76Th Anniversary Of Windrush Voyage.

[sandyRoe]

The voyagers were coming to help rebuild a nation that had been deeply scarred by the war.

There's now a 'Windrush Day', what will you be doing to celebrate it?

[-SharonA-]

And it was Naomi!

After the RAF my dad's first job paid him just £1 more than his job he left in Jamaica. Very beneficial indeed!!!

[fripfrip]

Anyone who has ever come to britain has come for one reason,to benefit themselves,the irish navvies did far more for britain when they came to build roads,canals,tunnels then windrush ever did,in my humble opinion.

[Old_Geezer]

Presumably many did step up to the plate. But one makes progress faster if others offer their services in addition. But no one twisted their arm, it was all consensual, and as such, needs no celebration day.

 

[naomi24]

Sharon, that's not a lot at all.  Would he not have being better off going back to Jamaica - and if so why didn't he?

[tomus42]

I'll be doing the same as I do on St George's day.

Ie nothing special. Probably shopping.

[Barmaid]

Well he sent me a beautiful rose bouquet and I cooked a three course meal and then we watched a film. We had no idea it was Windrush Day, but it was our wedding anniversary. 

[Barmaid]

And that's not to denigrate it for those who wish to celebrate it, but we do not celebrate any days other than family days.

[sandyRoe]

^ No better way to spend any day than celebrating an anniversary.

[sandyRoe]

fripfrip,

During the war the Irish navvies had to keep a close watch on time passing as they built airfields among other things.

After a certain time in the UK they'd become eligible for conscription.  They needed to go back to Ireland for a while and then return to continue their lucrative work.

Many of the volunteers who came from the West Indies went directly into the services.  They were there for the duration of the war.  And after it they struggled more than most to secure a place in society.

[-SharonA-]

Naomi, Let me tell you the story of my dad. Once his time was finished in the RAF, he was given a passage back home. Once arriving in Southampton to board the boat, he was met by the Ship's steward. The steward said to my dad "Why do you want to go back home? You're mad, you can have a good life here"

My Dad said it was an accumulation of things, the weather, Scotland where he was based & he was homesick.

So the steward then said that the boat was not ready to sail yet, it will be at least another hour. He told my dad to go and get something to eat and come back.

My dad return well within the hour, only to find the boat had sailed and was now a dot on the horizon!!!! 

So that's the reason he did not return home at the time, no money as his passage was paid for, so he stayed and the rest is history.

[Bazile]

That's both funny and sad Sharon .

How did he manage  immediately ?

Did he have somewhere / relatives  to return to after the ship sailed ; or was he left wandering the docks ?

[naomi24]

That's awful, Sharon.

[-SharonA-]

Dad was not alone as he had another person with him, Larry. They both decided to travel to London as there was not much in Southampton. They managed to get one room which they both shared and also managed to find work. But it was difficult encountering racism etc. They had no other family here and up to the end, dad and Larry remained good friends.