Zed Nelson
Disappearing Britain
World War II veterans

Harold Marsh.
1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. 

Harold Marsh Joined the British Royal Air force (RAF) in 1944, having volunteered in Jamaica. He trained to be gunner and spent the remaining duration of war in the UK.

“There was a big recruitment drive in Jamaica.  They offered great prospects and travel. They said we could learn trades. It was true. I was just sixteen and a half. You were supposed to be 18, but in Jamaica you had to take a test to join the air force, and a lot of fellas couldn’t pass the test so I used to take it for them. Eventually I did it for myself and came over. In Britain the only racism at that time was on the street. In the camps there was unity between people, real camaraderie. I don’t think being Jamaican held me back, there were some fellas who were pilots that came from my home town.“