14 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, August 13, 2021
history
Bahamian Soldiers in World War I In a recent conversation, several young Bahamians expressed surprise upon hearing that Bahamians had joined the British army and served on the battlefront in Europe and elsewhere during World War I. So here is a report from the Anglican chaplain who sailed with them from Nassau in 1917: “We arrived at Jamaica safely, FORGOTTEN FACTS after a moderately quick— though into shape rather rough — trip, with everyin France. one in first-class trim, except the Even here, I Chaplain, who had spent most of am told, they SOLDIERS of the British his time lounging over the side of have changed West Indies Regiment the boat, ‘occupying his business in during the on the Albert to Amiens the great waters’! last week or Road, September 1916. I was fortunate enough to secure so, since a (Image courtesy Imperial the hospitality of Colonel Butcher, small number War Museum) RGA, who commands the ‘Reguof wounded lars’ at Port Royal, and am now British officstaying with him and eating with ers came here, for instructional the Royal Garrison Artillery and purposes. the Royal Engineers. Comparing our Bahamian boys Jamaica has pledged to send two with the little I have seen of the battalions and Barbados one to the rest of the British West Indian felBritish West Indies. lows here, our Bahamian lads have The term ‘labour contingent’, something, in spite of their faults.” is never used ‘officially’; though it really means that certain battalions of the British West Indies are used 9TH BRITISH WEST INDIES for labour purposes—under shell REGIMENT IN FRANCE: fire, however, the entire time. We sail for France in a day or “We have had most disgusting so. The British West Indian boys weather lately, rain and mud, the here are an awfully inferior crowd. entire time, with the occasional There was a serious riot here two excitement of a German plane days ago, and the officers do not thrown in. make matters better with their It is rather exciting, at first, to lie liberal use of ‘hunting crops’ and down with a steel helmet and a gas ‘sticks’, to enforce obedience. mask by one’s side, but it is worryPlease God, none of our lads shall ing after a time, as one has to sleep have such treatment while I am with, as it were, one eye open. We their Chaplain. have had very few casualties so Our Why can’t we send and keep a far, though one or two deaths from boys have all done very well, and ‘Bahamian’s Battalion’, or at least pneumonia— no Bahamians, I am their officers speak very highly a ‘company’ with our own officers, thankful to say. instead of having to turn over our The boys do not take very kindly of them. One of my pleasant lads to the Jamaican officers— a to the climate, which rather worries moments is refereeing a football very mixed lot.? them. They do not understand that match but, all in all. this war is a The British West Indian officit is not so settled as it is at home in terrible calamity and one feels the villainy of it every day.” ers will though, I expect, be licked Nassau.
PAUL C ARANHA
ABOVE: A BWI Regiment badge.
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