the empire windrush

​Did you know that the Empire Windrush’s first port of call in the Caribbean was actually here in Trinidad and Tobago!
On May 20th 1948, the Empire Windrush arrived in Trinidad and Tobago after leaving the United Kingdom with over 300 servicemen and their families who were in transit to Barbados, Jamaica, and British Guiana. Later that same day, the Empire Windrush departed Port of Spain, taking 177 persons from Trinidad and Tobago onwards to Jamaica, Mexico, Cuba, Bermuda, and then finally to Tilbury Docks in London.
This began what we know today as the mass migration of post-war Caribbean settlers to the United Kingdom, known as the Windrush Generation. Many Trinbagonians were part of this generation, and they made significant contributions to the music, culture, society, and politics of the United Kingdom.
Some Trinbagonians pictured here who were part of the Windrush generation are:
Samuel Selvon, author.
Harold Phillips, also known as Lord Woodbine, known for his influence on The Beatles.
V.S. Naipaul, author.
Baroness Floella Benjamin, actress, author and politician.
The photo of author Sam Selvon is courtesy of the book, “Insight Guides to Trinidad & Tobago” published by Insight Guides, London.
The photo of author V.S. Naipaul is courtesy of the book, “Letters Between A Father And Son” by V.S. Naipaul. These books are part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Reference Collection.
The photo of Baroness Floella Benjamin is courtesy of the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Jan 8th 2023. This newspaper is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Newspaper Collection.
The photo of Lord Woodbine is courtesy of the Liverpool Echo. Carol, et al. “Windrush War Hero Who Smuggled George Harrison into Hamburg.” Liverpool Echo, 30 Dec. 2019, http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/.../windrush-war-hero-who....
The photo of the Empire Windrush is courtesy of the Windrush Foundation. “About Us.” Windrush Foundation, 23 Dec. 2020, windrushfoundation.com/about-us/.
References: Lloyd’s Shipping Index: Voyage Supplement April - June 1948. This is courtesy of Caird Library & Archive, United Kingdom.
The Shipping Reporter. “Over 100 Sail to U.K.” The Port of Spain Gazette, 21 May 1948. This newspaper is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Newspaper Collection. (Source: National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago, July 9, 2023)