It's Black History Month, and we're shining a light on some of the Black heroes who have given so much to the British Armed Forces.

Ena Collymore-Woodstock is an extraordinary woman who, at the age of 105, is the oldest surviving female WW2 Veteran of the British Army. Her journey into the British Army began after she responded to calls in Jamaica for women to join the women's wing. Ena said: "There weren't many women in the army at that time, and very few women of colour." and that she wanted to show others what was possible.

After joining, Ena arrived in England and was offered an office role but told them she hadn't joined and come all this way just to do the job she was doing in Jamaica. After being evaluated by the War Office, she performed so well that they offered her her pick of any unit. She chose anti-anticraft and became a radar operator, serving in the UK and Belgium.

As the first West Indian radar operator, Ena continued a career of firsts after the war. In 1946 she was the first woman of colour to train at Gray's Inn in London and was the first - and only - female to join its debating society. Not long afterwards in 1953 she was appointed as the first assistant crown solicitor.

In 1959, Collymore-Woodstock made history in Jamaica as the first woman Resident Magistrate to preside in the Civil Court. By 1975, Ena was the Senior Resident Magistrate for St Andrew Parish and that same year was honoured as an officer in the Order of Distinction for her contributions to the justice system of Jamaica.

Among her many activities outside the legal profession, Collymore-Woodstock served as a District Commissioner for the Girl Guides and as chair of the Civil Service Housing Company and member of the Parish Council Service Commission. She was honoured as a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1967 for her work with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which included serving as the Jamaican Chief Commissioner of the organisation.

Ena Collymore-Woodstock had a huge impact in the UK and Jamaica and opened doors for future generations of people of colour and all women, and today we celebrate her incredible achievements.

To find out more about Erskine’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio

To donate directly to Erskine, please visit erskine.org.uk/donate