Black British History – Caribbean Troops in WW1
BWI Troops
During the first world War the Caribbean sent a great many soldiers to aid the British war effort .
The British West India regiment fought in Africa and in Europe. They were generally used as advance troops and field attendants, they sustained heavy losses. Many of the troops who were wounded were brought back to Britain to convalesce.
Britain’s first black Officer was Walter Tull who also played football for Tottenham Hotspur.
The Commander of "Chaytor Force", New Zealander, Major General Sir E.W.C.Chaytor, pins on a decoration for gallantry under arms to an unidentified Corpaoral of the British West Indies Regiment - 1918.
Many of these soldiers were decorated for their bravery, and after being demobbed they decided to stay on in Britain.
Although once back in Britain they didn’t always receive a heroes welcome!!
Related Links
Related posts:
- Black British History – African Sea Farers
- Black Soldiers in the British Army – John Ellis
- Black British History – Some Light reading
- The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments During the Early Nineteenth Century.
- Discrimination in the British Armed Forces – 1914
To win we needed all the great men. These men were the heros of the wars that fought on foreign land.
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