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We begin by offering prayers to those that have passed or are still missing in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower atrocity…

June 22nd is being regarded by increasing numbers as Windrush Day, (1) in acknowledgement of the landing at Tilbury Docks of almost 500 passengers from the Caribbean on June 22nd 1948 of HMT Empire Windrush that ”Changed the Face of Britain.” (2)

Windrush Day this year, between 2pm and 4pm at the Black Cultural Archives, in Brixton’s Windrush Square (appropriately) will see the official unveiling of a memorial to those Afrikan (”African and Caribbean”) soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for Britain defending what they perceived as the ”mother country” in World Wars I and II.  The unveiling is free but tickets need to be booked. (http://acmemorial.com/events/).

The project started as a community initiative but has since gained partial funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government, Lambeth Council, The Heritage Lottery Fund as well as many generous private donations.  It appears that the the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has not contributed. (3)  Nevertheless, “The Nubian Jak Community Trust’s mission is to ensure there is a lasting legacy honouring the contribution made by African and Caribbean Military Servicemen and Servicewomen as well as addressing the historical omissions that have been made about their participation”. (4)

The unveiling is the culmination of a series of events occurring on preceding days including on June 20th the book launch of Remembered, Memorial Souvenir Book, edited by Jak Beula and Nairobi Thompson; June 21st première of the play Remembered,a new work written and directed by playwright Richard Reid of Black Arts Production Theatre; after the unveiling on the 22nd is the Remembered celebration concert featuring Jazzie B, Omar, Janet Kay, Kanda Bongo Man anda host of other artists.  For more information on all events see (http://acmemorial.com/events/).  There is also a Memorial Aid Project fundraising single I Have a Song composed and performed by Eric Roberson and Jak Beula, which is available to download from iTunes, Spotify or Amazon for 99p.

An estimated 1.3 million African troops alone fought for Britain in World War II (5) and although rarely (if at all) reported in what is termed mainstream media, history is replete with tales of amazing largesse from the colonized to the colonizer.  In 1917 Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig said of the British West Indian Regiment (BWIR):
“[Their] work has been very arduous and has been carried out almost continuously under shell-fire. In spite of casualties the men have always shown themselves willing and cheerful workers, and the assistance they have rendered has been much appreciated by the units to which they have been attached and for whom they have been working. The physique of the men is exceptional, their discipline excellent and their morale high.” (6)

There was also help with funding the WWII effort the then (colonial) Government of Nigeria had sent £124,331, equivalent to £26,000,000 as a share of GDP in today’s figures.   Additionally the Emir of Katsina personally gave £5,000 for a tank. (7)

These efforts went largely unrewarded by the British establishment.  They were often given inadequate equipment and clothing.  In one notorious case this resulted in over 600 troops suffering from exposure and frostbite leading to over 106 amputations.  Moreover, many suffered economic hardship as a consequence of giving up their job to support the war effort and most did not get a pension and were even kept away from victory parades at the end of the war. (8)

The whole experience of Afrikan soldiers reveals an enduring lesson that is relevant in the present in a number of spheres, given that: ”in supporting the war effort many West Indians had hoped for change, but it would take several decades, and another world war, for the islands to gain independence from Britain.” (9)

Whatever the soundness of their motives, many have come around to the idea that that it is right to honour our well intentioned dead.  However, perhaps what should be examined is what lessons we can learn today from their sacrifice in terms of whether we can use our support, influence and resources as leverage before committing ourselves to any action, ideology or even political party.