbados Postal Service in 2008.

Flying Officer Errol Barrow – Avro Lancaster B Mk

He survived the war, entered politics and became Barbados’ first Prime Minister 1966 – 1976

Wing Commander Aubrey Inniss – Bristol Beaufighter Mk V1C

Wing Commander, Aubrey Inniss, DFC, wartime fighter ace, was born in Barbados on November 21, 1916. He joined the RAF in January 1939 on a service commission and by September when war broke out he had been trained and was posted to 236 Squadron, flying the Blenheim 4Fs on anti-shipping duties. On September 23, 1940 Inniss had his first kill when he shot down a Heinkel He 111. In 1941 he was posted to the 248 Squadron, flying the Beaufighter which was a powerful and much faster aircraft with four 20mm cannon and six machine guns. Patrolling from St. Eval in Cornwall to as far as the Bay of Biscay, he was able to shoot down two Ju 88s in January and March 1943. In July of the same year he was awarded his DFC having added another victim to his tally. He was later promoted to Wing Commander and ended the war with seven (7) kills. Aubrey Inniss retired from the RAF in 1958 and along with his wife Ruth, ran a fishing pub at Sheepwash, North Devon. After his wife‘s death in 1975, he spent most of his time in Barbados and died there on January 30th, 2003 at the age of 86. [source: http://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com/?p=421]

Aubrey took part in the Battle of Britain. [source: http://www.bbm.org.uk/pilots-ba.htm]

Warren Alleyne (Telegraphist 1) – Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX

The author of “Barbados at War”