On June 22, 1948, the HMT Empire Windrush, a former German troopship that was seized as a war prize by Britain in 1945, docked in Tilbury, England. Onboard where more than 1,000 passengers. Mostly men, 492 of them were“ men from Jamaica and Trinidad,” The Guardian newspaper of London, reported on June 23, 1948.
Many of these“ British subjects” fought for England during World War II, While they would not become British citizens until the British Nationality Act of 1948 took effect on January 1, 1949, they committed the ultimate act of citizenship when they volunteered to risk their lives in defense of England’ s far-flung empire during World War II.
The reward they sought for their service was an opportunity to live and work in war-torn England. On June 23, 1948, London’ s The Daily Telegraph newspaper described these Afro Caribbeans in this way:“ Many of the men are students, and there are also several barbers, carpenters, boxers, tailors, chemists and machinists, a complete band, half a dozen artists, three policemen, and a man who described himself as‘ retired.’”
Another of these Black migrants, someone named George Marshall, described himself as a“ rain forcer.” As he went ashore, the newspaper reported, a torrential storm broke out.
But many of these men, and other Afro Caribbeans who followed them struggled to find work and decent housing and experience racism and discrimination. Despite these challenges, these men and their descendants persevered. And now, 77 years after the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, England’ s Afro Caribbean community has made significant contributions to English life and culture- contributions that in many ways have made Britain, Great again. •
“ Many of the men are students, and there are also several barbers, carpenters, boxers, tailors, chemists and machinists, a complete band, half a dozen artists, three policemen and a man who described himself as retired.”
The London Daily Telegraph, June 23, 1948.
29