Patrick Vernon

Celebrating 100 Remarkable Years: Honouring RAF Veteran Gilbert Clarke

This weekend marks an extraordinary milestone as we celebrate the 100th birthday of Gilbert Clarke:  an RAF veteran, Jamaican-born pioneer, and one of the most treasured living links to Britain’s wartime and Windrush legacy. His century-long journey is not just a personal triumph but a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring contributions of the Caribbean community to British history.

Born in Jamaica in 1925, Mr. Clarke answered the call to serve during World War II, joining the Royal Air Force with the bravery and determination that have defined his life. Like so many young Caribbean men of his generation, he travelled thousands of miles to support the war effort, helping to shape the course of Britain’s history while forging his own path in a country far from home.

After the war, Gilbert settled in the UK, becoming part of the generation that laid the foundations for modern multicultural Britain. His lived experience spanning service, migration, and community-building has inspired countless people over the decades.

Over the years, I’ve had the honour of joining Gilbert at numerous events, where he has generously shared his lived experience. Notably, he sat alongside me on the panel marking the 75th anniversary of Windrush at the Imperial War Museum, offering powerful testimony about service, migration, and belonging.

In October 2025, he joined the Come by Yaw remembrance organised by the West Indian Regiment Foundation, visiting the graves of Caribbean soldiers who served in World War I — a moving tribute to those who came before.

As we celebrate his 100th birthday, we honour not just his remarkable longevity, but the immense footprint he has left on British and Caribbean history. Gilbert Clarke is a veteran, a witness to defining eras, a symbol of resilience, and a beloved member of our community.

I look forward to celebrating his 100th birthday this weekend and continuing to learn from his extraordinary life.