Submitted by Sharon on
During a visit to the National Army Museum I came across a newspaper article related to the 3rd West India Regiment based in Sierra Leone.
Whilst preparing to leave Sierra Leone the soldiers of the West India Regiment came upon a goat and decided to claim him as their mascot. The goat happily accompanied them for several miles as they marched back to the dock where their boat was moored ready to take them back to Jamaica.
Submitted by hbarnes on
Written by T.M
On the 30 June 2016 I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the Mary Seacole memorial statue at St. Thomas Hospital, London; honouring the Jamaican nurse known for her work and compassion to soldiers during the Crimean war 1855-1856.
Submitted by Sharon on
Article by Neil M C Sinclair
Submitted by Sharon on
The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own)25 (now 32) (Toronto) Service Battalion
Article / February 22, 2016 / Project number: 16-0012
Toronto, ON — “We are not rich but we have access to privilege.”
Captain (Retired) Kevin Junior’s favourite saying originated with his daughter Shana when she was nine, but it could be the definition of his life.
Submitted by Sharon on
Written by Sathesh Alagappan
Today footballers of West Indian and African descendents are a familiar site in English football. For the most part, they are able to play the game as equals, and have had a significant role in shaping modern football.
However, in the 1970's and 1980's, black footballers were a rare sight. It took a brave wave of first and second generation West Indian migrants to break the mould. They faced discrimination and rampant racism from fans, but they helped change the face of football.
Submitted by hbarnes on
The Quarter deck of an 18th Century Royal Navy warship was not a place one would expect to see much in the way of racial diversity. Despite this, at least one black man enjoyed a career as an officer that spanned 30 years. He even commanded a number of sloops, schooners and frigates.
His name was John Perkins (1745-1812) nicknamed Jack Punch.
He rose from obscurity to be one of the most successful ship captains of the Georgian Navy. His obituary in the Navy Chronicle described his actions while in command of the schooner Punch:
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The West India Regiment, formed in 1795 fought in the African Campaigns during the First World War. The Regiment earned the battle honours 'Cameroons1914-16' East Africa 1914-18 for service during the conquest of German's African Colonies.
You can read more on the Caribbean's Great War at http://westindiacommittee.org/caribbeansgreatwar/
Submitted by Sharon on
Allan volunteered first for the Royal Navy in 1941 when there was a call for service men from Jamaica. He saw an advertisement in the Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper when he was sixteen and a half years old and the advertisement stated that the British Government needed recruits for the Royal Navy. Allan applied, passed the test and was accepted.
Submitted by Sharon on
The National Black Police Association walk of peace is one element of their annual conference. It provides a platform to showcase ethnic diversity in policing with hundreds of Black and Asian officers showing solidarity with local communities in a powerful and visual manner.
Submitted by Sharon on
Queen Elizabeth II became Queen of Britain and the Commonwealth in 1952 following the death of her Father King George VI. Answering the call of duty, she is now the longest reigning Monarch in British History.
Prior to her ascension, people from across the Commonwealth remained loyal and steadfast to the British Monarchy, rallying to Britain's defence and aid whenever needed. In particular, the people from the British Speaking West Indies have continued to serve both the Monarchy and Nation for more than 400 years.
