At a special ceremony aboard HMS Belfast on Wednesday, a party from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force led the salute to the hundreds of women from Caribbean countries who volunteered for service with the RAF in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War 2.
The Caribbean Heroes Flag Raising event takes place annually aboard HMS Belfast, with a different theme each year to remember the many ways in which Caribbean people have given service to the nation and the Commonwealth. The key moment in the ceremony is the raising of the Jamaican national flag and the Windrush banner and a minute’s silence to remember the fallen.
It is an honour be here and to be able to pay tribute to the Caribbean women who served with courage and distinction. Like us they were volunteers and in this, the 100th anniversary year of the RAuxAF, we have actively sought to remember all those who have served in the various Reserve and Auxiliary units of the RAF during the last 100 years.
Air Vice-Marshal Munro
Commandant General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The ceremony was attended by the High Commission representatives, civic dignitaries and military personnel from the three services.
