By KLTV Newsdesk –

In this very special Kirklees Armed Forces TV Presentation, Eddy Smythe tells the story of his father, John Henry Smythe, a decorated Royal Air Force pilot and a role model for those at the beginning of the Windrush Generation.

John Smythe left his home town of Sierra Leone to join the RAF in 1941.

On his fifth mission, he was shot down. Although wounded, he made a successful parachute jump and was captured.

He endured brutal interrogation before having his wounds treated and being sent to Stalag Luft 1 POW camp.

After liberation, he was seconded to the Colonial Office as a liaison officer, and in this capacity, he would play a crucial role in the inception of the Windrush generation.

John would later qualify as a barrister and return to his country, where he became Attorney General. He spent his last years in Thame and is buried in St. Mary’s churchyard.

Special thanks to Eddy and his family for sharing his father’s amazing story with us. Learn more about John and his remarkable life and career here: https://www.john-smythe.co.uk/