Ralph Ottey, a Second World War veteran and member of the renowned Royal Air Force 617 Squadron, known as the Dambusters, has died at the age of 102. Born in Jamaica, Ottey enlisted in the RAF in 1944 at the age of 19, motivated by a sense of duty to support what he referred to as his "mother country."

Ottey, who later settled in Boston, Lincolnshire, recalled his transition from a young Jamaican man to a Lancaster bomber crew member within a short time. He was proud to serve in 617 Squadron, which gained fame for its 1943 night raid targeting dams in the Ruhr Valley of Nazi Germany—a mission that became one of the most celebrated aerial operations of the war.

After his military service, Ottey pursued a career as an accountant. He married Mavis Reece, a local resident of Boston, and they had a daughter, Lesley Morrison. Morrison described her father as "an inspiration," highlighting the impact of his life and service.

The Royal Air Forces Association Boston branch expressed deep sorrow over Ottey’s passing. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Boston on Thursday morning, marking the community farewell to a veteran whose lifetime spanned more than a century and whose service remains part of the historic legacy of the Dambusters squadron.