Black History Month: The extraordinary life of Flying Officer Errol Barrow

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we recognise the incredible achievements of Flying Officer Errol Walton Barrow, a skilled RAF Navigator and former Prime Minister of Barbados.

Errol Walton Barrow was born in January 1920 in Nesfield, Barbados. He was a gifted student and excelled academically, winning three scholarships during his teenage years. When the Second World War broke out, Errol travelled to Britain to volunteer for the RAF at the age of 22, where he was eventually selected as an Observer 9 (Navigator).

Errol completed his training in Britain and Canada, and served in a tight knit aircrew with 88 Squadron. In his role, he supported the Allied ground forces, bombing German communication infrastructure positions and airfields, where he accrued 48 bombing sorties, resulting in 103 hours and 25 mins of combat flying time.

Squadron Leader Alfred Barnes, who also served in 88 Squadron, said of Errol: "A bloody good Navigator – first class. Get you there, get you back. Never got in a flap. Lots of chaps did – at first anyway. You must understand it wasn’t always too cosy  up there. Some chaps didn’t ever settle down to it. Never saw Barrow get in a flap. A good man to have along." *

Errol continued to serve in the RAF until October 1947, when he left as a Flying Officer.

After leaving the Service, Errol studied Economics and Industrial Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, before returning to Barbados in November 1950, where he worked as a lawyer. In 1955, Errol formed the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to press for social and political reform and independence from British rule. The DLP came to power in 1961 and Errol served as Premier, leading his country to independence on 30 November 1966. In just five  years, he successfully led the country to independence from Great Britain and became the first Prime Minister of Barbados.

In his role as Prime Minister of Barbados, Errol led the country to accelerated industrial development and expanded the tourist industry, which went on to be a huge part of the Barbados economy. He introduced National Health Insurance and Social Security and implemented free secondary school education for all.

Errol served as Prime Minister until 1976. He returned to power with an overwhelming majority in May 1986, but died in office on 1 June 1987 aged 67.

*“The Life and Times of Errol Barrow” by Peter Morgan published by Caribbean Communications Inc, November 1994