Undivided India which includes the Countries today called Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar) Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal contributed to the war efforts by sending over 1,105,000 Indian personnel overseas.

India's contribution was not confined to the army. The Royal Indian Marine was armed in 1914, some of its ships serving with the Royal Navy on escort duties and others as costal minesweepers or river gunboats in the Mesopotamia campaign.

The role of the Indian merchant services in transportation and supply was no less essential than that of their comrades in arms.

Here's a fine example of the WAWI Project working in partnership with RAF Museum Cosford; supporting Pilots of the Caribbean: Volunteers of African Heritage in the RAF.

See Julie Knox reporting for Forces TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj7fKfyWJcc

The exhibition is open daily, 10am - 5pm, Free Admission at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP - 01902 376200

WAWI members attended the launch of Pilots of the Caribbean at RAF Cosford on Monday 6th October. We're proud to see our Standard Bearer Don Campbell featuring on ITV Central News promoting the exhibition.

To see the official ITV News report; aired 13th October; please view the link below.

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2014-10-15/pilots-of-the-caribbe...

A bronze sculpture celebrating the people who lived and worked in Cardiff Bay.

The Cardiff dockland district in Wales, known today as Cardiff Bay was transformed by the Industrial Revolution. Tiger Bay (as it was formally known) became a global coal producer and a bustling cosmopolitan, with migrants travelling from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and the Middle East to settle and work in the surrounding dockland area. The Cardiff of today has a richly diverse population because of this cultural influx.

Since 1928, the notes of the Last Post have broken the silence across the cobbled streets of Ypres, a town entirely rebuilt from the rubble and devastation that had been visited upon Flanders during the First World War.

The vast, white, Portland-stone walls of the Menin gates are engraved with the names of nearly 55,000 British and Commonwealth Soldiers lost on the field of battle but with no know graves; a son, a father, a brother. These men are long gone but the residents of Ypres make sure they are not forgotten.

Courtesy of Russell Edwards

Picture the scene: A man lies pole-axed on the floor whilst his colleagues plead with a higher source to help him and fight off the enemy; a scene from a Manchester derby? No, this is the Somme, 25th March 1918, the war to end all wars; Walter Tull about to draw his last breath.

Vincent Daniel was destined to follow the family trend and join the teaching profession until the Army was suggested as an alternative and means to learning a trade. On 4th September 1964; aged 19, he began basic training at Sutton Coldfield Barracks as a Fusilier with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Photograph curtesy of Gillian Hill

Once again the WAWI Project ensures Caribbean Contributions are remembered at the Parade in Birmingham City Centre, as well as at local church services including the Church of Ascension, Hall Green and Cannon Street, Baptist Church. 

Around the Commonwealth you will find people paying respects to all those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifce. 

Thank You One And All

We Will Remember All of Them

The WAWI Project supports any organisation that puts education at the top of their agenda. For that reason members were proud to be on parade at St Matins Church for a Service of Remembrance of the Birmingham Blitz and of Thanksgiving for the Survivors.

Its aim to commemorate the 2241 people who lost their lives during the Second World War bombing of Birmingham between 9th August 1940 and the 23rd April 1943.

British National Service started in 1947 shortly after the end of World War 2, formalised by the National Service Act of 1948. 

The rationale of National Service was in the event of another war breaking out; young men would be trained and ready to serve. Britain was obligated to provide protection across the Commonwealth but with only a limited number of men still in active service. 

Financially bankrupt, Britain sought assistance from the American Marshall Plan to aid her recovery but later withdrew her request due to too many strings attached.