Caribbean Women in WW2
Caribbean Women in WW2 Britain
There were plenty Caribbean Women serving in WW2. When we think of the British Armed Forces, there is often a tendency to think exclusively of men. In the past, this has been largely due to the majority of the Armed forces being made up almost entirely of men.
However, WW2 saw plenty of Women sign up to the British Armed Forces. The exact numbers of Caribbean women serving in the BritishArmed forces can be difficult to pin down to an exact number. However, Richard Smith, writing in the Oxford Companion to Black British History.
About 600 West Indian Women were recruited for the Auxiliary Territorial Service, arriving in Britain in the Autumn of 1943. The enlistment of these volunteers was accomplished despite official misgivings and obstruction.
Around 80 Caribbean women joined the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) and 30 joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service.(ATS)
Lilian Bader
Liverpool-born Lilian Bader is one of three generations of her Family who served in the British Armed Forces. Her Father had been a Merchant Seaman in the First World War. She and her brothers were separated after they were orphaned. Stephen Bourne recounts in his book ‘The Motherland Calls’ that Lillian was popular in school but found it difficult to secure full-time work. After securing a job in the NAAFI at Catterick camp, she was ‘let go’ due to a colour bar that existed in the British Services at the start of the war. Not deterred by the initial knock back, Lillian determined to join the RAF after hearing a group of West Indian soldiers on the Radio say how they had been rejected from the Army, but they had better luck with the RAF.
In March 1940, Lillian was accepted into the WAAF, but found herself the only “coloured” person. Despite the obvious differences, Lillian worked hard and soon became an ‘acting corporal’. Whilst in the Services, she met her future husband, Ramsay Bader, who was of mixed race, having a White English mother and a Sierra Leonean father.
Constance Goodridge Mark (Connie Mark)
Constance Goodridge Mark, nee McDonald, was another example of displayed loyalty typical of Caribbean women in WW2, wanting to serve Britain in its hour of need.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica. She joined the British Army in 1943, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, The Women’s Royal Army Corps working She later became the Senior Medical Secretary in the Royal Army Medical Corps, where she served for 10 years, working in the North Caribbean.
Many years later, she took part in the “Their Past your Future” Campaign run by the Imperial War Museum.
Connie had felt that the contribution of ‘West Indians’ in WW2 was being ignored. She decided to do something to try to educate people about the contributions of Black people in the Second World War. Recounting a story about an Age Concern Meeting, she had taken some photographs of West Indian ex-servicewomen.
After that, she applied to the Greater London Arts for a Grant. She searched for photographs in the Imperial War Museum and obtained others from West Indian Ex-Servicemen and Women. She put together an exhibition for the 5oth Anniversary of the end of WW2.
Listen to a clip of Constance talk
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West Indian A.T.S. Girls Abused
Whilst the vast majority of reported stories have a lot of positivity, there were, of course, negative reports to be found. In an Article Called ‘These Coloured “Intruders” ‘, The weekly magazine ‘John Bull’ reported some of the racism that Caribbean service personnel had to endure whilst billeted in Britain.
A West Indian girl in the A.T.S. was refused a new issue of shoes by her officer, who added:’At home you don’t wear shoes anyway.’ An Army Officer to a West Indian A.T.S.: ‘If I can’t get white women, i’ll something well do without.’
Related Links
- Caribbean Participants in WW2 – Memorial Gates Trust
- Caribbean Aircrew in the RAF WW2 – A record of West Indian volunteers who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War
- Black and Minority Ethnic women and the Sea in WW2 – Women’s History Network Blog
- West Indians in Britain during the Second World War – CASBAH
Recommended Reading
i think that there should be and there is because i am proud they let caribbian woman ww2 but why not other woman?
It is very interesting to hear that there was a Black presence within both ww1 and 2. However, considering the war was fought for imperialistic gains and empire buildings, I don’t feel that the black presence within the war is nothing to be proud of. During this period, most of Africa was still colonised by western capitalist powers and the wars were fought over country distribution and economic domination. I think we should remember that during ww1 a lot of black Africans were forced to fight against their will also, in a war which led to the destruction of their countries.
Many countries were built on the FORCED labour of black slaves…….That does not mean that we should not be recognised for our contribution to the building of that country as it was built from our sweat, blood and tears. Whether the black presence in the two world wars was voluntary or not, the fact is we need to be recognised for our positive contributions. Unfortunately however in history books our contribution is rarely mentioned. During celebrations of ‘remembrance’ we still remain invisible and our contributions made to be seen as insignificant by those in power. This should not be be case.
Not me replying this 10 years later 💀💀
But anyways, while it is crucial to remember that Blacks were forced let’s not forget that many West Indians served willingly simply because they were lied to about how great England (which they call the Mother Country) would treat them and valued them. Oh the shock when they arrived
For better insight, I recommend Small Island by Andrea Levy- it really is enlightening about the Caribbean experiences within the RAF, almost like the American dream then realizing oop, they want me dead because I’m black when I’m here fighting for our empire (or so they thought lol ask a Brit where Jamaica is even today, will they know?). So, no many weren’t really forced. More like duped.
If the Nazi’s had won they would have immediately instituted slavery. Not just a whiteman’s war.
This was a very interesting read that coincides with my visit to the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton. There I learned during slavery, a lot of black people joined the army in order to win their freedom. It’s very interesting to know that decades after slavery was pronounced illegal, not just black people, but black women especially were joining the British army. I wonder what urged these women to join the ranks even though they faced a lot of bigotry and discrimination in joining the war?
If the narrative that colonialism was some kind of living racist hell these women would not have volunteered for Britain’s war effort. You cant have it both ways.
Well, it depends on who is narrating. The average West Indian in the pre-and even post-war era, There was a lot of pride and connection to Britain. some people will have suffered under the system, others will have worked within it.
Did you not read that they were recruited? Even if they were not and volunteered that does not in any way imply that colonialism was not racist. It’s not that we can’t have it both ways. Rather, it is perhaps you are incapable of genuinely acknowledging that both can exist at the same time.
They should make a film about these women. I can only feel a great respect for these women. Also anger for how some were disrespected.
Do you have any information about the number of Caribbean women who were land girls, I’m doing an art piece and would like it to accurately represent all who were involved!
Can we get the names and birth info of the women in this picture?one of the faces look like a family member.
I think the only way to do that would be to go along to the Imperial War Museum. I’m afraid I don’t have that information. Alternatively the Black Cultural Archives, or Contact Stephen Bourne, he may know.