WINDRUSH The Story So Far...

It was 75 years ago that the first significant Caribbean migrant voyage from Kingston Jamaica took place on the ship aptly named HMT Empire Windrush.

A vessel captured from the Germans during World War II and renamed, according to tradition, after a tributary in the picturesque county of Gloucestershire. Brittannia had ruled the waves for centuries and the very people whom they had colonised and enslaved during this “glorious” era were the ones enlisted to support the war effort. The war was over and the people of the tiny Caribbean islands, once awash with sugar plantations, the crystallised gold of the day, were ready to leave in search of a better life at the heart of the Empire.

In May 1948, when the opportunity arose as the half empty troopship HMT Empire Windrush docked in Kingston Harbour, many scrambled to raise the £28.10s required to make the journey. Dressed in their best, as was the norm when travelling in those days, those who managed to obtain a ticket boarded and waved a teary good-bye to loved ones. Many had hoped to return within 5 years with enough money to start a new life, whilst others, especially former soldiers, were eager to embark on a new life.

Today these people have created an indisputable legacy, having overcome more that 7 decades of tribulation and oppression. They can proudly lay claim to being an important part of modern British history. Having faced enormous difficulties, through their perseverance there is now a wealth of culture and richness they brought with them to this country. They and their descendants stand with pride as the men, women and children who made pioneering journeys during the middle of the last century to Britain which they now call home are honoured.

HRH King Charles III has made no secret of his plans for an allinclusive Britain. The Coronation in May was demonstrative of this and the pomp and ceremony included many leading figures from the Afro-Caribbean community in Britain. This year, 2023, Windrush 75 is truly a Jubilee Year for the many who came between 1948 and 1971 as well as their descendants.

Ten newly commissioned portraits have been undertaken by artists personally selected by the King.

A very contemporary exhibition with an eclectic mix of styles, background information of the lives of the artists and sitters will be televised during the Windrush Season by the BBC.

The exhibition, unveiled by HRH King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace in June, will become part of the Royal Collection. It will be on view at the Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh from 22nd June until mid-September and then at The National Portrait Gallery in London. The accompanying book with glossy photographs including portraits and details of the sitters and artists is available to purchase from: https://www. rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/windrush-portraits-of-apioneering-generation/palace-of-holyroodhouse

King Charles said “…in this special anniversary year, I wanted to pay my own heartfelt tribute to the role they have played in our nation’s story.”

The poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, captures for me the resilience and courage of the Windrush Generation. The poem features a conversation between a mother and her son where she explains the journey that she has been on. She does not sugar-coat her experiences and likens it to walking on a staircase that is certainly not beautifully carpeted, and neither is it inviting nor welcoming. She does however press on, keeping her end goal in mind. She navigates the darkness, anticipates what might be waiting for her around the hidden corners, deals with the splinters in the uncarpeted areas and manages to keep going. Let’s raise a glass to that generation in a spirit of thankfulness for engineering their own survival so that the generations to come may have the opportunity, not only to learn from them, but to thrive. We owe so much to them and commit to keep on going ready to hand the ‘baton’ over to the generation that follows.