Jamaican 60th anniversary celebrated in Birmingham flag raising ceremony

Senior rating Edmund Grandison helped his city celebrate 60 years of Jamaican independence by hoisting its flag in the heart of Birmingham.

Petty Officer Grandison, a second-generation Jamaican whose family emigrated from the Caribbean to the UK in the 1960s, was invited to join a flag-raising ceremony outside the Council House in Birmingham’s Victoria Square.

Organised by the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham), the ceremony saw the Jamaican Flag paraded by members of the Armed Forces, included several of Jamaican heritage from all three Services, who are currently deployed as part of Operation Unity (military support to the Commonwealth Games) and the Royal Navy’s engagement team, who work with the Jamaican community across the Region.

Edmund is part of that Engagement team which works with Birmingham’s many and varied communities. He was also selected to be a Baton bearer and carried the Queen’s Baton through his home area.

“It fills me with great pride to honour my heritage and my parents, as well as wear my uniform representing the Royal Navy at the flag raising for Jamaica’s 60th Independence celebrations”, said Edmund.

“It’s even more special this year during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games when all the eyes are on the City.”