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Lt. John Henry Smythe was born in Freetown in 1915. After joining the British Colonial Force in Sierra Leone, he earned the title of Sergeant in 1939 at the age of 24.

During World War II, thousands of Africans were recruited by Allied Forces to fight in North Africa, where major battles were taking place against the Germans. In 1940, John Smythe became a Navigator for the Royal Air Force and joined the 619 Bomber Squadron, becoming one of Britain’s first black airmen, fighting on the frontlines in Europe.

After flying about 22 missions successfully, in November, 1943 his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner by German soldiers. After spending several months as a Prisoner of War, he was freed in 1945 and returned to Britain.