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PRIDE AND BELONGING THE WINDRUSH GENERATION 75
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YEARS LATER.
www.london.ac.uk
ON 21 JUNE 1948, A SHIP CALLED HMT EMPIRE WINDRUSH DOCKED AT TILBURY IN ESSEX, UK
Arriving from Jamaica carrying 1,027 passengers, 802 of whom were British subjects, including men, women and children, who gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the British Caribbean, travelled to the United Kingdom hoping to start a new life.
Windrush garnered much attention upon its arrival and has since become symbolic for many of the Caribbean communities who, alongside numerous Commonwealth citizens, arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1973. They played a pivotal role in rebuilding the UK after the Second World War, as well as shaping modern British culture and society.
Marking the date of disembarkation, Windrush Day takes place on 22 June each year. This year the Royal Mint unveiled a commemorative UK 50p coin. “My parents were among the generation of people invited to leave their home in the Caribbean to come and work in Britain. I joined them at the age of five.”
The coin depicts a man and woman of the Windrush generation, smartly dressed, as many who arrived on the ship were, standing against a backdrop of the Union flag honouring 75 year later the Windrush generation.
“I am very happy to have my design selected for this coin, which honours our parents and their legacy; and which celebrates our presence, achievements, and contributions that continue to enrich our society.” — Valda Jackson
