Robert N. Murray

The West Indian Contribution during World War II is an overlooked chapter in the history of the Allied war effort. Little or nothing is known about the heroics, sacrifices and the harsh treatment endured by men and women from the Caribbean who were serving what was then 'the Mother Country'.

Lest We Forget tells their story through oral recollection, and highlights their contribution to that conflict and the subsequent settlement of a substanitial number in the United Kingdom, a settlement which, at that time, constituted the largest migration of Caribbean people ever seen in Britain.

Predominantly serving in the Royal Air Force, Lest We Forget tells of the success from groundcrew to pilot, and their many decorations and distinctions, particularly for gallantry and tenacity over Germany.

It tells of the problems encountered - culture, climate and racial predjudice - and how they were shunned after the war and were denied jobs and accomodation.

The survivors, many of whom are active members of the Nottingham West Indian Combined Ex-Services Association, tell their story in the hope that future generations, particularly young people of African-Caribbean origin are aware of the contributions made by their forebears.

Paperback
190 pages
Hansib Publishing
ISBN: 1870518527