A tradition of loyal service to Britain since 1944

Delisser (known to all as Dennis) Bernard was born in Lucea, Hanover, Jamaica on 13th September 1928. He enlisted into the RAF in 1944 which means, like many other brave young Jamaicans, he must have added a couple of years to his age in order to sign-up.

When he first arrived in England during World War Two he was not the first member of the Bernard family to set foot in the country, nor the first to serve in a World War. Dennis’ father Herbert was one of the first West Indians to join the British West Indies Regiment in January 1916. Just under three months later, along with 1,139 other members of the Third Jamaica Contingent, he boarded the SS Verdala destined for Plymouth. What happened next was a disaster.

The Verdala was diverted to avoid German U-boats and was caught in a blizzard as it headed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship had no heating and the Jamaican troops were hopelessly ill-equipped in terms of warm clothing. Five young Jamaicans perished and around 600 suffered frost bite and exposure.

The ship later docked at Bermuda to allow the wounded to be treated. In another quirk of fate, the surgeon at the Military Hospital, a Bermudian called Bill Tucker, would also be a passenger on the Windrush over 30 years later.

Herbert Bernard had a remarkable escape. Dr Tucker worked ceaselessly carrying out around 150 amputations on stricken West Indian soldiers but Herbert survived and was eventually able to resume the journey to England.

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From left to right.

SMILLING:

Delisser Bernard

Delisser cooking up a storm (family album)

Delisser in earlier years (family album)