First World War: Commemorations

Baroness Howells of St Davids Excerpts

Thursday 20th June 2013 Grand Committee

[Baroness Howells of St Davids]

My Lords, I am delighted to take part in this debate, which was introduced so eloquently by the noble Baroness, Lady Young of Hornsey. I will concentrate on the Caribbean and introduce the subject of World War II. One cannot overstate the enthusiasm and willingness of individuals from across the Caribbean to play a key role in Britain’s two world wars. To them, Britain was their mother country; to them, it was part of their heritage. Their collective loyalty to Britain manifested itself in many, many ways. Thousands risked their lives in service, some so anxious to serve that they lied about their age, often undertaking the most demanding and dangerous jobs against the elements of a climate truly alien to them. This loyalty was unrelenting.

Donations, which came despite communities’ own severe hardships, included aeroplanes and ambulances. Villages across the islands took down the gates and railings that protected their homes and contributed them to what was then known as the war effort. Women’s groups and schoolchildren knitted caps, gloves and scarves to keep the service men and women warm. To date, the sacrifices of those men and women have never truly been recognised—not with any tangible acknowledgement of their contribution. They are not even allowed to march as a group to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, something for which they have been fighting for a very long time.

History has shown us how these people were treated with shameful hostility. It is not within the capacity of this debate to fully appreciate the extent of the racism they encountered. I am reminded of the front page of the People. It showed a black man, calypsonian, with a blonde on one arm and a brunette on the other, with a caption reading, “Would you like your daughter to marry one of these?”—an insult to those who risked their lives and are still risking their lives for Britain. We are talking about those who gave everything to protect the values that too often we take for granted, that we share as an intrinsic part of this country’s heritage. Today’s Question is important because when the UN declared 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent, the Minister’s response to my Oral Question showed that Britain was not prepared to make any effort to recognise their contribution. His answer said absolutely nothing.

During the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Government completely ignored Caribbean nurses, the 16 to 20 year-olds who came to serve in the National Health Service. They were the pillars of the NHS. It was left to a voluntary organisation to make representations to Buckingham Palace directly. Her Majesty willingly gave her consent and medals have been struck for the best of the bunch. I declare an interest as a patron of that organisation.

Finally, I encourage people to take their children to the Museum of London in Canary Wharf. It tells the story of the marvellous contribution that was made. Some of your Lordships will remember that Mr Peel was responsible for setting up the police force. However, the Thames River Police was the first force, which was set up in the docks on the backs of the Caribbean enslaved. When the ships came in, the cargos were looted by the people of the East End. The magistrates set up the police force, and that is the foundation of today’s police force in England.

I look forward to the Minister’s response giving me some hope that the injustices suffered will be rectified by including those who are still alive and still hurting in the celebrations. I am sure that everyone here would like to participate in the plan.