Celebrating the Windrush: Joe Clough The first Black Bus Driver

To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush in Britain in 1948, From War to Windrush, a new special exhibition at the Imperial War Museum London tells the personal stories of West Indian people during the First and Second World Wars.

sing historical material and personal memorabilia, much of which will be on public display for the first time, From War to Windrush explores the involvement of Black men and women from the West Indies and Britain on the frontline and home front during these conflicts. The exhibition also examines how their experiences contributed to the establishment of Britain’s contemporary Caribbean populations.

Approximately 16,000 men from the West Indies volunteered to fight for Britain in the First World War, and over 10,000 servicemen and women answered the call of the ‘Mother Country’ during the Second World War. Thousands more served as merchant seamen. From War to Windrush explores how, despite facing discrimination during their service, many former Black West Indian servicemen and women and civilian war workers returned to settle in Britain after the Second World War.

The MV Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks on 21 June 1948. Four hundred and ninety-two West Indian passengers had paid the 10s (£28) fare to travel to Britain in search of work. Most were ex-servicemen. Although smaller numbers of West Indian passengers had previously arrived on other ships throughout 1947, the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush is now seen as a landmark in the making of a culturally diverse Britain. 4

From War to Windrush, 13 June 2008 – 29 March 2009, admission Free, Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ, www.iwm.org.uk/windrush. Enquiries 020 7416 5320/5321

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