John Jellicoe Blair - RAF Navigator

We know that John Jellicoe Blair was born in 1919 in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, however the specific date is unknown. He initially trained as a teacher and taught at an elementary school.

In 1941 Blair attempted to join the British Army and then the navy however both applications were rejected because only men of pure European descent were eligible to apply to join the British army and navy. In 1942 Blair left Jamaica for RCAF Station Moncton Canada and was sent to a training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force where he learned Canadian military and Air Force systems. He completed his basic training in Toronto, he was selected for pilot training and passed the navigators course. 

Blair was assigned to 102 (Ceylon) Squadron in December 1944 and navigated Halifax Bombers for Bomber Command. His last mission was  April 1945. By the end of the war Blair had completed a full tour of 30 bombing operations, he was praised for his service, his impeccable vision, understanding of geography and knowledge of navigation systems. In 1945 Blair was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during the Second World War.

In 1944 Blair travelled by ship to the UK and trained as a navigator at RAF Filey in Yorkshire before being posted to RAF Kinloss in Scotland. The colour bar eligibility restriction had been lifted due to demand for recruits because of the high number of casualties.

After the war Blair joined the No. 35 Squadron RAF where he worked with the Lancaster Bombers. He went on to become a navigation instructor at RAF Scampton and then a Chief Navigation Officer for No. 216 Squadron RAF before retiring in 1963.

John Jellicoe Blair passed away in 2004.