One of the first black men to serve in the British army and in London Fire Brigade honoured in ceremony

  • London
George Arthur Roberts served in the First World War and went on to become a firefighter. Credit: LFB

One of the first black men to serve in the British army and in the London Fire Brigade is being honoured at blue plaque ceremony on Sunday.

Born in Trinidad in 1890, George Arthur Roberts served in the First World War and went on to become a firefighter throughout the Blitz and rest of World War II.

In 1944 he was awarded the British Empire Medal 'for general duties at New Cross Fire Station and for his part as a founder and pioneer of the Discussion and Education groups of the Fire Service' throughout the Second World War.

George Arthur Roberts served in the First World War and went on to become a firefighter. Credit: LFB

Black and ethnic minority firefighters will line up as a guard of honour at the unveiling of the plaque at George's former home on Warner Road in Camberwell.

The event, which starts at 11.30am, will also be attended by the Brigade's Director of Safety and Assurance Dany Cotton, local MPs and Tedwin Herbert, The Acting High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago./

Standing at 6'2", George earned a reputation in the Great War for throwing bombs back over enemy lines.