An illness in the family derailed Darrell Pierre's plans to board the HMT Empress Windrush in 1948 and embark on a new life in the UK.
Twelve more years would pass before his hopes were realized and he began his journey in earnest from Trinidad's heat to North-West England's wind and rain.
The delay, according to his son Stephen, may have caused disappointment at the time, but it did not prevent him from becoming a pioneer in one of England's most popular seaside resorts.
Blackpool was the only city in the UK with trams in the 1970s, so according to him, my dad was most likely the first black tram driver there.
In a remote part of Trinidad, Darrell began his 4,350-mile (7,000-km) journey.
The eldest of eight children, according to Stephen, his father had aspirations to travel the world since he was a young child.
He consequently decided it was something he would like to do when the Windrush opportunity presented itself.
Darrell, as the eldest son, was anticipated to remain in Trinidad to continue providing for the family's needs due to Stephen's grandfather falling ill in the months prior to the ship's departure.
Before Darrell could finally leave, according to Stephen, another 12 years would pass.
He claims that when his father moved to London as a shy and studious young man, he managed to get a job as a bookkeeper at the upscale Peter Jones store in Sloane sq\..
He claims that when Darrell attended Mass at The Brompton Oratory, one of London's most renowned Roman Catholic churches, where he met his future wife, Kathleen, his life was forever changed.
It was love at first sight, according to Stephen.
He says that despite being extremely shy, he barely managed to ask my mother if she would like to go for a cup of tea before heading back to work.
The remainder is history. ".
The man claims the couple quickly got hitched but decided to relocate to Blackpool where Kathleen's parents lived because it was difficult for them to make ends meet in London.
The city and Darrell's Trinidadian home were both a long way away from the town.
While mixed marriages were not very common in London, they were unheard of in Blackpool, according to Stephen.
"My grandfather put down a $2,000 deposit on a house in George Street close to theirs, much to the surprise of my grandparents. ".
Despite living in "less accepting times," he claims that his parents "worked very hard, made sacrifices, and raised a family of six children with dignity and pride.".
He claims that there weren't many job opportunities for his father.
Despite having a degree in constitutional affairs, Darrell was forced to work as a temporary tram conductor at the resort.
It was a role that was well-liked by students during the summer, but Stephen claims that because Darrell did not have to return to school, he continued into a full-time position at the conclusion of the holiday season and discovered his area of expertise.
In the town, "everyone seemed to know Dad," he claims.
People frequently praised him in letters to the council for his friendliness and kindness and noted that he would wait to ring the bell until everyone was safely aboard. ".
He claims that the popularity of the trams, where he worked extra shifts as a conductor, spread to the town's school buses.
The town adopted Darrell, according to Stephen, and he continued to be well-liked even after retiring due to health issues in 1986.
Years later, he would be out for a stroll when individuals would stop him to say hello and express their gratitude for the fun they had as kids riding his bus, the man recalls.
"My father was most likely the first Afro Caribbean employee with Blackpool Transport, and I believe my dad was most likely the first black tram driver in Blackpool because it was the only city in the UK with trams in the 1970s. ".
In many ways, he claims, it was his delayed departure and subsequent union with Kathleen that enabled his father to prosper in England.
Dad quickly became a tram driver, in contrast to the Windrush generation, who had to wait to operate London tube trains due to the behavior of white drivers, the man claims.
"In 1972, the council switched to trams with drivers only. Many of the conductors preferred not to drive, but when Dad moved into the cab, he continued to enjoy his interactions with the passengers. ".
Stephen claims that Darrell, who passed away in 2009, struggled to reconcile his university education and tram driving job despite leading a happy life in Blackpool.
In 1980, he was hurt in a tram crash and had to deal with the fallout.
After being initially held accountable for the collision but later being cleared by a High Court tribunal, Darrell was given a posthumous apology from Blackpool Council in 2010 thanks to Stephen's advocacy on his behalf.
When it came to his education, Stephen claims Darrell had "regrets," but he "loved people and they loved him," adding that "Dad loved nothing more than talking about football and cricket and his family.". ".
He continues by expressing his desire to see a suitable memorial to his father built at the hotel.
He says, "I believe Blackpool Transport ought to name a tram after him for all of the joy and positivity he brought to people.
"He really was a well-liked character who made the town happy.
. "
