Forgotten Facts

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, after a moderately quick— though rather rough — trip, with everyone in first-class trim, except the Chaplain, who had spent most of his time lounging over the side of the boat, ‘occupying his business in the great waters’!

I was fortunate enough to secure the hospitality of Colonel Butcher, RGA, who commands the ‘Regulars’ at Port Royal, and am now staying with him and eating with the Royal Garrison Artillery and the Royal Engineers.

Jamaica has pledged to send two battalions and Barbados one to the British West Indies.

The term ‘labour contingent’, is never used ‘officially’; though it really means that certain battalions of the British West Indies are used for labour purposes—under shell fire, however, the entire time.

We sail for France in a day or so. The British West Indian boys here are an awfully inferior crowd. There was a serious riot here two days ago, and the officers do not make matters better with their liberal use of ‘hunting crops’ and ‘sticks’, to enforce obedience. Please God, none of our lads shall have such treatment while I am their Chaplain.

Why can’t we send and keep a ‘Bahamian’s Battalion’, or at least a ‘company’ with our own officers, instead of having to turn over our lads to the Jamaican officers— a very mixed lot.?

The British West Indian officers will though, I expect, be licked into shape in France. Even here, I am told, they have changed during the last week or so, since a small number of wounded British officers came here, for instructional purposes.

Comparing our Bahamian boys with the little I have seen of the rest of the British West Indian fellows here, our Bahamian lads have something, in spite of their faults.”

9TH BRITISH WEST INDIES REGIMENT IN FRANCE:

“We have had most disgusting weather lately, rain and mud, the entire time, with the occasional excitement of a German plane thrown in.

It is rather exciting, at first, to lie down with a steel helmet and a gas mask by one’s side, but it is worrying after a time, as one has to sleep with, as it were, one eye open. We have had very few casualties so far, though one or two deaths from pneumonia— no Bahamians, I am thankful to say.

The boys do not take very kindly to the climate, which rather worries them. They do not understand that it is not so settled as it is at home in Nassau.

Our boys have all done very well, and their officers speak very highly of them. One of my pleasant moments is refereeing a football match but, all in all. this war is a terrible calamity and one feels the villainy of it every day.”

PAUL C ARANHA FORGOTTEN FACTS SOLDIERS of the British West Indies Regiment on the Albert to Amiens Road, September 1916. (Image courtesy Imperial War Museum)

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ABOVE: A BWI Regiment badge.