Today (June 22) marks 75 years since hundreds of Caribbeans disembarked the Empire Windrush ship in Tilbury Docks in Essex.
HMT Empire Windrush docked in Britain on June 22, 1948, and marked the beginning of a wave of immigration that helped repair post-war Britain.
That generation and their contribution to the UK will be celebrated across the country.
What is the Windrush generation?
It started with around 500 Caribbeans paying about £28 (£1,040 in today’s money) to travel to Britain in response to job adverts in local newspapers.
Having gained a type of citizenship under the British Nationality Act of 1948, they left a sunnier climate to seek greater opportunities in the UK, which was facing a labour shortage after the Second World War.
They exited the vessel on June 22, 1948, having arrived the day before. The thousands who followed from colonies in the West Indies until 1971 became known as the Windrush generation.
Who was on the ship?
Jamaicans, Bermudans, and Trinidadians were among those on board.
Some had fought for Britain during the war and many would go on to fill roles in the UK — including as cooks, nurses, engineers, carpenters, and mechanics.
One passenger was Sam “Mr Windrush” King, who became the first black mayor of Southwark in London and co-founded the Notting Hill Carnival.
Another was Lord Woodbine, a calypso musician whose real name was Harold Philips. He would be described as the “sixth Beatle” for his mentorship of the band during their fledgling years.
What about those who followed?
Many who pursued the pioneering group on the Windrush went on to be key workers staffing the NHS, which also began its journey in 1948.
The generation came to a close with the 1971 Immigration Act, legislation guaranteeing the right of those already settled in the UK to remain indefinitely.
After that, a British passport-holder born overseas could only reside in the UK if they had a work permit and could also prove they had a parent or grandparent born in the UK.
What was the ‘Windrush scandal’?
In 2018, it emerged that some from the Windrush generation were facing deportation and being denied access to healthcare, work, housing benefits, and pensions.
They had the legal right to reside in the UK, but could not necessarily prove they had been in the country near-continuously, as new laws demand.
Many believed they had an automatic right to citizenship so had not got the paperwork.
Some had arrived as children on a parent’s passport and officials admitted thousands of landing card slips recording their entry had been destroyed, eliminating vital evidence.
How did the Government respond?
Then prime minister, Theresa May said she was “genuinely sorry” for the anxiety caused.
Amber Rudd was forced out as home secretary and replaced by Sajid Javid, who vowed to ensure those caught up would be treated with “decency and fairness” and signalled a softer approach to immigration policy.
The Government went on to announce an annual Windrush Day to “recognise and honour the enormous contribution” of those who disembarked at Tilbury 70 years earlier.
How will the 75th anniversary be celebrated?
A group known as the Windrush 75 network has committed to making it an entire year of marking the anniversary.
They say: “The 75th anniversary of the Windrush arriving in the UK is a Diamond Jubilee for modern, diverse Britain – when we mark an important moment in British history and come together to celebrate four generations of contribution, legacy, struggle, and positive change.”
A host of events are being planned, including question and answer sessions with people and their families who came over, art installations, and dance events. The full list of events can be found here.
What events are taking place in London?
A photograph exhibition entitled Journeys to Hope started in January and finishes in September at Rivington Place near Farringdon. The outside exhibition can be seen at any time and is free, showing the journeys from an array of historic snapshots in time.
Lenny Henry is also putting on a one-man show in his playwriting debut at the Bush Theatre near Kensington. Entitled August in England, it tells the story of a Windrush worker. The play finishes on June 10, and there are still some limited tickets available here.
Trevor Nelson will also host a night of music at the Royal Albert Hall this Friday (June 9), at the Royal Albert Hall Presents Windrush 75 event.
This one-off concert will feature an array of guest stars, including Craig David, Beverley Knight, R&B group Loose Ends, saxophonist YolanDa Brown, and more. Tickets and hospitality packages are available from here and cost between £30 and £90, depending on which seats you pick.
