Handsworth pupils highlight veteran's fight against racism

Schoolchildren have been learning the story of a war veteran from their city who faced racial discrimination.

Prince Albert Jacob, known as Jake, who is originally from Trinidad, joined the RAF in 1943 and travelled to America and then England repairing planes.

However, he faced racism after falling in love with a white woman - Mary, his wife of 76 years.

Pupils at Welford Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, have made a film to highlight his experiences.

After the War, Mr Jacob, now 98, became a post office manager and settled with his wife in Knowle, Solihull.

Tyler, a pupil at the school, said: "They faced a lot of discrimination - wherever they went there was always a rude comment coming straight at them.

"It was hard for him to find a job because of his skin colour.

"The best thing is his perseverance. Everyone tried to push him down but he just keeps going, it's very inspiring."

Another pupil, Faith, added: "They should have been treated as every other couple."

After paying a visit to the school to watch the film, the veteran told the children about his athletic success representing Britain in the 1950s.

"Walking into an arena with 35,000 people while holding the British flag, from home, it's the happiest feeling of my life," he said.

Recalling the racism he faced, he said: "It was ignorance - there were quite a lot of English people who had never met a black man before."

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