We answered the call

Ex-servicemen from the Caribbean on their contribution during the Second World War and keeping their memory alive. By Leah Mahon

WHEN THE “mother country” called for help amid the terror of the Second World War, young men from the Caribbean in their thousands responded.

Many know of the Windrush generation, the first mass migration of Caribbean people to Britain to aid the labour shortages, but many others from British colonies arrived years before and some even returned.

Upon the invasion of Poland by the Nazis in September 1939, Britain declared they were at war and recruited millions to fight, including around six thousand brave men from the Caribbean. Between 1940 and 1945, West Indian veterans took on the roles of fighter pilots, ground staff and mechanics.

However, in the yearly remembrance of fallen servicemen and those that are still with us, their story in the war effort is often still forgotten and their presence before the Windrush generation’s arrival.

Glenn Parsons, leader of the Filey Commemorative Association, was behind a blue plaque unveiled in March this year that honoured the incredible effort of ex-West Indian servicemen.

Mr Parsons tells The Voice their contribution must not be an “overlooked chapter” in our history.

“There has been an overwhelming tendency for the history books to record immigration from the West Indies as starting with the docking of the Empire Windrush in 1948, whilst completely overlooking the 6,000 or more Caribbean servicemen who came to these shores as volunteers, between 1940-45,” he says.

“They were instrumental in turning the tide of the war in favour of Britain and its Allies.

“I am not alone in thinking that proper recognition for these selfless acts of bravery is long overdue.”

ACT OF BRAVERY: A recruit from the first contingent of ground staff volunteers for the Royal Air Force from the West Indies, holding his newly-issued kit at No 2 Receiving Centre, Cardington, Bedfordshire, in January 1944

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