Latest news with #PrinceAlbertJacob
BBC News
18-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Event to celebrate Knowle WW2 RAF veteran's 100th birthday
The 100th birthday of a World War Two RAF veteran will be celebrated at an event organised by the Royal British Albert Jacob, known as Jake, will mark his "incredible milestone" with family and friends at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on former Great Britain athlete was 17 when he joined the forces in 1943, but like many Black servicemen, he would have to wait decades for official recognition, said the RBL, only gaining the medals he was entitled to in 2023. Garry Stewart, RBL's community engagement officer, said it was important to "come together as a community to celebrate and pay thanks to Prince Albert Jacob on his momentous 100th birthday". "Victory would not have been achieved without the courage and fortitude of our greatest generation, to whom we owe our freedom and way of life," he signing up for the RAF, the teenager travelled to America for specialist training before arriving in Britain to begin military service during the height of the part of the ground crew, Jake played a vital role in keeping aircraft airworthy and ensuring the flow of supplies. When the war ended, Jake returned to Trinidad hoping his RAF skills would help him find work at the airport but was rejected. He returned to Britain in 1947, a year before the arrival of the Empire Windrush. He met his wife Mary, and the couple married in 1953 despite fierce disapproval from her family, who refused to attend the wedding. Their early years were marked by hostility, facing racist has previously described being treated as a "nonentity".After the war, Mr Jacob became a post office manager and settled with his wife in Knowle, Solihull. He also achieved success as an athlete, representing Great Britain as a runner in the 1950s. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
09-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Black and Asian people went overboard for Britain, says WW2 veteran
'Most black people went overboard and tried hard to make sure that they did their best for Britain,' says Prince Albert Jacob, a 99-year-old veteran from Trinidad who joined the RAF in 1943. Sat in a hotel lobby in London after a busy week of VE Day celebrations, Jacob describes feeling disappointed at findings from a recent survey that showed British people remained largely unaware of the black and Asian contribution to the second world war. 'That was my experience. Most of us tried our best to do our best for the country. I don't want to upset anyone, but I think it shows ignorance. How can you not know? Especially today with what's going on in this world,' he says. Jacob, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, left life as he knew at 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes. He still remembers the day the allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. 'I was stationed in Carlisle at the time. It was a shock. I wouldn't say you couldn't believe it, but it was a shock. It was a fantastic experience in the sense the first thing that comes to mind is going home. I'm going where it's warm again.' After the war, Jacobs went on to represent the GB team in running, before establishing a 30-year career as postmaster of Acocks Green post office. For 80 years, however, missing from his jackets were the war medals he was told he would receive after the war. At the time Jacob was unaware that you had to apply for the medals to receive them. That all changed two years ago, when he got talking to a neighbour. 'We had [Jacob and his wife] been living in Knowle for nearly 50 years and one day, one of my neighbours mentioned to me about the Royal Air Force. I told her that I used to be in the air force during the war and she couldn't believe it. I gave her my details and she got in touch with the military about my medals.' His face beams as he remembers the day the war medal, defence medal and a veteran's badge finally arrived in the post. 'I never want to take them off. Is it the right thing or the wrong thing? I don't know. I'm just thankful that people realise the contribution and appreciate what we did,' says Jacob. On receiving the medals, the veteran was quickly thrown into the media spotlight. The organisation, Why Are West Indians (WAWI), which works to promote 500 years of Caribbean contribution to British heritage, got in contact with Jacob to share his story. Reflecting on his experience in the war, Jacob remembers various instances where he experienced racism. Yet that did not take away away from what he describes as a thrilling period of his life. 'Parts of it were definitely exciting. Part of it was new experience. We got to attend lots of dances. We definitely knew more about the English than the English knew about us.' The best day of his life, however, came two months before his 100th birthday. To round off a week of VE celebrations Jacob found himself sat one row behind the king at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday. 'I had the opportunity of the king shaking my hand and wishing me well,' he said. 'It's a dream, I'm in heaven. It's something I will never forget – the most exciting day of my life, I would say.' Celebrating VE Day will always remain important for Jacob. 'Its a chance to appreciate those [who fought in the war] that are still alive. For those who have left us, we can't thank them but we can remember them for what they have done.'
