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W/O Derek Davies – A Bajan Specialist Gunner with 224 Squadron RAF Coastal Command
Derek Sewell Blackburn Davies joined the RAF on 3rd September 1942, serving for nine months in the RAF regiment. He received aircrew training as a specialist air gunner receiving his wing in April 1944 and was then posted to 224 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command joining the crew of F/L Merrington flying in B-24 Liberators hunting…
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Barbados Blackwood Screwdock (dry dock)
In July 2025 PM Mia Mottley launched the Bridgetown Pierhead Project, a waterfront development project aimed at breathing new life into historic Bridgetown. Pierhead then (early 1960s) and now (2025) pre revitalisation. This new Pierhead development incorporates what used to be the Blackwood screwdock – which was a marvel of Victorian engineering. Like the HARP…
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Belleville Village
Belleville was developed in 1885 by Samuel Manning and his brother, Thomas Manning, in partnership with George Whitfield. It was designed as a model residential suburb of Bridgetown, featuring fine homes and nearly 900 Royal Palm trees. By 1890 construction had commenced and by 1898 at least 79 houses had been completed. Some regard Belleville…
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Bygone Barbados photographs held in the UK National Archives
The National Archives UK have a wealth of bygone Barbados photographs. They formed part of the Colonial Office photographic collection – some of which have now been digitised. This collection of bygone photographs of Barbados held by the National Archives UK, in the Barbados album, is an amazing resource of 372 Barbados colonial photographs. Here…
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The Garrison Drains
The drainage tunnels at the Barbados Garrison are another interesting piece of the puzzle that makes up the history of Barbados. Rediscovered in 2011, during the renovations at George Washington House, the tunnels were unknown to most Barbadians of that time or had become a faded memory by those who may have been aware of…
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Cuba – A different perspective
This post “Cuba – A different persecutive” was originally published on 22nd March 2022 and was updated on 12th July 2025 with details of my 2023 trip to Cuba, photographs from my 2024 trip to Cuba and with details of an upcoming BMHS study tour to Cuba from 24th November 2025 to 1st December 2025.…
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The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2025
The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2025 – a glorious walk from Shiel Bridge on the west coast of Scotland to Kinnaber Links near to Montrose on the east coast of Scotland. I started TGOC 2025 at Sheil Bridge on the west coast of Scotland and reached Kinnaber Links on the east coast, to the north…
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Mike Spence reminisces: The Origins of the GIN Club, Strathclyde
These memories are now more than 50 years old and are somewhat murky, so forgive any oversights or errors you may find. In fact any additions or corrections would be welcomed and much appreciated. In the early 1970s, a bunch of Strathclyde boys including James Carter, Geoffrey Parkinson, Andrew Rodriguez, Bernard (Buns) Corbin and myself…
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Richard Rose reminisces: The Barbados Rally Scene in the 1960s and 1970s
The things that stand out in my mind about the Barbados Rally Scene in the 1960’s and 70’s were the enthusiasm and sense of fun that was there among the contestants and the dedication of the marshals. I was often amazed that we would go around a corner in somewhere desolate like Archers in St…
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Searching for the names of Bajan RAF Ground Crew in WWII
This is a call for help. For over 40 years, Audrey Dewjee in the UK has dedicated herself to uncovering and preserving the history of West Indian men who joined the Royal Air Force as ground crew. Believing that their contributions had been largely overlooked, she took it upon herself to ensure they would not…
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BajanThings
Bajan history. Interesting Bajan people. Hiking in Barbados and Overseas. International Travel…