Back in 2023 we published: A BajanThings 101 on AI Chatbots: ChatGPT and Bard. Why you MUST fact check the output… Two years on in March 2025 and in June 2025 we have updated our AI chatbot experiment.

The reference research source we used to compare the AI output was the work we had done on Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.

In 2023 we used two AI tools: Open AI’s ChatGPT (where Microsoft is a major investor) and Bard (from Google).

For this 2025 AI chatbot update we have used:

• ChatGPT – produced by OpenAI where Microsoft is a major investor.
• CoPilot – Microsoft’s AI implementation of ChatGPT within its browser Edge.
• Gemini – the updated Bard which is Google’s AI implementation within its browser Chrome.
• DeepSeek – the new kid on the block which uses a simplified and significantly cheaper LLM. DeepSeek is the passion project of Liang Wenfeng, a millennial hedge fund entrepreneur from south China’s Guangdong province. DeepSeek was founded in May 2023 and launched in January 2025 to rave reviews – its low cost caused the share price of many traditional LLMs to fall significantly!

In June 2025 we added in two additional AI chatbots:

• Grok AI – which is Elon Musk’s new AI business which will probably be called xAI when it is released. Elon Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI (who make ChatGPT) in 2015 and exited in 2018. Grok is currently on beta 3.
• Claude Sonnet 4 AI – by Anthropic who were founded in 2021 by seven former employees of OpenAI (who make ChatGPT).

A Quick Refresher and Some Background on AI Chatbots and LLMS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) ChatBots like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude are being promoted as the “next BIG thing”. With any new technology, there are bound to be some teething problems and issues that need to be addressed. Some of the key issues are:

• rubbish in – rubbish out
• unconscious bias and
• made-up data.

So what is a ChatBot (shorthand for: Chat roBot)?

Simply put, its a computer algorithm that simulates human conversation. The technical term is that these chatbots are neural network Large Language Models (LLMs).

The roots of AI (and thus, chatbots) goes back to the 1950s with Alan Turing’s Turing Test, which tested the ability for a machine to utilize intelligent behaviour similar to what a human might make.  Since then, technology has evolved and chatbots are now able to respond to written and verbal cues, and reply accordingly. With the advancement in chatbot technology, chatbots can now perform more complicated tasks. Will chatbots replace humans – I think not. They may replace some tasks.

Bots and humans simply have different strengths, and that’s why smart businesses won’t try to replace one with the other, but find the best ways in which bots and humans can win as a team.

ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude are the the AI tools getting most of the publicity at the moment. There are lots of others.

It should be remembered that these AI chatbots are beta tools. Most are engaging the public to help train their tools and expand the databanks their AI bots use. They have a lot of data in their databanks scraped from the internet – not all of this data is reliable data (rubbish in – rubbish out). Also that data can be biased. Facial recognition and racial biases in health care are two classic well documented examples where bias exists.

There is also ongoing controversy on how some of the LLMs have obtained for free what is deemed to be copyrighted material for their databanks? For instance you can create something (text, artwork, photos etc ) “in the style of“… To do that you first need to train the bots on that style. The LLMs claim that doing this is legitimate fair use (U.S.) or fair dealing (U.K., Canada, etc.), which provides limited rights to use copyrighted works without permission. The copyright holders disagree and feel they should have been paid copyright fees so others can re-create their work “in the style of”. It will take decades to sort out via the courts by which time the damage will be done! Copyright law is complex and lags in a digital world. The LLMs are exploiting for financial gain this loophole. The financial losers are the copyright holders.

One of the main issues with chatbots is that they sometimes make up facts and spout nonsense. They interpolate between the missing data… what AI researchers call “a hallucination”. Unfortunately it’s hard to know what’s truth and what’s un-truth and this mis-information can often be taken as the truth!

When using these tool you need to validate the data. The databanks used by the likes of ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok (xAI) and Claude are black box affairs and with the exception of CoPilot often do not give you an indication of how or where the output was sourced, its just output. Most people take the output as the gospel truth!

Unless you have a deep understanding of the subject you might be getting a mixture of facts and made-up untruths!

Most of the time, unfortunately, unless you know the subject you are likely to be duped!

In this follow up two years on in 2025, we followed the same rules – we set ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude a simple task: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947“.

BajanThings posting on Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947 is a definitive piece of fact based research taken from:

• Errol Barrow’s redacted Record of Service papers that were released by the UK Ministry of Defence Headquarters Air Command RAF Cranwell
• 88 Squadron Operations Record Books which are held by the UK National Archive at Kew:
  – RAF form 540 – which summarises daily operations by month
  – RAF form 541 – which list by day the aircraft and crews that took part in daily operations.
• RCAF training records
• the RAF logbook entries belonging to his pilots F/O Andrew Cole RAF, S/L Geoff Norton RAF and RAAF wireless operator/gunner First Officer Leo Schultz and Allen Stewart
• supplemented with stories from those that flew with him.

Prior to this research by BajanThings most sources dealt with Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947 in a line maybe two!

We felt that using Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947 was a subject that we knew in great detail. We also knew some of the content available on the wider internet relating to Errol’s time in the RAF was questionable. It’s a classic issue of mis-information that has been repeated so often that it has become gospel – especially when repeated by trusted sources.

For instance in 2008 the Barbados Post Office printed a black Lancaster bomber in the background of the stamp commemorating Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF. Errol Barrow NEVER flew Lancaster bombers. Errol Barrow while in 88 Squadron 2TAF (which was separate from Bomber Command) flew Douglas Boston light bombers (aka Douglas DB-7 / A-20 Boston / Havoc Attack Bomber). The source of this error, which has been repeated and repeated and repeated came from the book: “The Life and Times of Errol Barrow” by Peter Morgan published by Caribbean Communications Inc,  in November 1994.

In 2025 two years on from our first test the rules are the same: when using tools likeChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude you need to fact check. Context is everything.

You CANNOT take the AI chatbot’s output as the gospel truth.

Sometimes, as you will more clearly see in our original ChatBot post, the data is made-up (my word “interpolated“, AI researchers word “a hallucination“).

What is hard to tell, unless you know your subject intimately is: what is truth and what is made-up codswallop.

The fear is that the codswallop gets perpetrated over and over and then gets looped back into the black box databanks as unconscious bias! Much like the fact that Errol Barrow supposedly flew Lancaster bombers!

Back in 2008 Peter Morgan’s book was taken as gospel by the Barbados Post Office stamp designers. The Barbados Post Office did not fact-check what Peter Morgan wrote – they took his output as the gospel truth – hence the black Avro Lancaster bomber in the background.

Here is a very good article on how AI Chatbots work: Why Chatbots Sometimes Act Weird and Spout Nonsense – by Cade Metz from the New York Times 16^th February 2023 [If you cannot access the article due to the New York Times firewall, Google: “Why Chatbots Sometimes Act Weird and Spout Nonsense” and you should be able to see the article].

2025 Results for ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude:

Open AI ChatGPT Result for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Errol Barrow, who would later become the first Prime Minister of Barbados, served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1940 to 1947 during World War II. His time in the RAF played a significant role in shaping his leadership skills and worldview, which he later applied to politics.

Early Enlistment and Training (1940-1942)

Born in 1920, Barrow was just 20 years old when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1940. At that time, Britain was deeply engaged in World War II, and the RAF was actively recruiting personnel from across the British Empire. Like many other Caribbean men, Barrow was drawn to the RAF due to the opportunities for travel, training, and combat experience.

After enlisting, Barrow underwent rigorous training in navigation and aerial warfare. This period prepared him for his role as a navigator, a crucial position in RAF Bomber Command, responsible for guiding aircraft during long missions, often over hostile enemy territory.

Active Service in Bomber Command (1942-1945)

Barrow was eventually assigned to RAF Bomber Command, where he flew numerous missions over occupied Europe. Bomber Command played a pivotal role in the Allied war effort, conducting strategic bombing campaigns against German industrial and military targets. As a navigator, Barrow was responsible for ensuring that aircraft reached their targets accurately and returned safely.

During this time, he would have faced significant dangers. Bomber crews had high casualty rates, as German anti-aircraft defenses and fighter planes frequently targeted RAF bombers. Despite the risks, Barrow successfully completed several missions, demonstrating courage, discipline, and resilience.

Barrow also encountered racial discrimination in the British military, as many Caribbean servicemen did. However, his skill and dedication allowed him to rise through the ranks. His experiences with racial prejudice likely influenced his later political views, where he championed independence, equality, and social justice for Barbadians.

Post-War RAF Career (1945-1947)

After the war ended in 1945, Barrow remained in the RAF for two more years, serving in a peacetime capacity. During this period, he took on a more administrative and training-oriented role, helping to demobilize wartime personnel and assist in post-war restructuring efforts.

His time in the RAF also allowed him to further his education, as the military provided opportunities for academic advancement. He took full advantage of this, enrolling in law and economics courses in the United Kingdom. His exposure to British society and politics deepened his understanding of governance, which would later prove essential in his political career.

Legacy of His RAF Service

Errol Barrow’s experience in the RAF shaped his leadership style and political ideology. He had witnessed firsthand the strengths and weaknesses of the British Empire, the realities of war, and the challenges faced by Caribbean servicemen. These experiences reinforced his belief in self-governance, independence, and the need for a more equitable society.

After leaving the RAF in 1947, Barrow pursued further education and eventually entered Barbadian politics. His military discipline, strategic thinking, and international exposure helped him lead Barbados to independence in 1966. Today, his time in the RAF is remembered as a formative period in his life, where he honed the skills and values that made him a national hero.

CoPilot Result for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Errol Walton Barrow, a distinguished Barbadian statesman and future Prime Minister of Barbados, served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1940 to 1947 during World War II. His time in the RAF not only showcased his exceptional skills but also laid the foundation for his later political career.

Barrow joined the RAF on December 31, 1940, as an Aircraftman Second Class (AC2). He was eventually selected for training as an Observer (Navigator), a role that required precision and composure. His training took place in both Britain and Canada, where he honed his navigation skills. By November 4, 1944, Barrow was commissioned as an officer, reflecting his competence and dedication.

During his service, Barrow was posted to the 88 Squadron, where he completed 48 bombing operations over occupied Europe and Germany. These missions were critical in supporting Allied ground forces by targeting German communication infrastructure and airfields. Barrow’s exceptional navigation skills earned him high praise from his peers, with Squadron Leader Alfred Barnes describing him as a “bloody good Navigator” who could always be relied upon to “get you there, get you back.”

After the war in Europe ended, Barrow’s expertise was further recognized when he was chosen as the personal navigator for Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Sholto Douglas, the commander of the RAF in Germany. This prestigious role highlighted Barrow’s professionalism and the respect he commanded within the RAF.

Barrow’s RAF service concluded on October 9, 1947, when he left as a Flying Officer. His seven years in the RAF were marked by courage, skill, and a commitment to excellence. These experiences not only shaped his character but also influenced his leadership style, which he later brought to his political career in Barbados.

Following his military service, Barrow pursued higher education in Economics and Industrial Law at the London School of Economics. He returned to Barbados in 1950 and eventually entered politics, leading his country to independence in 1966 as its first Prime Minister.

Barrow’s time in the RAF remains a testament to his resilience and dedication, qualities that defined his contributions both in the military and in public service.

Reference sources:

www.bajanthings.com – [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.bajanthings.com/errol-barrow-statesman-pm-barbados-raf-navigator-world-war-ii/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “1”)

rafmuseum.org.uk – [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/pilots-of-the-caribbean/heroes-and-sheroes/stateman-flying-officer-errol-walton-barrow/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “2”)

rafbf.org – [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-stories/raf-history/black-history-month-extraordinary-life-flying-officer-errol-barrow?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 “3”).

Gemini Results for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Errol Walton Barrow’s service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II was a significant chapter in his life, shaping his character and contributing to his later leadership. Here’s a summary of his time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947:

Enlistment and Training:

•  In December 1940, Barrow, a Barbadian, enlisted in the RAF, demonstrating a strong commitment to the war effort.
•  He underwent rigorous training, eventually qualifying as a navigator. His training took place in both Britain and Canada.
•  In 1944 he was commissioned as an officer.

Active Service:

• Barrow was posted to 88 Squadron, where he served as a navigator.
• He participated in numerous operational bombing missions over occupied Europe and Germany, supporting Allied ground forces and targeting strategic enemy installations.
• Records indicate that he completed approximately 48 bombing sorties, accumulating a significant amount of combat flying time.
•  His service was very dangerous, as Bomber command had very high casualty rates.

Distinguished Service:

•  Barrow’s skill and composure under pressure were noted by his fellow aircrew. He was considered a highly capable navigator.
•  By 1945, he had risen to the rank of Flying Officer.
•  He was later appointed as a personal navigator to the Commander-in-Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany, Sir William Sholto Douglas, a testament to his exceptional abilities.

Post-War Period:

•  Barrow remained in the RAF until 1947, after which he pursued further education, studying law and economics.

Errol Barrow’s RAF service was more than just a military experience. It was a period that instilled in him discipline, leadership, and a global perspective. These qualities would later serve him well in his political career as he led Barbados to independence and became its first Prime Minister.

His wartime experiences undoubtedly contributed to his strong sense of purpose and his dedication to serving his country.

Note: Errol Barrow was not in Bomber Command –  RAF 88 Squadron in 1944 was part of the 2^nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF). The squadron was originally part of No. 2 Group, Bomber Command, however, in September 1943, as part of the reorganisation of the RAF, 88 Squadron transferred to 2TAF. That change happen a year before Errol and his crew joined RAF 88 Squadron in September 1944.

DeepSeek Results for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Errol Barrow, who would later become a prominent political leader and the first Prime Minister of Barbados, served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II from 1940 to 1947. His time in the RAF was a formative period in his life, shaping his character, leadership skills, and worldview, which would later influence his political career and his vision for an independent Barbados.

Barrow joined the RAF in 1940, at the age of 18, during the early stages of World War II. His decision to enlist was driven by a sense of duty and a desire to contribute to the global fight against fascism. Like many young men from the British colonies, Barrow saw the war as an opportunity to prove his worth and demonstrate the capabilities of Caribbean people on an international stage. He was initially stationed in Britain, where he underwent rigorous training to become a navigator. This role required precision, analytical thinking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure—skills that would later serve him well in politics.

During his service, Barrow was part of the RAF’s Bomber Command, which played a critical role in the Allied strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. As a navigator, he was responsible for guiding aircraft through dangerous missions, often in adverse weather conditions and under the constant threat of enemy fire. His duties required not only technical expertise but also immense courage and resilience. Barrow flew numerous missions over occupied Europe, contributing to the Allied efforts to disrupt German industrial and military infrastructure. These missions were perilous, with high casualty rates among aircrew, and Barrow’s survival was a testament to his skill and determination.

Barrow’s experiences in the RAF exposed him to the broader world beyond Barbados and the Caribbean. He served alongside individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that transcended racial and cultural boundaries. This experience likely influenced his later commitment to social justice and equality in Barbados. Additionally, his time in Britain allowed him to witness first hand the struggles of the working class and the impact of wartime austerity, which may have shaped his progressive economic policies as a political leader.

By the end of the war in 1945, Barrow had risen to the rank of Flying Officer, a significant achievement that reflected his dedication and competence. However, he chose to remain in the RAF for two more years, serving in Germany as part of the Allied occupation forces. During this time, he observed the reconstruction efforts and the challenges of post-war governance, further broadening his perspective on leadership and nation-building.

Barrow’s service in the RAF was a defining chapter in his life. It instilled in him a sense of discipline, a commitment to service, and a belief in the potential of small nations to achieve greatness. These values would later underpin his political philosophy and his efforts to lead Barbados to independence in 1966. His time in the RAF not only demonstrated his personal bravery but also highlighted the contributions of Caribbean people to the Allied victory, a legacy that continues to inspire pride in the region.

Grok AI beta 3 Results for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Errol Walton Barrow, born on January 21, 1920, in Saint Lucy, Barbados, was a gifted student who won a scholarship to study Classics at Codrington College in 1939. However, with the outbreak of World War II, he chose to serve his country and the Allied forces by enlisting in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Volunteer Reserve in London on December 31, 1940, as an Aircraftman 2nd Class (AC2), joining 11 other Barbadians known as “The Second Barbadian Contingent.” This decision marked the beginning of a significant seven-year chapter in his life that shaped his future leadership as Barbados’ first Prime Minister.

Barrow’s RAF journey began with initial training for light bomber crews at RAF Benson, followed by a posting to RAF Marham, where he trained as a wireless operator. By January 1942, he was promoted to Aircraftman 1st Class (AC1) and later assigned to No. 17 Initial Training Wing. Recognizing his potential, the RAF sent him to Canada for an 18-month navigator training course. On November 25, 1943, he earned his Navigator wings and was promoted to Sergeant, demonstrating his academic prowess and adaptability.

In April 1944, Barrow completed operational training in Nova Scotia alongside RAF pilot Andrew Leslie Cole and Royal Australian Air Force wireless/air gunners Leo Leslie J. Schultz and Robert Allen Stewart. This tight-knit crew joined 88 Squadron, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF), on September 20, 1944, flying Douglas Boston light bombers (DB-7s/A-20s). From September 23, 1944, to March 26, 1945, Barrow flew 48 operational sorties, accumulating 103 hours and 25 minutes of combat flying time. His missions supported Allied ground forces, including operations during the Battle of Arnhem and the Battle of the Bulge, targeting German communication infrastructure and airfields. Squadron Leader Alfred Barnes praised Barrow as “a bloody good Navigator – first class,” noting his calm demeanor under pressure, a testament to his skill and resilience in the face of medium-altitude bombing’s dangers.

After VE-Day, Barrow’s competence earned him a prestigious role as the personal navigator to Air Chief Marshal Sir William Sholto Douglas, Commander-in-Chief of the British Zone in occupied Germany. During this period, he was promoted to Flying Officer. His final RAF posting involved secondment to the Colonial Office, where he oversaw education and vocational training for ex-servicemen from colonial territories, reflecting his growing leadership capabilities. Barrow maintained a close relationship with Douglas, who later became chairman of British European Airways and made Barrow godfather to his only child.

Barrow left the RAF on October 9, 1947, having served seven years. His wartime experiences, marked by bravery and skill, laid a foundation for his later political career, influencing his leadership style and commitment to social change. Of the 12 men in the Second Barbadian Contingent, six were killed, underscoring the perilous nature of their service. Barrow’s RAF tenure not only highlighted his personal courage but also the significant contributions of Caribbean volunteers to the war effort.

Grok AI which is the beta 3 lists 25 sources it used:

1. History Month: The extraordinary life of Flying Officer Errol Barrow
   https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-stories/raf-history/black-history-month-extraordinary-life-flying-officer-errol-barrow
2. F/O Errol Barrow RAF Navigator World War II & Prime Minister of Barbados
   https://www.bajanthings.com/errol-barrow-statesman-pm-barbados-raf-navigator-world-war-ii/
3. Errol Walton Barrow
   https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Walton_Barrow
4. Errol Barrow
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Barrow
5. Royal Air Force personnel
   https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-air-force-personnel/
6. BARROW – Errol Walton
   https://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com/?p=394
7. Errol Barrow – RAF navigator and Prime Minister of Barbados
   https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsehistory/2024/04/10/errol-barrow/
8. Statesman. Flying Officer Errol Walton Barrow
   https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/pilots-of-the-caribbean/heroes-and-sheroes/stateman-flying-officer-errol-walton-barrow/
9. A BajanThings 101 on AI Chatbots: ChatGPT and Bard. Why you MUST fact check the output…
   https://www.bajanthings.com/a-bajanthings-101-on-ai-chatbots-in-2023-why-you-must-fact-check-the-output/
10. Errol Barrow
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Barrow
11. Errol W. Barrow
    https://internationalbcc.co.uk/about-ibcc/news/errol-w-barrow/
12. Errol Barrow – Father of Independence
    https://barbados.org/blog/errol-barrow-freedom-fighter/
13. Royal Flying Corps (RFC)/Royal Air Force (RAF) service records
    https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/tracing-your-family-history/tracing-your-royal-flying-corps-and-royal-air/where-to-find-service-records
14. Royal Air Force combat reports 1939-1945
    https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/raf-combat-reports-1939-1945/
15. Errol Barrow facts for kids
    https://kids.kiddle.co/Errol_Barrow
16. Errol Barrow
    https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Errol_Barrow
17. Errol Barrow
    https://amp.en.google-info.cn/1695207/1/errol-barrow.html (site can’t be reached error message)
18. List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (A-C) – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAF_aircrew_in_the_Battle_of_Britain_(A%E2%80%93C)
19. Errol Barrow
    https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Barrow
20. Errol Barrow
    https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Errol_Barrow
21. Errol W. Barrow, Barbadian Politician born
    https://aaregistry.org/story/errol-w-barrow-a-barbadian-legend/
22. Royal Air Force operations
    https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-air-force-operations/
23. The Beautiful Blonde in the Bank – F/L Andrew Leslie Cole AFC RAF
    https://www.bajanthings.com/the-beautiful-blonde-in-the-bank-f-l-andrew-leslie-cole-afc-raf/
24. Errol Barrow
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Barrow
25. Errol Walton Barrow
    https://dewiki.de/Lexikon/Errol_Walton_Barrow

Claude Sonnet 4 AI Results for: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”

Summary
Errol Walton Barrow’s seven-year service in the Royal Air Force from 1940 to 1947 represents a remarkable journey from a young Barbadian volunteer to a distinguished navigator and officer who would later become the first Prime Minister of independent Barbados. His RAF career was defined by exceptional courage, skill, and leadership during some of the most challenging operations of World War II.

Barrow entered the RAF on December 31, 1940, as an Aircraftman Second Class (AC2) at the age of 20. After joining in London, he was eventually selected as an Observer (Navigator) and underwent extensive training in both Britain and Canada. This training was crucial preparation for the dangerous missions that lay ahead, as navigators played a vital role in ensuring bombing crews could find their targets and return safely.

Barrow was commissioned as an officer on November 4, 1944, and was posted to 88 Squadron, a unit that flew Douglas Boston light bombers in support of Allied operations across the European theatre. His operational service was concentrated in the most intense period of the war, from September 1944 to March 1945. Between September 23, 1944, and March 26, 1945, Barrow completed 48 operational sorties, accumulating 103 hours and 25 minutes of combat flying time.

The nature of Barrow’s missions was both diverse and dangerous. He saw active service supporting Allied ground forces, bombing German communication infrastructure positions and airfields over the European theatre. His first sorties included supporting ground forces involved in the Battle for Arnhem, one of the most challenging operations of the war. These medium-altitude bombing missions exposed him to intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition, making survival a matter of skill, luck, and teamwork.

Barrow’s competence as a navigator earned him the respect of his colleagues. Squadron Leader Alfred Barnes remembered him as “A bloody good Navigator – first class. Get you there, get you back. Never saw Barrow get in a flap…a good man to have”. This professional recognition reflected not only his technical skills but also his calm demeanor under extreme pressure, qualities that would serve him well in his later political career.

Completing 48 operational bombing missions was exceptionally brave, as Bomber Command members typically completed 30 operations before “standing down” to become instructors. Barrow’s willingness to exceed this standard demonstrated his commitment to the war effort and his fellow airmen.

After the war ended, Barrow’s service continued in a different capacity. By 1945, he had risen to the rank of Flying Officer and was appointed as personal navigator to the Commander in Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany, Sir William Sholto Douglas. This prestigious appointment reflected the high regard in which he was held by senior RAF leadership.

Barrow continued to serve in the RAF until October 9, 1947, when he left as a Flying Officer, having served for seven years. His RAF service provided him with leadership experience, international perspective, and organizational skills that would prove invaluable when he returned to Barbados and entered politics, eventually becoming the island’s first Prime Minister following independence in 1966.

Claude gives you a summary of how it produced the output:

I’ll search for information about Errol Barrow’s RAF service to provide you with an accurate summary.

Errol Barrow RAF service 1940-1947 – 10 results

1. Errol Barrow – Wikipediawikipedia.org
2. F/O Errol Barrow RAF Navigator World War II & Prime Minister of Barbados – www.bajanthings.com
3. Black History Month: The extraordinary life of Flying Officer Errol Barrow | RAF Benevolent Fund – rafbf.org
4. Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WW2 » Blog Archive » BARROW – Errol Walton – caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com
5. Errol Barrow – RAF navigator and Prime Minister of Barbados – LSE History – lse.ac.uk
6. Statesman : Flying Officer Errol Walton Barrow – RAF Museum – rafmuseum.org.uk
7. Errol Barrow | Military Wiki | Fandom – fandom.com
8. Royal Air Force personnel – The National Archives – nationalarchives.gov.uk
9. Errol W. Barrow – International Bomber Command Centre – internationalbcc.co.uk
10. Royal Flying Corps (RFC)/Royal Air Force (RAF) service records | Imperial War Museums – iwm.org.uk

Let me search for more detailed information about his specific wartime service and training.

Errol Barrow 88 Squadron navigator bombing missions – 10 results

1. Errol Barrow – RAF navigator and Prime Minister of Barbados – LSE History – lse.ac.uk
2. F/O Errol Barrow RAF Navigator World War II & Prime Minister of Barbados – www.bajanthings.com
3. Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WW2 » Blog Archive » BARROW – Errol Walton – caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com
4. Errol Barrow – Wikipedia – wikipedia.org
5. Black History Month: The extraordinary life of Flying Officer Errol Barrow | RAF Benevolent Fund – rafbf.org
6. Errol W. Barrow – International Bomber Command Centre – internationalbcc.co.uk
7. No. 88 Squadron RAF – Wikipedia – wikipedia.org
8. Errol Barrow Day in Barbados in 2026 | Office Holidays – officeholidays.com
9. Statesman : Flying Officer Errol Walton Barrow – RAF Museum – rafmuseum.org.uk
10. Errol Barrow | Military Wiki | Fandom – fandom.com

Errol Barrow’s RAF Service (1940-1947) Document # Errol Barrow’s RAF Service (1940-1947): A 500-Word Summary

Errol Walton Barrow’s seven-year service in the Royal Air Force from 1940 to 1947 represents a remarkable journey from a young Barbadian volunteer to a distinguished navigator and officer

I’ve created a comprehensive 500-word summary of Errol Barrow’s RAF service from 1940 to 1947. The summary covers his entry into the RAF as a young Barbadian volunteer, his training as a navigator, his dangerous wartime missions with 88 Squadron, and his post-war service in occupied Germany.

Key highlights include:

• His entry on December 31, 1940, as an Aircraftman Second Class and departure on October 9, 1947, as a Flying Officer – BajanThings, LSE History
• His completion of 48 operational sorties between September 1944 and March 1945, accumulating 103 hours and 25 minutes of combat flying time – Wikipedia, Wikipedia
• The high regard in which he was held by his colleagues, with one squadron leader calling him “A bloody good Navigator – first class”
• His post-war appointment as personal navigator to Sir William Sholto Douglas, Commander in Chief of the British Zone of occupied Germany – Caribbeanaircrew-ww2, Office Holidays

The summary emphasizes how his RAF experience shaped the leadership qualities that would later serve him as Barbados’s first Prime Minister.

There you have it – the results from ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude for the question: “Write me a 500 word summary of Errol Barrow’s time in the RAF from 1940 to 1947.”.

Two years on the results are significantly better than the test we ran in 2023. In 2023 we gave the results a score of maybe 20/100. Two years on the LLMS databanks have sucked in more data. In 2025 we would give them a score of 60+/100. We like the fact that some of the AI chatbots are highlighting [some of] their source data.

Our original advice remains: Don’t believe everything an AI chatbot tells you. Fact check the output. (In fact don’t believe everything you read on the internet without doing some fact checking.) Caveat emptor (buyer beware).

Do go and have a play. The links to the six chatbots are below:

• Open AI ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/
• Microsoft CoPilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com/
• Google Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/
• DeepSeek: https://www.deepseek.com/
• Grok AI: https://x.ai/ or https://grok.com/
• Claude sonnet 4: https://claude.ai/

Do let us know your thoughts and experience of using chatbots like: ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude and any of the others you might have used.

Our advice remains: you MUST, MUST, MUST fact check the output.

The output data from AI chatbots like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, Grok and Claude is getting better. As these AI chatbot improve, what is getting increasingly harder to ascertain is: what is truth and what is made-up codswallop [BS!].

The output from Ai chatbots is very convincing. It’s getting really hard to tell, what is truth and what is BS! unless you are a real SUBJECT EXPERT.

This is one of the key things we need to teach the next generation… often if it’s on the internet or TikTok then it’s seen as true!

AI chatbots are also getting pretty good at writing coding! You may be interested in how we created some back-end snippet code for BajanThings using ChatGPT – see: Using AI tools to create a WordPress snippet.