Skip to main content
Billy Strachan, 1921-1998 by David Horsley
Inspirational life story of a Caribbean RAF pilot, civil rights pioneer, lawyer, internationalist and communist

BILLY STRACHAN’S is a truly remarkable story.

Born in 1921 in Kingston, Jamaica, he came to Britain in 1940 in answer to the call for recruits to fight against Hitler. What he didn’t realise was that he would have to find his own fare to Britain and this he did, travelling on a fruit ship to Bristol from where he made his way to London.  

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Winston Pinder
Features / 23 May 2026
23 May 2026

A lifelong communist and community organiser, Pinder helped shape anti-racist and anti-colonial activism in Britain while dedicating himself to youth work and collective struggle, writes David Horsley

(L to R) Claudia Jones on the cover of the Young Communist Weekly Review (US), October 1938, Claudia Jones and Betty Gannett (CPSU theoretician) arrested after their bail was revoked July 17, 1951 / Pics (L to R) YCL/CC, Public domain
Features / 21 February 2026
21 February 2026

On the 121st anniversary of communist Claudia Jones’s birth ROGER McKENZIE looks at political events that shaped her, and those she helped shape

Sir Richard Acland Labour MP arrives at the Houses of Parliament for its historic opening, October 26, 1950
Features / 27 November 2025
27 November 2025

MAT COWARD tells the story of the eccentric founder of a short-lived but striking experiment in ‘vital democracy,’ who became best known for giving away his estate to the nation

IN THE BEGINING: Carnival band photo taken by Dr Ted Hill, in Port of Spain in the early 1950s and made available in public domain by his son John Hill
Features / 23 August 2025
23 August 2025

DAVID HORSLEY reminds us of the roots and staying power of one of the most iconic festivals around