The importance of Barbados Independence Day

For a better understanding of what independence means to Barbados, we talked to two of our pilots, Captain Derek Haynes and Captain Ricky Ellcock, both of whom grew up on the island. But before we get to that, it’s worth mentioning their careers. Both went to the same school in Barbados, they both started commercial flying with LIAT, the regional Caribbean airline, and they both currently fly Boeing 787s for Virgin Atlantic. But if their career paths look similar, there are significant differences too.

Born in the UK to Bajan parents, Derek is a military man, having joined the Army Cadets at school before enlisting in the Barbados Defence Force. He later went to the 3rd Canadian Forces Flying Training School near Winnipeg, where he learnt to fly fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. There were no flying jobs in the Barbados Defence Force on his return, so he came back to England to try his hand at computer science, before heading back to Canada to gain his commercial pilot’s licence.

Ricky, on the other hand, was a sportsman. Born in Barbados, he was sent to boarding school in the UK and then went on to play first-class professional cricket. He played for Middlesex and Worcester before being called up for England and the 1990 tour of the West Indies (as one of England’s famous ‘fast four’ bowlers). Unfortunately for Ricky (and England), the tour, and his career, were cut short by injury. That’s when he decided to become a pilot and went to Scotland to get his wings.

Derek: “We mustn’t forget that the prosperity Barbados enjoys today was built on the backs of African slaves, followed by the tenacity and sacrifice of several generations of their descendants. While Barbados is not the land of my birth, I certainly consider it my home! It is where I feel most comfortable, it is my safe haven and the place in which I feel secure in the knowledge that solace is genuinely available when times are rough and a genuine feeling of joy when times are good!”

Ricky: “What people don’t realise is that Barbados has a really dreadful history and it took a long time for people to start talking about the stuff that went on. It was an apartheid system. Independence meant a considerable amount, especially to my parents’ generation. They saw it as a time when Barbados set out to be on our own, and it made them very proud.”

When asked to name a local hero, both pilots, like many Bajans, name their former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Errol Walton Barrow.

“Before leading us to independence, he was a Combermere alumnus like Ricky and myself,” explains Derek. “He was an air navigator in WWII when he flew 53 operational missions over the European Theatre and rose to the rank of Flying Officer. He served as Premier of Barbados from 1961 to 1966, proudly led his country to independence and became the island’s first Prime Minister.”

Derek was lucky enough to meet the Rt. Hon Errol Walton Barrow in 1975 at the Marine Hotel following the independence celebration. “It was a great honour! He was also noted for his culinary skills! The following Sunday, we went to his official residence, Culloden Farm, where he cooked for me, my mom and two brothers.”

To learn more about the remarkable story of Errol Barrow’s RAF service visit The Caribbean Aircrew website or this excellent page on the Bajanthings site

“Barbados is a country that welcomes the world to its shores. The warmth and hospitality of its people are legendary,” says Derek. “Many British nationals can attest that there is a direct correlation between the warmth of the climate and the spirit, generosity and grace of its people. That is the Bajan way, and those are core values of our proud and diverse family of Bajans.” The excellent news for Derek and Ricky is that the Boeing 787 aircraft they both command are now scheduled onto our Barbados flights out of Heathrow.

Perhaps the most poignant story, though, is told by Ricky, whose fascination with flying began when an American aircraft carrier visited Barbados. Shortly afterwards, when his dad asked him what he wanted to do with his life his swift response was “be a pilot”. Dad’s answer? “Black people don’t fly planes.” Ricky went on to become our first black captain. Then on the 24th September 1998, he was at the controls of the giant Boeing 747 when our first ever flight to Barbados touched down.

The Barbadian journey continues next year when on the 55th anniversary of independence, Bajans plan to replace Queen Elizabeth as head of state and become a republic. Announcing the change, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said that Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state, adding: “This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.”

For all the progress that’s been made, earlier this year the needless death of George Floyd and the growing Black Lives Matter movement laid bare the work that still needs to be done. At Virgin Atlantic, we stand for inclusion regardless of gender, race or sexuality. We will not tolerate prejudice of any kind.

`We also understand that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) representation in aviation needs to improve. We’re committed to using the power and influence of our brand and incredible people to drive real change. In a small but meaningful gesture, we’ve recently introduced BAME flying icons as nose art on some of our aircraft. We also have a newly formed and flourishing internal network that celebrates, champions and supports our BAME employees.