Did you know that Britain’s first black magistrate was a Jamaican?
The United Kingdom has honoured the late Eric Irons, who was Britain’s first black magistrate, as part of Black History Month celebrations there.
A plaque has been unveiled at the National Justice Museum to commemorate Irons’ life. He passed away in 2007 at age 86.
Here are some facts about this true trailblazer:
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[naviga:li]Irons was born in Jamaica in 1921.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]He settled in Nottingham, England after serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]Irons was a campaigner for social justice.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]He became the UK’s first black justice of the peace in 1962 and was given an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]While working at the Chilwell Ordnance Depot army base in the 1950s, he campaigned for better employment opportunities, health and education for black workers.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]He was instrumental in lifting a ban on black people working for a transport company and helped the city council address issues following the 1958 race riots in the St Ann’s area of Nottingham.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]After making history as the first black magistrate in 1962 he was later made an OBE in 1977 and continued to oversee court cases until he retired in 1991.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]Irons met his wife in Nottingham after World War II and they went on to have six children and 16 grandchildren.[/naviga:li]
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Irons’ sons Adrian and Paul said he had devoted his whole life to “serving people of all colours, religion, age and the whole community”.
“In so doing, not only was he a remarkable role model to his family, but his selfless and courageous work helped to ensure we have a more equitable understanding and tolerant society that benefits us all,” they said.
