Honoring St. Lucia's Forgotten Heroes: The Legacy of Local Veterans in World Wars

St. Lucia’s veterans played notable roles in World War II, especially in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and various British military units.

Many young men from St. Lucia volunteered to fight alongside the Allies, traveling abroad to join forces primarily in the UK, Canada, and the Caribbean Regiment.

For those who enlisted, military service was a mix of bravery, hardship, and exposure to new skills. St. Lucian men found themselves stationed in different theaters of the war, often in Europe and Africa.

For some, service brought opportunity and a sense of pride in contributing to global efforts; for others, the realities of war brought significant hardships, including challenging living conditions, separation from family, and dangerous assignments.

After the war, St. Lucian veterans faced limited support when they returned home, as many of the benefits provided to British soldiers were not as accessible to Caribbean veterans.

Some veterans went on to use the skills they learned to advocate for social and political change in St. Lucia, contributing to the gradual movement towards independence and the betterment of local society.

Today, the veterans are honored for their role in both world wars, and memorial services are held to remember their sacrifice and contributions to St. Lucia and the wider Commonwealth.

Reginald Cherubin: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment

Here are some veterans from St. Lucia who served in World War I and World War II:

Ebenezer Benjamin: Served in the British Army’s 5th Battalion of the British West Indies Regiment
Paul Anthony: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regimen
Gonzagne Cregg: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Auguste Allain: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Leicester Garnett: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regimen
Acti Andrien: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Paul Cox: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Henry Gaskin: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regimen
Cherubin Alexander: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Phillip Charles: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Reginald Cherubin: Served in the British Army’s British West Indies Regiment
Hugh Terence Etienne: Flying Officer-Royal Air Force
Desmond du Boulay:Royal Canadian Air Force
David Kipps Shingleton-Smith: Royal Air Force
Haynes Cyril: President of the Ex-Service League who was still alive in 2022