John Winston Clarke
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John was born in Smethwick in 1963 into a poor family of recent Jamaican migrants. Their small, terraced house was only heated by coal fires and paraffin heaters, with a bath only once a week.
Successful at local state schools, John`s potential and ambition was recognized and nurtured by the RAF. Through his training as a sole black recruit, first as an airman and then as an officer, he was supported through the ranks and enjoyed a distinguished career, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan and leaving as a Wing Commander in 2011. Throughout his career. John felt protected from racism by his colleagues, and he always felt he had joined a service family.
John describes the air force as “Everything I wanted it to be “.
Media Archive – John’s Story
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John’s Full Interview
Watch the complete recording of John’s interview.
Interview Highlights
Click a question below to watch segments from John’s full interview.
