Born in Jamaica, he served in the R.A.F. during the second world war. Along with other Jamaican airmen, he was ordered to leave the service at the end of the war. He returned to Britain as part of the first major wave of West Indian immigrants on the S.S. Empire Windrush in 1948. His involvement in local politics started in 1982, and he became the first black mayor in 1983. He played a major part in organising the first Notting Hill Carnival.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
