Prince Albert Jacob – known as Jake to his friends – was welcomed by Chief Constable Craig Guildford this week, who presented him with a birthday card on behalf of the force. Jake, who was born in Trinidad in 1925, enlisted into the Royal Air Force at just 17 as the war raged. After his service ended, he settled in the Midlands in 1947, determined to build a new life despite facing prejudice and discrimination alongside his late wife Mary. After moving to Solihull, Jake worked in manufacturing before securing a role at the Post Office, where he stayed for 32 years. A talented sportsman, he joined a local athletics club and competed at national and international level, earning great respect for his achievements. Following his retirement in the mid-1980s, Jake continued to support his community by volunteering with the probation service, supervising offenders doing community work in care homes across Birmingham. In recent years he has dedicated time to educational outreach, sharing his experiences of wartime service and the racism he faced upon arriving in England, to help younger generations understand the importance of tolerance. During his birthday visit, Jake also met with two of West Midlands Police’s highest-ranking black officers, Superintendent Sam Batey and Superintendent Karl Thomas, as well as Police Race Action Lead Sergeant Jonathan Benjamin. He was introduced to Derrick Anderson CBE, the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, and representatives from the force’s Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA). BAPA Guest Committee Member Sandra Dubidat-Ferguson said: “We recently marked Windrush Day with a series of events celebrating the contribution made to Britain by Caribbean and other migrant communities in the years following the Second World war up to the present day. “Jake symbolises the pride and determination of these communities, serving the country with distinction during the war before striving to build a life for himself here through sheer hard work and determination, often facing prejudice and discrimination along the way. “He overcame these hurdles to become much respected and well-loved within his workplace, local neighbourhood, across the athletics world and beyond. He’s still in great shape and we were delighted to host him here and to wish him a very happy 100th birthday." Chief Constable Guildford also said it was an honour to welcome Jake and celebrate his remarkable life and service to the country.