Unit Notice Board

Flt Lt John Ebanks, DFM, GSM, MBE, OD

Flt Lt John Ebanks, DFM, GSM, MBE, OD

Whenever one mentions ‘selflessness’ and the good old cry ‘serve to lead’ in the ears of any Jamaican war veteran, a name that springs immediately to mind is Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) John Ebanks, an absolute natural.   His work, character and speech define the words humility and kindness.

As a result of his hard work, dedication and love for others in recent time, Flt Lt Ebanks has been recognized and lauded for his service to the crown and his fellow war veterans.   This very cheerful decorated character wears his medals of honour with pride, yet with a humble heart.

One of John Ebanks’ most outstanding acts in battle, occurred in World War II after he had enlisted in the Royal Air Force (1941).   He was young and keen and quickly achieved the rank of Lance Corporal.   John was the first Jamaican to achieve the honour of being a navigator for the Royal Air Force.   He saw active duty by guiding the infamous ‘mosquito night intruders’. These planes and their crews became known as the “milk rum boys” with their job to buzz bomb Berlin and distract the enemy while the “big planes took care of larger targets.”   Ebanks, as a Lance Corporal, led over 50 of these missions.   He was subsequently awarded the ‘Distinguished Flying Medal’ for his role.

In June 2002, Flt Lt Ebanks was also awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), in Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth 11 Golden Jubilee Birthday honours, for what was described as “his outstanding contribution to the welfare of Ex-service men in Jamaica”.   Mr Ebanks also holds the General Service Medal (GSM), which he obtained during his last posting in Malaysia.

John is renown for his natural ability to raise funds.   His first assignment came when he had moved to Mona, Kingston, which was a relatively new community. He wanted to build a church.   There were a few sceptics who did not share his vision.   He sought donations and put on a number of fund raising events, which raked in a whopping five thousand pounds that he used to start the building.

St Jago High School in St Catherine is also a result of John Ebanks efforts.   He played an integral part in mustering an Old Students Association to improve his Alma Mater, Beckford and Smith School, St Catherine, which later merged with another school to become St Jago High School.

However, what Flt Lt Ebanks describes as the “real work” started when he led an expedition to rescue a fellow war veteran who lived on a mountain in Jamaica and was in need of urgent medical attention.   His heart was moved with compassion as he saw the conditions under which war veterans were living.   In 1954 he joined the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) and immediately began raising funds for the organisation. A number of organizations subsequently came about ‘as a result of the power of love and compassion that flows like a river’ from Flt Lt Ebanks.   Some of these organisations are: Curphey Place (RAFA Headquarters), the Cheshire Village for paraplegics and other disabled persons, the John Ebanks Military Information Centre at Curphey Place and the Columbarium for veterans at Up Park Camp.   Still with modesty and humility, he takes no glory for himself and acknowledges the wider community for their contributions and continued support for each event that is put on.   Flt Lt John Ebanks is truly an inspiration with a heart made of gold.

Flt Lt John Ebanks was one of the recipients of the Order of Distinction (OD) Officer Class, for his contribution to the welfare of Jamaica’s ex-service men on National Heroes Day 2002.