SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
TRENCH BROTHERS RESEARCH PROCESS Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage has been
behind Black and Minority Ethnic soldiers
It was hard to understand the huge
working with HMDT Music to deliver
from the British Indian Regiment, South
challenges of the travails of these men
a series of research reports in 2018,
African Labour Corps and the British west
and their long journeys to the area from
exploring responses of the local Sussex
Indies Regiment and their links to the
all corners of the globe to fight for King
community to the Indian military hospitals
villages and camps of Sussex.
and Country and the difficulties which
in Brighton and BWIR training camp in Seaford during World War I.
they faced to do so. We were pleased to find new material
We worked with 17 trained volunteers
During this time we met monthly in Brighton to support this analysis, attended talks about The Chattri
of a variety of ages and experience over
memorial to Indian soldiers, about
material to help build a picture of how
a six month period to look into local
researching these diverse lives at
men from the other side of the world
archives such as The Keep and through
heritage venues with Dr Chris Kempshall,
integrated into local life in the South East
visits to related sites such as Seaford
a tour of Seaford with local historian
and the perceptions and experiences
cemetery to find out more about this
Kevin Gordon and regular meetings to
gained as a result.
unique period of British history and
share knowledge and findings amongst
uncover the fascinating and often stories
the research team.
and collate and contextualize existing
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
BRITISH WEST INDIES REGIMENTS (BWIR)
CONTEXT In 1915 Britain’s War Office, which had initially opposed recruitment of West Indian troops, agreed to accept volunteers from the West Indies. A new regiment was formed, the British West Indies Regiment (BWIR), which served in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It was decided that Black volunteers should be sent to Seaford in Sussex whilst awaiting decisions on recruitment and deployment.
The formation of the BWIR didnot give soldiers from the West Indies the opportunity to fight as equals alongside white soldiers. Instead, the War Office largely limitedtheir participation to ‘labour’ duties.The use of BWIR soldiers in supporting roles intensified during the Battle of the Somme as casualties among fighting troops meant that reinforcements were needed in the frontline.
INSPECTION OF 2ND CONTINGENT BRITISH WEST INDIAN TROOPS BEFORE DEPARTURE KINGSTON JANUARY 1916
BWIR troops were engaged in numerous support roles on the Western Front, including digging trenches, building roads and gun emplacements, acting as stretcher bearers, loading ships and trains, and working in ammunition dumps.
2ND BRITISH WEST INDIAN REGT CONTINGENT KINGSTON JAMAICA 7 MARCH 1916 – AFTER MARCH PAST ON DAY OF DEPARTURE
SEAFORD TRAINING CAMP The first contingent of men from the Caribbean arrived in Seaford on 5th September 1915, with 750 more men arriving in October 1915, marching from Seaford railway station to the North Camp, where the British West Indies Regiment was established on 26th October 1915. On 25th November 1915, a further 725 black recruits arrived at Seaford Railway Station and were billeted at B North camp too.
BRITISH WEST INDIAN TROOPS IN SEAFORD, 1916
BANDS WHICH HEADED THE 2ND CONTINGENT NEARING THE GOVERNOR WHO TOOK THE SALUTE, KINGSTON JAMAICA 7 JANUARY 1916
ILLNESS Poor accommodation in training camps in England resulted in men of the BWIR developing frostbite and pneumonia. Conditions in the training camps in Seaford were terrible. The men were housed in hastily knocked up huts, which barely kept out the elements, and as a result, men more used to tropical climates quickly became ill with mumps, pneumonia and influenza. Local hospitals were full to overflowing and 19 men died of these in the winter of 1915-16 alone. There were protests in 1915 as a result, led by Henry Somerset,
a Guyanese ex-policeman and engineer, but all that happened was that the leaders were sent home in disgrace. Proper training was impossible.
England, a number of men also died from disease common to this county, but which men from the Caribbean didn’t have immunity to such as mumps and pneumonia.
In addition, in March 1916, a ship transporting BWIR men from Jamaica, the SS Verdala, was diverted into a blizzard near Halifax, Canada, to avoid any lurking German warships. As a result of inadequate equipment, over 600 men suffered from exposure and frostbite, 106 men required amputations and at least five men died. Once in
In Seaford in East Sussex where there was a large encampment of soldiers numbering around 45,00 men, there are more than 300 Commonwealth War Graves and nineteen of these headstones display the crest of the BWIR in Seaford cemetery.
PHYSICAL DRILL FOR 2ND CONTINGENT BRITISH WEST INDIAN TROOPS
SEAFORD CEMETERY The town cemetery was opened in 1887, and there are 253 World War One Graves there. 19 of them belong to the men who had travelled from the West Indies and died while training at Seaford. It took until the 1990s for these men to be remembered and commemorated. In 1994, the first memorial service was held for them, and attended by members of the London-based West Indian Ex-Services Association. In 2006, members of the families of some of the soldiers travelled from the West Indies to visit the grave
ATTITUDES IN SUSSEX As a port town, Seaford was historically one of significance, and since mediaeval times had experienced lots of trade and travel from foreign lands. As a result, seeing non-white faces wasn’t uncommon, with two black people being married at a local church in 1683 and a black member of the local Freemasons in 1822.
time of the BWIR residency in the town, however on the whole it seems that the men were largely accepted by the locals, with the affectionate moniker ‘Westies’ for West Indians. A number of the soldiers were smartly dressed and well educated and as members of the British Empire, accustomed to certain traditions.
Presumably there would have been some challenges with racism at the
Many of them became friends with local residents. The Eastbourne
Chronicle reported at the time, that ‘At the outset, local people were inclined, not unnaturally, to be sceptical at the arrival of these strange soldiers of the King, and therefore the tribute of praise is all the more sincere when, after a couple of months’ experience, the residents generally speak in high terms of the behaviour of these men. Their presence is a striking tribute to the strength of the British Empire.’
THE LADIES COMMITTEE In November 1915, a Ladies Committee was established in London chaired by the Countess of Stamford. The committee set about improving the life of men at the Seaford Camp and supplying much needed warm clothing as well as cigars and cigarettes. The committee also arranged a flag day across the Caribbean islands. The
money was used to provide the men with parcels which contained handkerchiefs, soap, boots,badges, clothing, writing materials, shaving equipment, games, fruit, wallets, books and magazines. The Ladies Committee petitioned for equality of pay for the British West Indies Regiment. The Army had
designated the regiment as a Native unit and until Army Order 1918 they were paid less than ‘regular’ (in other words, white) troops. The difference in pay was not based on the fact that black soldiers came from the colonies; white soldiers recruited in South Africa were not subject to this discrimination.
DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST ELEVEN MEN TO ENLIST
THE LORD MAYOR’S PARADE In November 1915 a group of black soldiers marched in the Lord Mayor’s Parade in London. The Daily News called them ‘huge and mighty men of valour’. As well as troops from the colonies, German prisoners-of-war and captured guns were paraded at the 1915 Lord Mayor’s Show. The parade, to introduce the new Lord Mayor of London, has
taken place annually, in peacetime and war alike, since 1852. The 1915 parade was timed to coincide with ten recruitment meetings and as the parade passed the recruiting offices more and more men joined the parade. Confirmation of BWIR soldiers The following month, 53 West Indian
soldiers joined local people to be confirmed by the Bishop of Lewes. The Chronicle reported that it was ‘inspiring to see the reverent attitude of the soldiers, who, being 4,000 miles from home, discharge their duty to the Empire and found a warm welcome in their mother church’.
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS The Seaford branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters, which had many members serving in the armed forces, discovered that several of the West Indian soldiers at the North Camp were members of their own organisation. They were duly invited to attend local meetings.
During one of these, Private Clement of the Pride of Hope Court of the Foresters of Trinidad said, ‘We have left our homes and comforts because the call-to-arms is as much to us as it is to an Englishman. We are all British and are proud to be members of the Empire and we will shed our last drop of blood to uphold its integrity.’
RECRUITING MEETING BRUNSWICK SQUARE 28 FEBRUARY 1916
LOCAL SUBVERSION Not everyone in Seaford was so accommodating. In October 1915 Lawrence Graham appeared at Lewes Magistrates charged with disaffection for making remarks likely to jeopardise recruiting to His Majesty’s Forces. Graham had accosted black soldiers, telling them that white men should be left to fight their own battles: ‘West Indians are fools for fighting for the Empire. Why don’t you lay down your arms and do no fighting?’ In the bar of a Seaford hotel he asked two black soldiers
why they had enlisted on such little pay when Churchill, Asquith and Lloyd-George were being paid £15,000 a year. For his subversion Graham was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Further evidence of the acceptance of the men locally is shown by the visit, in December 1915, of two headmasters from schools in Trinidad and British Guiana to Church Street School Seaford. There is also a remarkable letter that
has survived from Private Hughes. Private 875 Eric Hughes of the British West Indies Regiment wrote to two Seaford girls, Dorothy and Doris. He had evidently met the girls before as he sent his regards to their mother; then he asked the girls if they would accompany him to the cinema on Thursday night. We have no way of knowing whether Eric got his double date but it says much for race relations at the time that he had the confidence to ask.
AFTER THE WAR AND HOME AGAIN: (THOSE THAT RETURNED HOME) By 1919 they were home, but there was no heroes’ welcome for them as there was in Europe. White Colonials feared them, and, in fact, the soldiers of the BWIR were left with a feeling of rebellion against their white oppressors, which encouraged them to push for independence and in time led to a huge change in the Caribbean.
PATRIOTIC MEETING COLUMBUS SQUARE
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
CASE STUDIES
TRINIDAD ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS ON PARADE
CLARENCE ALGERNON LOCHART MAIS Private Clarence Algernon Mais was born
short stay in Canada, contracting the
POST WAR
a Christian to Mr & Mrs E.C. Mais of New
Pneumonia to which he would succumb
The sheer number of deaths recorded
Monklands, Trinity Ville, Jamaica – a small
shortly thereafter. Given the time passage
within Mais’ regiment at this time may
town to the East of Kingston in 1898.
from Canada to Seaford would take and
also serve to explain why he appears
his worsening condition it is doubtful
as little more than a side note in his
MILITARY CAREER
whether Mais ever began his training
Battalion’s War Diary. Mais only receives
Clarence was one of the first 500 men
in Seaford. It is rather more likely that
a passing mention in his Battalion’s War
to set sail, on November 8th 1915,from
upon his arrived he was escorted to the
Diary – a single line noting his death.
Jamaica to serve in the First World War
Summerdown Convalescent Camp in
Of the 500 strong contingent who left
under the command of Major Neish. He
Eastbourne, where he died January 12th
Jamaica in November, it is estimated that
joined up with the 2nd Battalion, British
1916, aged 18, without ever experiencing
only around 200 survived.
West Indies Regiment where his service
combat on any front. He was only in the
number was 2004.
UK for a month prior to his death.
Before arriving in Seaford, East Sussex,
Mais is buried in Seaford Cemetery in
Mais’ ship was diverted via Halifax, Nova
Sussex. His parents requested a cross on
Scotia where the light weight uniforms
his headstone, along with the phrase “Till
bestowed upon the BWIR by the British
he come 1.Cor. 11. 26.” (from the Bible:
Army proved useless against the
“For whenever you eat this bread and
onslaught of snow and frost.
drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s
Given the short period of time served
death until he comes”), to represent his
within the army prior to his death it
Christian faith.
is likely that Mais was affected by his
PRIVATE REGINALD HUBERT LAING Reginald Hubert Laing was born in Belize
regiment fought in the Eastern theatre of
or died shortly thereafter either of
City, British Honduras (now Belize) in
war, seeing action in Egypt and Palestine.
complications from injuries from the
1896 to Clarissa Clementina & Reginald Holcombe Laing.
battlefield or from the Pneumonia Reginald died at the tender age of 20.
outbreak that spread through the Seaford
The causes of his death are unclear.
camp towards the end of 1915.
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Though we know he died in Eastbourne
Like many of his countrymen, Reginald
and is buried in Seaford we don’t know
After his death he was buried in Seaford
signed up to supplement the British
what he died of. Family testimony
Cemetery, East Sussex. At the request
Expeditionary Forces on the back of a
indicated that he was awarded a ‘Medal
of his parents, his headstone is adorned
wave of patriotism that swept across the
of Honor’ for his service in the war
with a cross and inscribed with ‘At Rest’.
British Empire following the outbreak of
however; his medal card notes that he
Reginald’s name is inscribed on the war
the First World War. He joined up with
was in fact given a British War Medal.
monument in Memorial Park, Belize City.
Regiment with the rank of Private and a
The British War Medal was awarded
POST WAR
service number 1698.
for those that either served for 28 days
Hubert was awarded a posthumous
of mobilised service or died on active
medal and gratuity approved in
Reginald was 19 when his contingent
service before its completion. From this
Jamaica in August 1920 with a credit of
shipped from Belize in 1915, arriving at
we can infer that Hubert either died
£3.0s.0d. The funds were authorised to
Seaford training camp later that year.
of wounds received on the battlefield
Adelaide Laing, Hubert’s Grandmother in
After training in Seaford Reginald’s
before the completion of his service
October 1920.
the 2nd Battalion, British West Indies
NELSON FEVRIER Nelson was born in 1894 in Micoud, St.
POST WAR
Lucia, British West Indies to Alphonse
Nelson received the British War Medal in
Fevrier and Brebin Louis.
1921. This was similar for all those BWIR soldiers buried in Seaford.
MILITARY CAREER
Nelson’s grave plot row and stone
Nelson joined the BWIR 2nd Battalion as
number are 589 and 51. Nelson was
a Private with the service number 1150 in
awarded £3.00 in war gratuity from the
around September 1915.
British government, which his parents collected in August 1920.
Nelson died aged 22 on Wednesday 5th January 1916 in North Camp, Seaford, Sussex, There is no clear information about how exactly he died but it is understood that flu and cold-related illnesses were the source of many of the men’s deaths.
DENNIS FEVRIER Born in approximately 1893 in Micoud, St.
their deaths. Dennis was buried in
Lucia, British West Indies, Dennis’ parents
Seaford where he died. There is no
were to Alphonse Fevrier and Brebin
clear information about how exactly the
Louis.
brothers died but it is understood that flu and cold-related illnesses were the
MILITARY CAREER
source of many of the men’s deaths.
Dennis joined up with the BWIR 2nd Battalion as a Private. His service
POST WAR
number was 1149. Dennis joined the
Dennis died in 1916. His grave plot row
BWIR around the same time as his
and stone number are 3018 and 213.
brother Nelson Fevrier, in approximately
Dennis was also awarded £3.00 in war
September 1915.
gratuity from the British government in August 1920. Nobody collected
The Fevrier brothers stayed in the UK from around September 1915 until
this reward.
BENJAMIN ALBERT VAN GRONIGEN Benjamin was born in British Guiana. He
MILITARY CAREER
of £0.19s.3d. C102 to be accredited
was the son of Joseph and Grace Van
in event of further credit. Account
Gronigen of Christiansburg, near the
Lance Corporal Van Gronigen joined up with the BritishWest Indies Regiment,
sugar plantations and Demerera River.
Second Battalion with the service
Authority: 10th December 1920/2.
Religion: Possibly Scottish Kirk as there’s a
number 1534.
Christian cross on his gravestone. He died on 8th January 1916 at Eastbourne Benjamin’s mother’s ancestors were
and was buried at Seaford – Plot 567. He
Pattersons. There is no direct link but
was 27 at the time of hisdeath.
the surname goes back to earlier Dutch colonialists. It could be that Benjamin
POST WAR
was descended from these families or
Joseph Van Groningen collected his son’s
sometimes slaves were given the names
effects which were issued to him on 10th
of their owners and their descendants
December 1920/2. There was also a War
bear the surname centuries later. Van
gratuity of £3 0s. 0d. Notice of this award
Gronigen could have been descended
was issued on a list by the Government
from the Scottish or Dutch plantation
Secretary, British Guiana.
owners themselves. The stamp reads: War Gratuity Effects: The Demerara region had strong links to
1920 21; Transfer 1354 1 12/20
the Scottish Kirks who had colonised the
(1.12.1920?); Reg. Paper: 2219; Serial
area, with the church leaders and families having emigrated from Scotland.
No.: 35485; credits: £2.5s.9d. and £0.14s.3d.; charges: £3.0s.0d. Cheque
date: British Guiana July 1921; Date of
GEORGE DUNCAN George was probably born in Trinidad,
POST WAR
little else about him is known.
He received a British War medal granted under Army orders on the 21st
MILITARY CAREER
December 1921 but this was unclaimed.
He joined the British West Indies
He is commemorated on Port of Spain
Regiment, First Battalion with the rank
Cenotaph, Trinidad.
of Private. His service number was 1385. George was probably part of the second contingent who sailed from Trinidad on 17th November 1915 on the ship ex H.M.T. “Magdelena�. George sailed from Trinidad on the 17th November 1915 to join the 1st Battalion but died in Newhaven a month later from pneumonia on the 19th December 1915. He was buried in Seaford cemetery.
LUCIEN STEPHEN Private Lucien Stephen was born it is
He died in Newhaven on 24th December
believed in Trinidad in the Caribbean.
1915 shortly after arrival in Sussex and
Nothing else about him is known.
was buried at Seaford in Plot 588.
MILITARY CAREER
POST WAR
Private Stephen joined up with the British
This soldier was awarded a British War
West Indies Regiment, First Battalion with
medal granted under Army orders on the
the service number 488. He was part of
21st December 1921: Status: Unclaimed.
the 1st. Public Contingent from the West
The Command Paymaster based in
Indies which sailed from Trinidad on 18h
Jamaica: authorized the amount of
September 1915 on the H.M.T. “Verdala”.
£1.2s.1d as a gratuity, but sadly his medal
This event is commemorated on the
and effects still remained unclaimed
Port of Spain Cenotaph. Found on the
by 1924.
Caribbean Roll of Honour website.
LUTHER. G. BENNETT This soldier was born in about 1897
MILITARY CAREER
on the Caribbean although some West
He became a Private with the British
Indies Soldiers put British over their
West Indies Regiment. His Service
own country of birth, being classed as
number was 2159
British Citizens. Private Bennett was around 19 when he died in March 1916 in Newhaven. He was buried in Seaford Cemetery in Sussex.
WILSON ERASMUS DANIEL Wilson Daniel was a Guyanese national.
He may have been friends with or joined
He was the son of Frederick and Rachael
up with Van Gronigen as they are both
Daniel of Demerara, British Guiana.
from the same town in Guyana. He died 10 days after Van Gronigen on 18th
MILITARY CAREER
January 1916, aged 21. He lies in Grave
Wilson was ranked as a Private with
568, situated next to Van Gronigen’s
the British West Indies Regiment.
grave in Seaford Cemetery.
His service number was 80. The gravestone in Seaford reads: W.L. Daniel which is inaccurate.
INKERMAN ROMNEY Inkerman was born circa 1885 in
a Commonwealth War Dead Grave
St. Lucia, Trinidad.
Memorial (Ref. 2674) in Seaford Cemetery, Sussex, and has latterly been
MILITARY CAREER
commemorated on the Port of Spain
He joined up as a Private with the British
Cenotaph in Trinidad.
West Indies Regiment. His service number was 1087. He was part of the
POST WAR
1st Public Contingent which sailed from
Warley appears to be the Officer who
Trinidad on 18th September 1915 on the
signs off at Seaford. His name appears on
ex H.M.T. ship “Verdala”. Following a long
other records of the deceased soldiers
detour to Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada
there. His award and compensation was
in the middle of winter, Inkerman like
authorised on 23rd September 1916 to
many others on board were inadequately
Colonel Tardis of The Treasury, Castries,
dressed and unused to the cold) became
St. Lucia, British West Indies. The amount
seriously ill.
was £2.19s.3d. for local distribution,
He died on 20th November 1915 of acute pneumonia. He was buried in
although it is unclear whether “for local
distribution” means to use locally if unclaimed by relatives.
JAMES L. BROWN Although James Brown was born in the
Stuart and Cyril Gabriel who were also from
other cyclists, Cyril Gabriel was to die on
Caribbean his nationality is down asBritish.
St Vincent.
active service and is buried at Jerusalem Cemetery in the Holy Land.
MILITARY CAREER
They returned from Eastbourne after dark
He joined the army with the rank of
but ensured that their cycle lamps were
James Brown lies in a Commonwealth War
Corporal in the British West Indies
lit, but on travelling down the hill towards
Dead Grave with the reference 2677 at
Regiment; 1st Battalion. He was from St
Exceat Farm (now the Seven Sisters Visitor
Seaford Cemetery in Sussex.
Vincent. His service number was 572. It
Centre) James Brown lost control and
seems possible that he came over onthe
crashed into atree and hit his head.
HMT. “Verdala” from Trinidad with1st. Contingent on 18th September 1915.
He died at the scene before a doctor (Lieutenant Walker of the Royal Army
He died tragically on 21st November1915,
Medical Corps) could attend. He was taken
killed when he had abicycle accident
to the Ravenscroft Hospital which was a
at Exceat Bridge, near Seaford, Sussex.
converted school run by the Red Cross
Corporal Brown and two other WestIndian
where his brother, who was also a member
soldiers, looking to explore the local
of the West Indian Regiment formally
countryside hired bicycles from William
identified him.
Allen, a ‘cycle agent’ in Broad Street, Seaford. He warned them to take care on
The subsequent inquest returned averdict
the hills.The other soldiers were William
of accidental death. Sadly, one ofthe
FITZHERBERT A. CAINS Fitzherbert was from Chatham, Trinidad.
He died in Newhaven of bronchitis on
He was born in 1896.
the 3rd January 1916 aged 20, another casualty of the Nova Scotia disaster. He
MILITARY CAREER
is buried in Seaford Cemetery in grave
Joining up as a Private in the British West
reference 3022. He is commemorated
Indies Regiment, Fitzherbert became
at Port of Spain Cenotaph, Chatham,
part of the 1st Battalion with the service
Trinidad. His British War Medal was
number 580.
never claimed.
He was part of the first Public Contingent, sailing from Trinidad on 18th September 1915 on the ship ex H.M.T. “Verdala�.
JAMES O’MEALLY Like some of the other BWIR men,
He received a posthumous
O’Meally is registered as being
Soldiers’ War Gratuity of £3.2s.10d
British, although he was in fact born in
authorised in Jamaica in September of
Jamaica. Born in 1895, he was a
1916. This sum was paid to a
Christian by religion.
Ms Arabella on receipt of a certificate to the effect that she maintained the
MILITARY CAREER
departed during infancy and childhood.
Joining up as a Private, he became part of the British West Indian Regiment;
It seems James was without parents and
in the 2nd Battalion. His service number
a relative, so must have been difficult
being 2039.
to claim his effects and gratuity without
the lady who looked after him was not
documentary proof. However, O’Meally’s Like so many of his compatriots, he tragically died shortly after arrival
name was ticked off the collection page,
in Seaford, Sussex on 21st December
were collected.
so it appears his effects and medal
1915 aged only 20 and was buried in the cemetery there. His body lies
Over half of the names on this list were
in a Commonwealth War Dead Grave.
signed uncollected next to their medals
The memorial reference for this is 610.
and effects, as late as 1924. The officer signing off has a difficult to read signature
POST WAR
but it looks like Colin Huber was the
As on previous occasions, his death was registered by the presiding army officer
Officer in Charge, BWIR. Jamaica, 21st December 1921.
Warley in January 1916.
NATHANIEL PHILLIPS
P. BYLES
Much is unknown about Private Nathaniel
buried in a Commonwealth War Dead
No information is known about Private
Phillips including his Caribbean origins
Grave with the reference 693, in the
Byles unfortunately other than that he
and that he was born in around 1888.
Seaford Cemetery, Sussex. His death was
like others joined up with the British
registered at the same time as another
West Indies Regiment and was given the
MILITARY CAREER
Nathaniel Phillips nearby in Eastbourne.
service number 13576. He died on 29th
Joining the British West Indies Regiment;
It is unknown if this was an error on the
November 1915, so presumably was also
Unit: 1st Battalion, Phillips’ Service
army’s part or just coincidence.
afflicted with the curse of the Troopship
Public Contingent, which sailed from
POST WAR
Verdala which saw so many afflicted from harrowing and frozen conditions. He was
Trinidad on 18th September 1915 on the
Nathaniel’s British War Medal was still
buried at Seaford in Sussex.
ex H.M.T. ship “Verdala”.
unclaimed by family as late as 1924. He is
Number was 447. He was part of the 1st
however commemorated on the Port of He died suddenly in England on 9th November 1915 aged 27, and was
Spain Cenotaph in Trinidad.
WILLFRED BERGMANN CHRISTIAN WILLIAM Willfred William is listed as hailing from
MILITARY CAREER
tremendously from pneumonia, and
St. Andrew, British West Indies. There
William became a Private in the British
hypothermia as a result.
are however two St Andrew districts,
West Indies Regiment the same as his
one in Grenada and another in Jamaica.
other compatriots. He joined up with the
He was 27 when he died, although his
It is unknown which of these William
2nd Battalion of the Regiment and was
gravestone has his age marked as 31.
originated from.
given the service number 2430.
With no concrete date of birth and no clear death records, it is hard to ascertain
He was born around 1885. And was
He died on the 4th January 1916, causes
which is most accurate. He was buried
baptised a Christian. He was the son
unknown but it would seem probably of
alongside other BWIR soldiers in a
of Samuel William and his wife Ebelly
similar illnesses as other BWIR soldiers
Commonwealth War Dead Grave with
Handson, of Morris Bank, St.Andrew,
who sailed on the troopship Verdala
the reference 566 at Seaford Cemetery
British West Indies.
which was routed to Nova Scotia in
in Sussex.
Canada in a harsh winter and suffered
HAROLD CONSTANTINE GRUBB Born in Jamaica, Grubb was the Son
of severe neck pain. He was transferred
of Samuel Lawrence Grubb and Zillah
to the camp hospital but died two hours
displayed an announcement ‘Mr and Mrs S.L. Grubb of Friendship Pen, return their
Celeste Grubb, of Lethe, Anchovy,
after arriving at the hospital on 13th
sincere thanks to the many kind friends
Jamaica. He had been a member of
December 1915 aged only 18, one of
who have sent letters of sympathy for the
the St James Company of the Jamaica
the youngest to lie in Seaford cemetery.
loss of their beloved son Harold,
Reserve Regiment and was one of the
He died eight days after another BWIR
who died in December last at the
first islanders to sign up with the army.
soldier O’Meally, who hailed from the
Contingent Training camp in England’.
The Daily Gleaner newspaper of 28th
same district and was buried in an
December 1915 noted Grubb was
adjacent plot in Seaford Cemetery in
’favorably known in the community and
Sussex. His tombstone has the words
was a very quiet and well-behaved young
‘Sacred to his memory. Died for King and
man who was well thought of’ (Thanks to
Country’ at the bottom.
Kevin Gordon, Seaford Historian for this research).
His friend Private Dunn wrote home to his family on 16th December to say
MILITARY CAREER
‘Dear Mother, I am sorry to say we
Grubb joined up with the British West
have lost one of our best friends, Harold
Indies Regiment 2nd Battalion, was given
Grubb from Lethe. You will doubtless
the service number of 2235 and ranked
remember him as the lad who used to
as a Private.
be with me over the shop when he came down to drill. Well, he was one of the
After a morning in church on Sunday 12th December, Grubb was in good spirits,
jolliest amongst us’.
but the following day was complaining
On 6th January 1916, The Daily Gleaner
G.J. GAYLE
HUBERT “BERTIE� ABRAHAM
Gayle joined up with the British West
Hubert was born in 1883, in Gouyave, Grenada. POST WAR He was survived by his sister Agatha
Indies Regiment as a Private. His service
Abraham of Sangre Grande, Trinidad
number was 2538. He died of causes unknown on 26th January 1916 and
MILITARY CAREER
and brother Frank Abraham, however
was buried at Weston Hill Cemetery,
He joined the British West Indies
his British War Medal and Victory Medal
Plymouth, Devon.
Regiment in 1915 with the 1st Battalion.
were unclaimed still by 1924 although
His rank was as Private and he remained
for some families, the journey to another
It seems from the dates and service
one throughout the war despite serving
Caribbean island or district to collect
number that this soldier was with the
for three years. His service number
these would have been too difficult
other BWIR soldiers at Seaford, and
was 537.
or expensive.
transferred to Plymouth, possibly when ill, for further training.
Hubert died of pneumonia on 23rd October 1918 in Palestine State and was buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. He was 35. It is sad that he was one of the first BWIR soldiers to come to Seaford and survived the war until the last two weeks before Armistice.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS CAMERON
SCIPIO CALLENDER
HENRY T.CADOGAN
George joined up with the BWIR as
Scipio was possibly from Trinidad and
Sergeant Cadogan was from Guiana and
Acting Sergeant. His service number
Tobago before joining the British West
joined up with the British West Indies
was 64.
Indies Regiment as a Corporal with the
Regiment. His service number was 56.
service number 323.
He had lived in the Police Headquarters; Guiana prior to the war so must have
Unusually he survived World War I and was living at 9, Camp Street, Guiana in
He survived WW1 and was one of the first
been with the police. He was another
1922. He was one of the very first BWIR
soldiers to be stationed at the camp in
early recruit for Seaford who went
Seaford soldiers, who went through WW1
Seaford. He was awarded both the British
through the war and survived and was
and survived.
War Medal and Victory Medal, although it
listed as alive in 1922.
is unknown whether he claimed these.
JOSIAH BABB Babb was born in 1895, in Guiana and trained as a Blacksmith. MILITARY CAREER
He joined with the British West Indies Regiment as a Private with the service number 1016. He was originally stationed at Seaford upon arrival in England, but transferred to and discharged in Plymouth due to ‘Sickness: Disordered action of the heart/ dyspnoea’. Pneumonia or tuberculosis
could cause this.
transferred to Plymouth by boat after initial training at Seaford. Babb was discharged from Withnoe Camp, Plymouth, Devon, UK on 17th July 1916. He was deemed according to the British Army as ‘Not likely to become an efficient soldier’; although it was deemed that his military character was ‘Good’. POST WAR
Babb returned to Sussex Street, Georgetown, Demerara following his discharge. He was awarded a
Josiah would have just come from the sickness and deaths at Seaford Camp. The Seaford Soldiers were
medal for his service but this is listed as unclaimed.
With thanks to the Imperial War Museum and Historian Kevin Gordon for their support with this research. Seaford Cemetery Photos by Nicola Benge
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
BRITISH INDIAN REGIMENTS (BIR)
CONTEXT When war broke out, India was in a state of growing political unrest, with the Indian National Congress party pushing for self-government. However, it was believed that the cause of Indian independence would be best served by helping Britain in whatever capacity possible. Offers of financial and military help were made from all over the country and from areas outside British India. Of course, war means casualties. These men needed a place to treat
them – near to where the hospital ships docked. In Brighton and Hove- the Royal Pavilion, Dome and Corn Exchange, as well as the old workhouse were set up as makeshift hospitals for the Indian soldiers. It is notable that the Cabinet Office decided that the British Indian Labour Corps should not be allowed to serve in the UK. One reference for this decision is from the War Cabinet on June 29, 1917, CAB/23/3.
Labour in France was, later in the war, handled by the few remaining Indian Troops who had not been sent to Mesopotamia or to Gallipoli. For this research we have therefore focussed on the Mule Corps because they were the only low caste/non-combatant Indian troops to be found.
BRIGHTON DOME AS A MILITARY HOSPITAL
Image by permission of Royal Pavilion Museums, Brighton and Hove
BRIGHTON In 1914, the early months of history’s most unforgiving conflict, Britain found herself short of experienced soldiers; such was the ferocity of the new battlefield weaponry they faced. The onus to fill the void fell on the sons of Empire. Muslims, Sikhs and Hindu men left their homes for a journey to the darkest corner of earth – Europe’s Western Front. Heroic fighters who valued battlefield honour above all else, tales of their sacrifice and valor lived long. Many of the men did not. Many more were wounded, and it is in Brighton where a large contingent were brought to convalesce from this conflict. Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is an instantly recognisable architectural delight, with its Indian-style minarets and oriental domes reminiscent of a maharaja’s palace. Converted into
a 722-bed hospital it became home to 2,300 soldiers of Empire during the war. The rumour – the British authorities made no effect to quash – was that this the home of KingEmperor George V himself, specially vacated for wounded heroes. In times of war, morale is the powerful weapon. Speaking of his time in the Royal Pavilion hospital in Brighton and Hove was Subedar-Major Sardar Bahadur Gugan (6th Jats): ‘Everything is such as one would not see even in a dream. One should regard it as fairyland. The heart cannot be satiated with seeing the sights, for there is no other place like this in the world. It is as if one were in the next world… I have never been so happy in my life as I am here.’ Efforts were made to accommodate
the needs of the varied religions and castes, Muslim soldiers had meat prepared in accordance with Islamic rites, whereas Hindus and Sikhs had a separate supply. Pork was banned from the grounds. Gas-fired ovens were provided for Indian cooks, who made dal and chapattis for the sick men. Authorities were acutely aware that the loyalty of these far flung soldiers were crucial to hopes of victory, and barely a day past without a visit from dignitaries conveying best wishes. We know all this from the swathes of letters written by the stricken men to family and loved ones back home. Although this written history is also a product of the fog of war – many of the soldiers were illiterate and conveyed their messages to hospital scribes.
Any sentiments expressing the futility and injustice of Europe’s conflict were struck out by the censor’s pen. The recipients were usually no more literate than the sender, providing its own complications. But this was the way of things; across India the city of Brighton became synonymous with restoration and health - a blessed place where their son’s and husbands slept in the King’s own home. For many beyond Britain’s shores on the Indian subcontinent, the children and grandchildren of Muslim, Sikh and Hindu soldiers in the Great War, the word Brighton resonates entirely differently from Kiss Me Quick hats. It is a place of healing, of hope, and, too often, the duel loss of war - the loss of life and loss of innocence. Some have called the experience of these brave men who convalesced in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion between
1914–16, a forgotten history. ‘They take great care of us here such as no one else would take, except a man’s mother, not even his wife,’ Bir Singh, a Sikh of 55th Rifles. It is often thought that World War One was a European War, fought exclusively by Europeans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the fact that
the mainstream media makes precious little effort to acknowledge the contributions of Non Europeans. There were lots of Black and Asian soldiers in WW1. Britain ruled India and had colonies in the Caribbean, Africa & Asia, as well as many other places around the world. India’s contribution to the First World War is not widely known about, despite the fact that it raised the world’s largest volunteer army.
LETTERS Sick and wounded men wrote letters home to their families and loved ones and these suggest that for the most part, the Indian soldiers did feel well cared for and comfortable. Although archival letters show that some soldiers were more candid than others about their experiences.
Many of the letters from Indian soldiers contain content about their experiences for the first time of Europe and European ways. Many more about their homesickness. The pain of separation wasn’t only confined to the soldiers, but
As many men were illiterate, their letters were sometimes written by another soldier who could write (a scribe), and then perhaps sent to the recipient who was also illiterate and needed another to read the letter to them.
The census of India at the time shows that 94% of the Indian population was illiterate. Only a few soldiers might have been literate, such as officers or company clerks. This means that most soldiers and their families would have used letter
family members in India sent messages
begging their sons and brothers to return home.
writers and readers to read and write their letters. Letters sometimes included instructions to the reader such as: To the person who reads this letter to my father, it is to be read out only to him and alone. Here is an extract of a letter home from an Indian soldier in WW1 sent from Brighton by Rifleman Amar Singh Rawat to Dayaram Jhapaliyal: Kitchener’s Indian Hospital, Brighton. Originally written in Garhwali, 1st April 1915: ‘The condition of affairs in the war is like leaves falling off a tree, and no empty space remains on the ground.
So it is here: the earth is full of dead men and not a vacant spot is left. As many of the men got wounded, they live – the rest are killed. One has to stay on top of the corpses and even sleep on them, because not an empty place remains anywhere. Such is the scene that goes on here. You have heard that the war between the Kauris and Pandevs* was a great conflict, but it was not so great a fight as this one. When we attacked the German trenches** we used the bayonet and the kukri, and the bullets flew about more thickly than drops of rain. The Germans lost a lot and we also had many casualties. Consider this true, there was not an empty spot on the ground. In some places men had lost their eyes, in others men (were) without legs, but what could one do? As is in one’s
fate, so it will happen. Such is the scene and one was powerless. Now I have not any sure confidence that I will see you people again; there is nothing but hopelessness.‘
*He is referring here to the central conflict of the Mahabharata. **At the battle of Neuve Chappelle 10-13th March 1915.
Letter from: David Omissi (ed.), Indian Voices of the Great War: Soldiers’ Letters, 19141918 (Palgrave-Macmillan, 1999)
Letter written by an Indian soldier in Brighton, courtesy of Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton & Hove
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
CASE STUDIES
KALLU In common with many of the lower caste
MILITARY CAREER
equipment. The carts were in constant
Indian Troops who were recruited for
In his service time in the First World
use moving rations, forage, baggage,
the First World War it has been difficult
War he served in the 11th Mule Corps
ammunition, coal and other supplies
to discover much about Kallu. We know
Regiment, ranked as a Saddler. His
forward to divisional locations.
he was of the Hindu religion and born in
service number was 738. Saddlers
Behanpur, Bareilly, United Provinces. The
maintained and repaired the carts and
village is now located in Madhya Pradesh – approx. three miles from the border of Uttar Pradesh. Bareilly is in Uttar Pradesh), North East India. Kallu’s father’s name was Chhedu. It is likely that Kallu enlisted in order to earn more so that he could help look after the family. Today the village from which he came only has 36 households and 163 inhabitants. Only 53% are literate and 47% of the population are “scheduled caste” or “untouchables”. Most people are involved in agriculture and in 2012 the village was still awaiting the arrival of electricity and pure drinking water. Mule Carts similar to those used in France in WWI
The muleteers were generally from the lowest caste of Indian society and most were illiterate. There was a language problem too and when they arrived in England, if there was no-one on hand to
Kallu was probably wounded at the battle
report on the Kitchener Indian Hospital
of Neuve Chapelle in France, which took
by Col. Sir Bruce Seton he highlights the
place between 10th -13th March 1915.
fact that of 436 admissions of “followers”
The mule teams were responsible for the
(rather than fighting men), the death rate
translate for them, their details were
across the battle field. He died on 24th
was more than triple that of the fighting
March 1915 in Brighton, probably
men. He stated that in his view the
at the Kitchener Hospital. He was
medical assessment on mobilization of
commemorated at the Chattri memorial,
followers had been unsatisfactory and in
in Patcham, Brighton.
the opinion of the personnel who worked
taken by someone who had little or no knowledge of their language, so beyond name and number, few details were recorded. The Indian Army Mule Companies received drafts that included many different castes.
movement of ammunition and provisions
at the hospital “a considerable proportion POST WAR
were quite unfit for service in the field and
Individual’s hospital records were
ought never to have been engaged.”
destroyed at the end of the war but in the
SHER BAHADUR KHAN Whilst this soldier has no direct link to
Rudyard Kipling visited the Pavilion
Sussex, it is possible he could be the
Hospital on several occasions between
person on whose letter famed writer
1914 and 1915 to meet the Indian
Rudyard Kipling drew for one of his
soldiers who were being treated there
“Eyes of Asia” stories. Kipling had lived
and the story “Fumes of the Heart” is
a couple of miles from Brighton in
supposed to be from a soldier who is
Rottingdean, but by the time of the First
a patient.
World War he was living in Burwash, also in Sussex.
MILITARY CAREER
Khan was a Ressaldar (a middle-ranking The letter was one of those passed
officer in a cavalry regiment of the Indian
to Kipling by Sir Dunlop Smith of the
army). His medal card shows that he was
Censors Office for him to use as the basis
serving in France in January 1915. The
for some stories which it was thought
regiment had arrived in Marseilles from
might encourage “neutrals” to get
Goona (Guna), India, on 15th December
involved in the war. The primary market
1914. The soldier served in the 38th
seems to have been the USA where it was
King George’s Own Central India Horse
first published in six parts in the Saturday
(KGOCIH) as Ressaldar (later Subedar-
Evening Post. Only three stories were
Major when attached to Manchester
published in the UK shortly after they
Regiment from 1922).
were written and they were not published in book form in this country until after Kipling died.
Sher Bahadur Khan – reproduced with permissions from Manchester Regiment Archives, Tameside Local Studies & Archive Centre
Again, we know little about this man other than that he was a professional soldier prior to the First World War and lived in Guna Cantonment in Madhya Pradesh, India, although the 38th Battalion of the KGOCIH to which Sher Bahadur Khan belonged had been stationed in Jubbulpore prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Khan wrote a letter to his relative/ friend dated January 1916 when
Campsart, south of Abbeville, France.
Jubbulpore, Central Province and in 1925
From David Omissi (ed.), Indian Voices
moved again to Burma.
of the Great War: Soldiers’ Letters, 19141918 (Palgrave-Macmillan, 1999)
In 1928/29 they moved to Secunderabad
We must presume that Khan survived
and in 1931 they returned to Burma
the war, as there is no commemorative
for a year before coming back to
record for him via the Commonwealth
Secunderabad until October 1932. The
War Graves Commission website and
regiment was then moved to the Sudan
in 1919 his medals were sent to Guna
for a year, before in 1933 returning to the
Cantt to where his regiment had returned
UK and stationed at Strensall near York,
post war.
although Sher Bahadur Khan would have stayed in India.
Khan continued as a soldier, being
he was billeted with a French woman, explaining how she looked after him in a
transferred with 40 other ranks to the
most sympathetic way. It could refer to
India after the War (1922-1932). Initially
the time when the regiment was at Villers
the Manchesters were in Nagpur, then to
2nd Manchester Regiment serving in
SOWAR SOHAN SINGH Sohan Singh was born in the Punjab
soldier belonging to the cavalry troops
God is the great and everlasting soul of
in India. The word and his surname
of the native armies of British India. His
the universe and it is only a year since all
are derived from the Sanksrit word for
service number was 3745.
these souls were seated amongst their
Lion. It is not known where exactly or
friends and relations and enjoying all the
when he was born. His father was Dilbar
During the fighting in Givenchy, the
delights of life and now the whole of them
Singh of Kotla Mehr Singh Wala village,
Neuve Chappelle sector of France, Sowar
are lying hidden under the ground.’
Ferozepore. He was a Dogra – High Caste
Sohan Singh wrote of the battle to Jodh
soldiers from Kangra, historically part
Singh of Bitaspor, Punjab (a relative or
of Punjab.
Army comrade) in a letter dated 10th
Taken from Pg. 77, Letter 94 David Omissi (ed.), Indian Voices of
of July 1915:’The state of things here is
the Great War: Soldiers’ Letters,
Prior to the war, Singh was in the military
indescribable. There is a conflagration
1914-1918 (Palgrave-Macmillan, 1999)
with the East India Company and the
all round and you must imagine it to be
India Office with the regiment stationed
like a dry forest in high wind in the hot
at Ambala Cantonment in Haryana state
weather with abundance of dry grass and
(northern India).
straw. No one can extinguish it but God himself man can do nothing. What more
MILITARY CAREER
can I write? You must carefully consider
He joined the 9th Hodson’s Horse (later
what I say. Here are thousands of lives
to become the 10th Duke of Cambridge’s
have been sacrificed. Scratch the ground
Own Lancers). His rank was Sowar
to a depth of one finger and nothing
meaning “the one who rides” or a horse-
but corpses will be visible. They say that
Sohan wrote in Urdu which was the most
1920 during operations in Mesopotamia
common Indian dialect spoken in the
(now Iraq), but the precise location is
army of British India Regiments. The letter
unknown. There is a memorial at Basra
was written whilst Singh received medical
with his name on it. Singh remained in
care at one of the three hospitals for
the service of the British Indian Regiment
Indian Soldiers in Brighton in 1915.
until his death.
POST WAR
On leaving France Singh’s regiment was posted to Palestine. They finally returned to Ambala in India on the 1st of January 1921 and created a record for the length of time spent overseas of more than six years. Singh however was not to return to the land of his birth. He died on 7th March
Sohan Singh Grand Trunk Road Amabala, India - Copright Free
BOSTAN Very little has been discovered about
the adventures of an Indian mule corps in
Bostan apart from the fact that he was
France and Gallipoli” with the following
to reach camp at night, and he is the last to be considered where comfort
born a Muslim in the Indian subcontinent.
paragraphs:
is concerned.
MILITARY CAREER
“The slightly contemptuous attitude that
In war he shares to the full the hardships
A Major H.M. Alexander DSO1 wrote an
has hitherto prevailed* is unreasonable,
of the fighting troops and, as the
account of the 9th Mule Corps in which
for, be it in peace or in war, the driver
casualties prove, the dangers too. It
both he and Bostan served, covering the
is deserving of more consideration. In
should be remembered that the drabi is
period from leaving India in September
peace, from the day he joins his unit he is
recruited from exactly the same classes
1914 to arrival in Europe and subsequent
the hardest worked man in the army, and
as the sepoy, the only difference being
transfer to Gallipoli in spring of 1915.
there is but little time to teach him his drill
that men of slightly inferior physique are
or to instruct him in his duties. Whatever
accepted.** They do not look as smart
Bostan became a Driver with the 9th Mule
the weather conditions, his work on the
and well turned out as sepoys, but this is
Corps. His service number was 1154. It
road goes on; when he returns to the
due to an inadequate clothing allowance,
seems that he served in both France and
lines his mules must be groomed and his
and to lack of spare time for drill given the
in Gallipoli in Turkey where he sustained
saddlery cleaned.
same opportunities, a Mule Corps would turn out as smartly as any regiment.
serious wounds. There is no welcome “no parade” bugle The aforementioned Major Alexander
for him. On manoeuvres he is the first
concludes his book “On two fronts; being
man up in the morning and the last
* Born 1881 in England. Died in Winchester in 1942. Transferred to the Indian Army as a Captain on 19th June 1911. He served in France September 1914 as Commander 9th Mule Corps, Indian Army. Attached to ANZACs at Gallipoli April to November 1915 in Command of Mule Transport. ** This is referring to the attitude in India – the muleteers had been treated well both in France and Gallipoli
Let the mule-driver’s reward for his
Bostan died before the withdrawal from
behavior during the Great European
Gallipoli. He died in Brighton on 19th
War be a fuller recognition and more
October 1915. How he ended up in
sympathetic treatment in the army. Let
Brighton is a conundrum as most Indian
Government take the lead by abolishing
casualties were taken from Gallipoli to
once and for all that degrading word
Egypt. He was buried in Brookwood
“follower”, and by giving the transport-
Military Cemetery in a Commonwealth
driver the same standing as the sepoy.”
War Grave.
The men of the Army Service Corps hold
This seems a fitting epitaph for a man
up their heads with the best; let the Indian
who died so far from home and about
transport man be allowed to do the same.
whom we can find out so little. We only
It is his right; for a more hardworking,
know that Bostan served and died and his
uncomplaining, gallant lot of soldiers than
Commissioning Officer understood men
the mule-drivers whom I had the honour
like him, who were often unappreciated
to command in France and Gallipoli are
in their own country.
not to be found in the armies of the British Empire.”
PLAYING CARDS
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVE LABOUR CORPS
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVE LABOUR CORPS After the huge number of deaths on
near Dieppe and had a reputation of
the Western Front in 1915 and 1916,
Although the men were not meant to be deployed in combat zones, there
Britain asked its colony of South Africa
were inevitable deaths when the
operated in the fight against the Germans
for labourers. When the South African
docks or transport lines on which they
in South West Africa since September
Native Labour Corps were recruited,
worked were bombed. Whilst few came
1916, but the Labour Corps for the
the units tended to be organised on the
to the UK itself, the South African Native
Western Front was established and
basis of their homeland tribe or region.
Labour Corps were based in camps
camps set up in 1917.
In part this was to avoid problems from traditional tribal feuds, but it also reflects the fear of the South African government that the different native groups would combine against the existing white rule. About 25,000 South Africans joined the Corps. The SANLC was utilized in various menial non-combat tasks.
King George V inspecting the SouthAfrican Labour Corps at Abbeyvile, 9 June 1919
being hard workers. The SANLC had
SS MENDI The greatest tragedy befalling the men
It has been suggested that there was
government finally declared the wreck of
was the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi
little focus on the tragedy at the time
the SS Mendi to be an official war grave.
during the First World War, when 617
because of its potential to be used in
members of the SANLC were drowned in
German propaganda, and that the
The SANLC was disbanded by the
the English Channel. The SS Mendi was a
lack of attention drawn towards it since
South African government in January
combined cargo and passenger ship built
results from the overridingly Eurocentric
1918. The South African government
in the shipyards of Scotland, when war
and white grand narrative that shapes
issued no war service medal to the black
broke out it was refitted as a troop carrier.
British understanding of the First
servicemen and the special medal issued
In January 1917, the SS Mendi set sailfrom
World War.
by King George V to “native troops”
Cape Town; the 5th Battalion boarded two
that served the Empire, the British War
weeks into the New Year with 802 black
The South African government refused
Medal in bronze, was disallowed and
troops and 22 white officers on board.
to apply for the men to receive a British
not issued to the SANLC. It was also said
War Medal, something supposed to
that any compensation scheme issued
On the 21st February 1917 – the Mendi
have been issued to all ‘native’ troops
to servicemen by the South African
was docked in Plymouth to travel
to serve the Empire. The sinking of
government was said to be unfair.
to France at night (to avoid German
the Mendi
submarines); it also hugged the coast to
remains South
reduce the risk of U-boats. In heavy fog
Africa’s greatest
the ship SS Darro went straight into the
maritime
middle of the Mendi, the Darro was three
disaster. The
times the size of it. It is believed to have
wreck was
sunk within twenty minutes. 646 people died: 616 Southern Africans (607 of them
identified in 1974. In 2009
black troops) and 30 crew.
the British
DROWNING OF SS MENDI TROOPS Although the South African Native Labour
from the SS Mendi’s escorting destroyer
Corps weren’t on the whole situated in
HMS Brisk rowed among the survivors,
the UK during the First World War, due
trying to rescue them.
to the following tragedy, a number of SANLC drowned were washed ashore in
There are many stories of bravery about
Sussex and buried in the area as a result.
the men as the ship went down. The men sang and stamped the death dance
On January 16th, 1917 the Mendi
together as the ship sank, and takingwith
troopship sailing from Cape Town to
her all still on board and many who leapt
La Havre in France carried the last
into the icy waters, a total of 607 black
contingent of the South African Native
troops along with 9 of their fellow white
along the South Coast. Three (all in one
Labour Corps comprising 805 black
countrymen and all 33 crew members.
grave) are buried at Littlehampton in
privates, 5 white officers and 17
West Sussex, a further 9 men in Milton,
non-commissioned officers as well as
On receiving the news [9th March 1917]
Portsmouth (eight black, one white) and
33 crew members.
of the disaster, all members of the South
another one in Hastings, East Sussex.
African House of Assembly under the
Willie was found on the Birling Gap beach
On the morning of 21th February 1917,
then Prime Minister Louis Botha, rose in
and buried at the nearest church at East
another ship, the SS Darro travelling
their seats as a token of respect to their
Dean. Others still lay in the sunken SS
at full speed and emitting no warning
fellow South Africans who had gone down
Mendi. The South African government has
signals, rammed the SS Mendi which sank
with the SS Mendi. In South Africa, the
expressed an interest in having the bodies
in 20 minutes off the Isle of Wight. No
commemoration of the SS Mendi, is held
repatriated but so far Willie rests where
steps were taken by the SS Darro to lower boats to rescue the survivors. She stood
on the third Sunday in February every year.
he was buried in East Dean churchyard. The survivors continued with their military
off and floated nearby while lifeboats
Bodies from the wreck were found all
service in France.
SS MENDI REMEMBERED IN SUSSEX In a tiny hamlet called “Newtimber”
The reason for the location of this plaque
in Sussex, no more than six or seven
is the link between the Earl of Buxton and
us die like brothers. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war-cries, brothers,
dwellings in total, is the “Newtimber
South Africa (he was Governor General of
for though they made us leave our
Church” with a small plaque reading:
South Africa during the First World War,
assegais in the kraal, our voices are left
and his home was Newtimber Place).
with our bodies.”
In Memory of Chief Henry Bokleni Ndamase
An interpreter, Isaac Williams Wauchope,
and the 670 African men from the Eastern Cape
who had previously served as a Minister
who lost their lives
Fort Beaufort and Blinkwater, is reported
when the RMS Mendi sank
to have calmed the panicked men by
in The English Channel
raising his arms aloft and crying out in a
21st February 1917
loud voice:
with gratitude for
“Be quiet and calm, my countrymen.What
the heroic sacrifice they made
is happening now is what you came to
in responding to Britain’s call for help
do...you are going to die, but that is what
in the Congregational Native Church of
you came to do. Brothers, we are drilling Nkosi sikeleli Africa
the death drill. I, a Xhosa, say you are my brothers...Swazis, Pondos, Basotho...so let
The Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyoba Courtesy of Tony McGregor
SOUTH EAST RESEARCH PROJECT
CASE STUDIES
WILLIE ELIJAH TSHABANA Willie came from Pinetown District,
Willie’s body was found on the 21st
where they were found. For the moment,
Natal, in South Africa. He was the son of
February 1917 at Birling Gap beach and
Willie rests where he was buried. The
Ghobogi Tshabana, and his wife, Mtani
buried at the nearest Church (SS Simon
gravestone inscription reads: God took
Hlongilwa. He was married to Sarah
& Jude Churchyard) at East Dean in
him to bloom in his garden.
Tshabana, of Pinetown District, Natal,
East Sussex.
South Africa. POST WAR MILITARY CAREER
In 2012, the South African government
Tshabana joined up in 1917 with the
expressed a wish to repatriate the war
South African Native Labour Corps,
graves of the small number of bodies
C Company, 5/SANLC with the rank of
washed up along the south coast and
Private. His service number was 9555.
buried in the graveyard nearest to
JABEZ NQUZA Jabez Nquza was one of the South Africa
authorities at the time to initially believe
hundred yards from the shore. On the
Native Labor Corps troops who died on
he was white but after doing research on
body, which was much decomposed, was
the S.S Mendi on the 21st of February in
his uniform and service number it was
a serge tunic with Imperial brass buttons,
1917. His rank was Lance Corporal and
uncovered that the man washed ashore
and a pair of trousers. The disc produced
his service number was 9202. He was
was in fact Jabez Nquza bleached by sea
bore the No. 9,202, and the initials
a part of the South African native labor
damage and sun.
S.A.N.L.R., which witness thought meant
corps. Although there hasn’t been much information collected about his life before
South African Native Labour Regiment From an article in the Hastings and St Leonards Observer dated Saturday
or Reserve. The trousers had a thin red
26 May 1917:
uniform was military.
Nquza was onboard the troopship S.S
MAN FOUND IN
John Hart, a fisherman, of Tackleway, said,
Mendi in the English Channel which
MILITARY UNIFORM
accompanied by White and Muggeridge,
setting sail on the Mendi.
stripe down the seam, and he thought the
MILITARY CAREER
sank when another ship rammed it. He
he put off and recovered the body, which
drowned on the 21st February 1917. He
The Borough Coroner (Mr. W. J. Glenister)
was aged around 30 when he died.
held an inquest at East Beach Street
was floating off the end of the Harbour.
last evening (Friday), on the body of an
Police-Sergeant J. W. Brownie assisted in
His body was wash ashore and reported
unknown man, which was recovered from
removing the body to the Mortuary. The
in the Hastings and St Leonard’s observer
the sea the previous morning.
body measured 5 1-8th inches. There
on the 26 May 1917. He had been in
were ten teeth in each jaw. He found the
water for over 6 months and this lead
Leading Boatman Gilbert White said he
disc tied round deceased’s neck with a
to his skin becoming white which lead
saw the body floating eastward about a
piece of string.
There was a stripe on each arm, denoting
A verdict of “Found Dead in the Sea” was
POST WAR
the rank of Lance-Corporal. In a brown
returned, but no evidence to show the
Jabez Nquza was buried at Hastings
leather purse was a small amount of
cause of death.
Cemetery in East Sussex. His story is once again reported in the newspaper in
money and a Kruger coin. Nquza was buried in a military plot with
2015 after the Mayor of Hastings visited
Dr. A. T. Field said he had examined the
other fallen soldiers in Hasting’s cemetery
France on holiday and went to visit the
body, which was very much decomposed,
and the graves upkeep is supported
South African memorial in Delvile Wood,
and had evidently been in the water
through the commonwealth graves
found that Nquza was not recorded they
about six months. The skin remaining was
commission.
contacted the curator of the exhibition
white, and his opinion was the body was that of a white man. It was impossible to give the cause of death. Deceased was over thirty, he should think.
and had Nquza’s name added.
NATAL KAZIMULA Little is known at Kazimula’s life, other
POST WAR
than that he was the son of Madabilane
Natal washed ashore in Holland after
and Blaniki Dumberi, of Haenertsburg
a long time at sea. He is buried in the
Location, Transvaal in South Africa.
Netherlands in Noordwijk General Cemetery.
MILITARY CAREER
Natal Kazimula served with the South African Native Labor Corps 5th Battalion. His service number was 9623. He was one of the hundreds of men died on the S.S Mendi. His grave can be found in the Netherlands. The cemetery and the members of the South Africa community hold remembrance service’s to make sure those who died on the Mendi are not forgotten. He died on 21st Feb 1917 on the day the SS Mendi went down.
TRENCH BROTHERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to the following for helping to bring this project to life:
Other Volunteer Support: Jinhui Wang
Copyright thanks to: David Omissi
Researchers
Bianca Donnelly
East Sussex in WWI
Lizzie Barnard
Imperial War Museums
Nicola Benge
Historians and
Kevin Gordon
Henry Bennett
Professional Support:
Manchester Regiment Archives,Tameside
Beatrice Brown
Davinder Dhillon -
Local Studies & Archive Centre
Helen Carey
The Chattri Memorial Group
Mary Evans Picture Library
Dominic Crawford
Kevin Gordon -
Royal Pavilion & Museums,
Tom Dadswell
Brighton & Hove
Kate Duncan
Trustee at Seaford Museum Dr Chris Kempshall – East Sussex in WWI
Alex Epps
Dr Sam Carroll – Gateways to
Mary Funnell
the First World War
Dulani Kulasinghe
The Keep archive
Sasha Montagu Pollock
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Joe Owen Paula Pocock Eleanor Stebbing Dan Townsend Eleanor Woolfe
Seaford Museum