A.C.1 J.D.S Gordonu, RAF Halton by Alfred Reginald Thomson, oil on canvas

600,000 African servicemen supported the Allies in the Second World War.

Unfortunately, service records for Nigerian Aircraftman JDS. Gordonu are not yet publicly available as such records remain confidential until 75 years after service before eventual circulation. Therefore, the reason for his presence at RAF Halton, either in the technical training school or the RAF hospital, is unknown. However, it is known that in 1941 Gordonu had been attached to an RAF Balloon Command unit, when he featured in the Colonial Film Unit information film ‘This is a Barrage Balloon’ (released in Nigeria in November 1941). In 1943 Alfred Thomson visited RAF Halton primarily to paint servicemen undergoing medical treatment and convalescing. The RAF Museum is currently investigating further into Gordonu's life and work with the RAF. From the Air Ministry allocation of works from the War Artists' Advisory Committee, 1947. Original accession number: LD3362. On loan from the RAF Air Historical Branch (MOD). Copyright: Crown (expired) / RAF Museum.