Its often asked:
Were there any black soldiers in ww1? and although WW1 is often portrayed as a solely European War, fought exclusively by Europeans. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Despite this, the mainstream media makes little effort to acknowledge the contributions of Non-Europeans in WW1.  There were lots of Black and Asian soldiers in WW1.
How Black Soldiers Became Involved in WW1
Before to WW1 began, Britain & France had colonies in the Caribbean, Africa & Asia, as well as many other places around the world. Â Germany also had colonies in Africa. Â Turkey was involved in WW1 and the Turkish troops contained an African and a Muslim contingent.
How many Black British Soldiers were there in WW1?
It’s hard to quantify exactly how many Black British Soldiers were serving in The British Army in WW1 because it depends on how you classify British. Soldiers from the British Colonies such as the Caribbean and parts of Africa were under British Command.
The British Caribbean Soldiers
After centuries of slavery people in the British Caribbean were relishing their freedom. Though many took pride in their loyalty to the œMother Country.
When WW1 began. West Indians donated large sums of money to aid the war effort. Â Caribbeans also volunteered to fight for Britain, joining The British West India Regiment.
There were nine contingents of West Indian soldiers to arrive in Britain in the autumn of 1915. By the end of the war, more than 15,000 men from the West Indies had seen active service.
The British West Indies Regiment was formally established in November 1915 and 11 battalions served in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In September 1916 the 3rd and 4th Battalions were ordered to France from Egypt to act as labour units, carrying ammunition and building roads and gun emplacements.
The BWIR and had experienced military service in England, Italy, Egypt, India, France, Belgium, Palestine, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and East Africa suffering 1,325 casualties including 185 killed in action.
African Soldiers In The French Army
Like Britain, France was a major colonial power. France gathered troops from all over œFrancophone Africa, (French colonies in Africa).  France also had Colonies in South-East Asia. Some of the most decorated African soldiers serving in the French Army were the Tirailleurs Senegalais.
The German troops nicknamed the Tirailleurs Senegalais ‘Black devils’. Â they earned this nickname when fighting like demons, they had forced the Kaiser’s elite troops to retreat before them.
An African French soldier (Troupes de Marine), most likely Senegalese, is singled out to have his photograph taken with a Uhlan NCO and military official. Many of the Senegalese and other colonial troops were in the Troupes de Marine and were reported to have fought with incredible valour and great sacrifice.
African American Troops in WW1
America was a racially segregated society yet African Americans still served in the U.S armed forces.
When the United States declared war against Germany in April 1917, The U.S War Department realised that they desperately needed more men to ensure victory. The decision was made to allow African Americans to sign up. In some states, African Americans were forced to sign up and even fraudulently arrested as draft dodgers.
By the end of World War I, African Americans served in Cavalry, Infantry, Signal, medical, engineer, and artillery units, as well as serving as Chaplains, surveyors, truck drivers, chemists, and intelligence officers.
African Americans also served in French units
The 369th Infantry – œTHE HARLEM HELL FIGHTERS,  became one of the most decorated units in WW1 W. Their unit was under the command of the French Military. Eugene Bullard was a highly decorated African-American Pilot in the French Flying corps. He was one of only two black combat pilots in the first world war.
Black Soldiers in The British Army in WW1
Although little is known of Black Britons in the British army. We do have some evidence to show that Black Britons served in WW1 in the Army and Navy.
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Walter Tull, (Above) is the most celebrated black British soldier who achieved the rank of Lieutenant.
These photos show several black and mixed-race soldiers serving in the British Army in WW1.
Stephen Bourne’s book – ‘Black Poppies‘ provides valuable insight into the lives of black soldiers in the British forces.
A detailed look at the life of Arthur Roberts a Black Brit who served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, during WW1, can be found in the book, ‘As Good As Any Man‘,
Asian Troops in WW1
As well as Africans and Caribbean soldiers, there were also Asian soldiers fighting in WW1. India sent over 1 million men to aid the war effort. At that time, India included Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. Soldiers were from many ethnic backgrounds such as Pathans, Sikhs, Muslims & Hindus all served. The photo here shows Gurkhas from Nepal.
Africans in The German Army in WW1
Little is known about how many of Germany™s Pre WW1 war black population served in the armed forces. Some Afro-German men did serve in WW1.
Remember that WW1 was not just fought in Europe. There were theatres of war in Africa and Asia, as well as at Sea.
In East Africa, The Germans used Askari troops called “Schutztruppe“. They fought bravely and were never defeated even after Armistice.
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