Windrush: Caribbean passengers celebrated after 75 years in UK

Three quarters of a century ago, after docking at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush, hundreds of the passengers on board who'd sailed from Caribbean countries were directed to this neighbourhood.
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Those men and women alongside all the others on the ship had answered a call from the UK government to come and help rebuild the country after the war.
Their immense contribution was celebrated today up and down the country. "We are forever grateful" to them, said the Prince of Wales earlier.
But the Windrush generation also endured hardship and discrimination over the following decades. Only five years ago - in one of the biggest institutional scandals of modern times - it became clear that the government had illegally deported and denied healthcare and pensions to many after failing to keep proper immigration records.

[@johno4521]

Myths and lies so often repeated that they have become the truth. Channel 4, BBC, and even King Charles.

[@elkpaz560]

The monarchy hasn't really been in favour of anything other than their own survival.

[@loco68]

No one twisted their arms up their backs , bus companies and NHS advertised jobs available here, they didn’t build this country. Get them facts right.

[@johno4521]

And that was a decade later and nothing to do with the Government.

[@elkpaz560]

Fancy leaving your country in the developing world to help an advanced industrial society - weird priorities.

[@elkpaz560]

No-one had to put up with anything. There were ships going back. They were high and noble for getting on a ship to Britain but couldn't return?

[@belkentens]

How on earth did this country ever manage for millennia before the widrush saviours arrived

[@guff9567]

Nice hack job racist. Proud?

[@pduffy421]

Managed much better with far less violent crime.

[@veda1306]

Your country would of been Germany had they not saved you lot in the war.😅

[@belkentens]

@@veda1306 🤣absolutely clueless

[@Alan-gx8gf]

@@veda1306 🤣🤣🤣

[@mrsuperger5429]

Ha-ha-ha ! This is hilarious nonsense. 🤣🤣🤣Neither the British Govt or British people invited the MV Windrush to dock at Tilbury to rebuild Britain. The passengers were uninvited economic migrants.

[@Lando-kx6so]

That later on led to Britain recruiting people to go over & so what if they weren't invited? They moved from part of the empire to the other just like many many Brits did with migrating to Australia & Canada despite illegally occupying those lands and killing off the natives

[@deeznutz8320]

Who owned the liner? A Jewish man😂

[@BlessedLPT.]

Hello racist and ignorant commentator The evil and racism that dwells in your heart that you sow will come back to you ten fold! It will never be well with you!

[@johno4521]

@@deeznutz8320 By 1948 The Windrush was the property of The British Ministry Of Transport , ownership having been transferred to The UK as a prize of war and assigned as a troop carrier.

[@BigKelvPark]

It is well documented that they were economic migrants.

[@vincentblack7467]

Windrush were never he to fix London and they never did, the captain had a empty ship so to make some money he sold cheap tickets, the government never asked them to come, and the people of this island never asked them as well.

[@BlessedLPT.]

Neither did anyone ask for British colonialism, but hey - they say karma…

[@jjyoutube82]

Windrush was the worst thing to ever happen to this country. 😢

[@RS-xx9ve]

Windrush? It should be called BOGFLUSH. Because thats what the 3rd world did with them coming here.

[@Lando-kx6so]

no, choosing to conquer, murder, rape, & enslave billions across the world for profit was.

[@BlessedLPT.]

More racist and ignorant comments. Imagine how all those colonised by the British must have felt having colonisation forced on them… But hey, you’re threatened by a bit of multiculturalism Any racist person- it will not be well with you! The evil in your heart that you sow to others will come back to you ten fold.

[@elkpaz560]

A few people travelling to Britain was not a bad thing in itself, it was the uses that were made of it that produces the problems.

[@jjyoutube82]

@@elkpaz560 and the crappy cultures they brought with them

[@JurassicRod]

The UK had already rebuilt in the years since the end of the war by the time these folks arrived. The more people pour into the country, the more our services and infrastructure are crippled by the weight of it all and we then need more workers to serve them. The media are then able to say we need more immigrants as workers even though it's them over populating the land which causes the problem in the first place. But it's all about more money for the rich. More consumers and cheap workers. No matter the damage to our culture and society. Crime would be at least halved if we didn't import such savage crime in.

[@Lando-kx6so]

no it didn't & did you know that the vast majority of your crime is committed by white British people

[@BlessedLPT.]

75 years that they came in June 75 years that the NHS commenced in July! You do the maths! You’re worried about your resources being crippled. Do you know how much migration is building up your economy, and how much they have contributed to the NHS and to average jobs that many nationals would never do. Have some respect! And as for resources, how many economies were crippled at the hand of British colonialism! Have you ever had your official language changed to reflect that of your coloniser? Talk about ‘damage to culture’. And crime, how is coming into another persons country and taking their animal, their precious metals, artwork not stealing. You reap what you sow! It amazes me how racist and ignorant people in this country have the audacity to point fingers at everyone else but themselves. May it never be well with you

[@davidz3879]

The UK had plenty of people at the time - so many that emigration to Australia was strongly encouraged.

[@guff9567]

Why didn't you join them? I hear they were all transported criminals

[@Lando-kx6so]

Not enough willing to fill in job vacancies. Australia wanted people to go over because they were heavily underpopulated & Britain couldn't stop people from leaving

[@idratherbeaphilthanajustin9533]

​@@Lando-kx6soThe British government negotiated with Australia over the plans for the ten pound pom migration scheme.

[@cdean2789]

Rubbish

[@guff9567]

@@Lando-kx6so Wrong. They were all transported criminals

[@Anita-gp1gv]

This is shocking the way so many of good honest upright people have been used. “Come on over and help us to rebuild the Country’s infrastructure, “ and nurse the sick with our recent NHS . They left their children and came until they could work hard and reunite with them. My own grandchild’s grandparents did just that. He built the Country up with his own bare hands,whilst his gran thanklessly nursed the sick, suffering with T.B etc,. From these people we have prime footballers, Rugby players, Olympians and runners like Mo Farrer - poor young Mo. And this is how we reward and thank these good upright people !

[@davidz3879]

The Caribbean passengers onboard the Windrush weren't invited by the UK. They chose to buy tickets. The UK gov were unaware that they were onboard & were unpleasantly surprised to see them arrive.

[@guff9567]

Your government invited them for the sole purpose of replacing you

[@titteryenot4524]

Nobody in Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, North/South America, Indonesia etc “invited” the Europeans when they colonised them.

[@jamescharnock4579]

@@titteryenot4524 And made there lives a lot better than they would have been.

[@pduffy421]

@@titteryenot4524 New Zealand and the USA were originally lived in by white people before the fake "natives". So was China where there are pyramids like the ones in Egypt and all were associated with European people long before the darker skinned people showed up. Also there were a great many benefits to what the Europeans did if you have a problem then complain to the Rothschilds.

[@jjyoutube82]

One of the worst failures of our ancestors 😢

[@harryworth8157]

We were doing them a favour because they had a lot of unemployment in Jamaica, We didn't need them, and the worse thing that happened was them coming here

[@rossrick9745]

Not all of them come from Jamaica what about the Bajans, Trindadians, Grenadians, Antigians,...

[@harryworth8157]

@@rossrick9745 It was just a example

[@aestheticsbyjasmine940]

So why was it a bad thing?

[@harryworth8157]

@@aestheticsbyjasmine940 You must be living in a parallel universe to ask that question?

[@goldenoatie]

@@aestheticsbyjasmine940 easier to ask why it was a good thing.

[@arkstudios1]

I have no issues with people at that time wanting to come to the UK but you need to get your facts correct, the 'Windrush' ship offered cheap tickets to the UK and promoted the sale of them to the Caribbean. The people saw an opportunity for work and came over. This was frowned upon by the government as they DID NOT welcome them.

[@Lando-kx6so]

This is true

[@cdean2789]

Rubbish. We had a massive campaign to get them over to rebuild Britain

[@colonelturmeric558]

The lie is comfortable to people though, like the lie that windrush put the great in great britain. What utter rubbish. Why did we need workers when we were sending men to Australia for £10. Women had entered the workforce permanently, jobs were not in mass supply. Such lies fit the plans of phillip hammond who admitted that immigration is to keep working class wages down and house prices up. Ta da, go woke go broke

[@CaptainDarling2020]

The Government didn’t even know they were coming, let alone where to house them!

[@iborgiwc7899]

So.. more illegals then? So Liz Truss was right to start deporting them! But then forced to appologise why?

[@littleowlbooks8514]

The idea that this particular group made a contribution greater than others is misguided. They were cheap unskilled labour. They weren't particularly hard working. Hardly any started businesses or made innovations. Some music is ok but Carribbean food is ordinary.

[@GloryOfBarbelo]

ive never met a single black builder or road worker in my entire life. ive been around them my entire life, not one is black. not one.

[@DavidSmith-fs5qj]

It is remarkable how this myth has taken hold and is presented as fact, they came for themselves, they didn’t answer the call because there wasn’t any call.

[@Lando-kx6so]

my god you aren't that smart aren't you

[@aestheticsbyjasmine940]

​@clinicallyinsaneguy well you've never been to Liverpool dummy there's loads of black brickies etc

[@BlessedLPT.]

Many were trained as Nurses and helped establish the NHS. If not for inequalities, many would have been senior staff and managers by now. You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You don’t have anything nice to say because you have evil heart founded in racism. To all racists - it will never be well with you. The same evil you give to other will come back to you and unto your generations

[@briantaylor8366]

knife crime soared fatherless familis soard.

[@patrickquine3945]

Crime today is half what it was when you were a kid, nazi.

[@BlessedLPT.]

Dear racist and ignorant commentator - the same hate and evil you speak of others out of a racist heart will come back to you. How could people who came over here to do well, thrive in a country where racist like you did not welcome them. The racism and injustices led to things like crime… But you wouldn’t acknowledge the part your people played in that…

[@davidz3879]

0:00 Answer: more peaceful & less crowded.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Can we celebrate by sending them back?

[@BlessedLPT.]

Yes you can - send all the people who don’t look like you back and watch your already struggling economy and NHS fall to the ground 😊 You are a racist and a coward who would not say this outwardly. Remember that your racism and evil that you sow to others will be reaped into your life ten fold and even unto your generations. It will not be well with you

[@apathyintheuk265]

Myth making and romanticising. There was no 'call' that was 'answered'. These people came here to better themselves and build a new life - Absolutely nothing wrong with that and I love a success story borne of humble beginnings but the insinuation that a few caribbeans helped build Britain back up after the war years is borderline parody! A real life case of Chinese whispers, whereby the tale grows, gets altered, takes another turn and a few decades later you have a brand new narrative. And please, don't get me started on Mary Seacole!

[@idratherbeaphilthanajustin9533]

All whist the indigenous British and Irish construction workers did nothing no doubt.

[@skyepalmer5719]

Where can I read these facts you state? I'm really interested to learn more about the twisted reality of Windrush

[@johno4521]

Even the Windrush Foundation concedes the fact that they came here of their own accord....

[@idratherbeaphilthanajustin9533]

If there were approximately 30,000 merchant seamen deaths during WW2 and West Indians played a large part, you would expect more than Caribbean 236 deaths in fairness. I smell a rat in this comment.

[@BlessedLPT.]

It’s typical that racist and ignorant people never feel comfortable to acknowledge when others help them or do good! 75 years of the wind rush 75 years of the NHS All this year No coincidence

[@thomasreed49]

Never in the history of the world has there beenA race praised so much for what they haven’t done

[@machy2241]

What’s that meant to mean

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

Wind rush means fart

[@SpookyFox1000]

Nobody wanted them and now we know why !

[@AnthonyD-yy2in]

I just think that these Jamaicans would have been better off going to America because it's closer to their Island, and easier to travel back and fourth.

[@elkpaz560]

Jamaicans in the USA are one of the most successful migrant groups. And during the second world war more Caribbean men joined the forces of North America than Britain.

[@stephenjon3502]

Maybe, but they were citizens of the UK so a no brainier to stay here and wind up the bigots.

[@paulhawthorne2960]

Fake History 😂

[@FistABitch248]

A narrative to fit the current political ideology

[@angusmacdonald4860]

What a joke

[@spudspuddy]

celebrating but claiming money....sounds about right, disaster for Britain

[@ldn1929]

When are we going to celebrate sending them back. After all they don’t like it here anyway. Always complaining.

[@mistafaz7033]

Watching this in December 2023 and I can think of while hearing the arguments made by both parties is this. Jay Z - The Story of OJ. Please listen with lyrics in case you don't get it.

[@user-tg5vs1xz5x]

What HAVE they done for Britain

[@ericatkinson9285]

It was the first illegal boat to reach these shores never invited or wanted.

[@BlessedLPT.]

Pot calling kettle black. Do you know the history of the British empire? Just another racist on the internet - May it never be well with you and your generation. For making life harder for others who are different from you, life will be hard for you and your children even unto the fourth generation

[@johno4521]

Thing is, it wasn't the first, there were 2 other ships before Windrush but for some reason The Windrush attracted all the publicity...

[@Lando-kx6so]

4:44 they declined because they are ashamed

[@Dave-hu5hr]

Gib moneh!

[@iborgiwc7899]

Why would we celebrate this?

[@harry130747]

I remember it well. Most became bus conductors and bin men. Oh and road sweepers.

[@mistafaz7033]

And are the majority of your doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers and every other high end professions. Aaaand your local takeaway for you to take away

[@BernieKolumbus]

They build crime 😂😂😂😂

[@user-en6dv1em9p]

Fake news

[@cdean2789]

Around 6,000 West Indians served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, in roles from fighter pilots to bomb aimers, air gunners to ground staff and administration. Thousands of West Indian seamen made their contributions in one of the Second World War�s most dangerous services, the Merchant Navy - one-third of all merchant seamen were to die during the war. One thousand volunteers for army service were formed into the Caribbean Regiment, which went overseas in 1944 and saw service in the Middle East and Italy. In addition, West Indians served in the Royal Engineers as highly skilled technicians. Upwards of 40,000 West Indians opted to join the various branches of the civilian war effort in the United States. 236 Caribbean volunteers were killed or reported missing during the Second World War; 265 were wounded. Caribbean air force personnel received 103 decorations.

[@jjyoutube82]

So, we still owe them nothing.

[@cerneuffington2656]

I'm certainly no expert on WW2, but if HitIer had conquered Britain, he would have control of the entire British Empire. So those brave soldiers were joining up to save their countries from Nazism. Most memorials say: British, Allied and Commonwealth Troops... there is no mention of anyone's colour, wherever they were from 🌹

[@idratherbeaphilthanajustin9533]

If there were approximately 30,000 merchant seamen deaths during WW2 and West Indians played a large part, the you would expect more than Caribbean 236 deaths in fairness. I smell a rat in this comment.

[@OhYeah32]

Another left wing myth.They saved themselves from Hitler.

[@dianecameron137]

so we help other countries to train pilots soldiers all our soldiers get is slammed they fought in war like many others which we should thank all that fought for us but the windrush not about war they came for work we help other countries rebuild search for people missing in disasters give million in donations and aide think we have done our bit to and what thanks do they get

[@Ura_Jack_Off]

*God bless knife crime ...* 🙏

[@martynthomas7486]

It's true that terrible things happened to the Windrush generation with appalling signs in windows and the recent scandal which is awful. However I just wish that an influential black person in the media was brave enough to admit that many who came WERE welcomed and were helped to integrate into British society. My Nan lived in Bermondsey, South London and took in two brothers. My Grandad found work for them in the Surrey docks. They stayed for a year and then moved to North London when their third brother arrived. But they never forgot my Grandparent's kindness and even attended my Grandad's funeral when he died in 1964. But this is not what 'they' want reported as it goes against their 'all whites are racist' agenda. Perhaps there's some code like 'thou shalt not praise white people' or something?

[@BlessedLPT.]

God forbid, you know that not the case - don’t play the victim card! People stand up against injustices because the evil was and is still present. Ofc there are exceptions to every rule, but doesn’t excuse the fact that they faced racism and still do!!

[@martynthomas7486]

@BlessedLPT I didn't think I was playing the victim card (I'm a straight white male so society has deemed I have no 'cards' to play) but I did acknowledge that racism does still exist but my point was that all the reports I've seen only want to focus on the bad stuff when my Grandparents treatment of the two brothers who stayed with them isn't reported as it would show white people in a good light regarding black people which, in my opinion, the media don't like to acknowledge.

[@OhYeah32]

The signs by landlords were there mainly because they got bumped by these people. Dogs and other Animals would make the carpets smell. So you wouldn’t have that in your house. Also the sight of Black peoples would be scary in the early years because most Brits had never seen them before.

[@martynthomas7486]

@kevpidd6711 exactly, good point. What today's people also fail to grasp is that the Windrush arrived only 3 years after the war and people had spent 5 years worrying about the invasion of Hitler's forces. So when new people did arrive you can see why they were received with hostility, albeit misplaced.

[@elkpaz560]

Of course, that is true. Retrospectively though all that kindness hasn't worked out well for the people of Bermondsey. Kindness is no longer a personal choice but is now a structural prejudice against the white community.

[@Kraken54321]

'People who built it' 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@angelafindlay7123]

Wind us in then Windrush us out so much pain full and sorrow who wil l paiy for my brother who died because he was stressed i am stull waiting for my payment kmt

[@colonelturmeric558]

Payment? Stealing taxpayers money i see

[@angelafindlay7123]

@colonelturmeric558 my parent Ss worked hard looking after racist people called names who feels it knows it you can talk but do that in the day of your judgement which isn't to far away since your words tell who you are .....I know what tour judgement is condemned with all the evil wicked doers what come out of you mouth defines you

[@carllee2218]

Good one 👍 from old Charlie

[@bigtesticles1929]

A total lie a con

[@ericatkinson9285]

Resist

[@Rory626]

Absolutely crazy how good that man looks at 97!!!

[@vincentblack7467]

Black's don't crack, as they say.

[@GloryOfBarbelo]

@@vincentblack7467 they smoke it and sell it

[@stephenjon3502]

Caribbean foods far better than English stodge.

[@elkpaz560]

@@stephenjon3502 A good English roast can't be beaten. Spicy food is to cover up the tendency to rot in hot countries.

[@Dave-hu5hr]

@@stephenjon3502 Full of protein are mud cookies..

[@MrAnyalewechi]

I'm of Nigerian descent from the uk. full respect for those of the windrush generation for helping to establish black culture in the uk. I am very greatfull especially for what you guys must have been through during those early years. Britain would be much more bland if it wasn't for you.

[@kevindurand3237]

Thanks for all the knife crime. Good job

[@MrAnyalewechi]

yes and thanks for raping stealing and colonizing foreign lands. have a nice day

[@james2479]

Britain would be alot safer. Gangs wouldn't run London and homeless people wouldn't be all over the streets.

[@thomasreed49]

We like bland.

[@CHRISANDREOU4199]

It's easier to convince someone that there a fool, Than it is to convince them that they've been fooled

[@xelthiavice4276]

rofl...

[@Itskilo]

🔪🔪🔪🔪

[@fishgodeep204]

😂😂😂😂 ee dont want them in the uk

[@BlessedLPT.]

Then be prepared to work extra hard coz your NHS and economy will crash. Dear racist and ignorant person - you don’t know the law of seed time and harvest. Whatsoever you sow to others will come back to your sevenfold. Your racism comes out of your evil heart. May it never be well with you

[@MrAnyalewechi]

ain't leaving. what you gonna do? absolutely nothing

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

Poo Rush

[@BlessedLPT.]

Dear racist commentator For your abuse towards others it will never be well with you. The same evil that you sow towards someone else because of your racist heart, you will receive ten fold

[@caravanstuff2827]

75 years. ago... build a bridge and get over it!!.❤️🇬🇧🇺🇦

[@veda1306]

Keep that same energy for the country your representing.😊

[@Lando-kx6so]

ah yes time to kick out the ukrainians then

[@BlessedLPT.]

Only a racist would say that. Would you say that to those who celebrate the world war? Probably not. It always hurts racist people to celebrate others who are different from them. The evil that you sow for others during their time of celebration just know that it will never be well with you! You will never be celebrated.

[@MrAnyalewechi]

agreed. some real bitter people on here. it's actually funny. I feel sorry for them

[@stephenjon3502]

Nothing like a news item on black people to bring out the Stoned Iceland gang😂

[@goldenoatie]

Nothing like a fake history item on black peoples to bring out the wasters and failures that readily accept the lies in order to pat themselves on the back. Traitors like this are the reason that our country is overrun by parasites and criminals.

[@stephenjon3502]

Can’t see your reply. Must be dodgy.

[@goldenoatie]

Nothing like a fake history item on black peoples to bring out the wasters and failures that readily accept the lies in order to pat themselves on the back. Traitors like this are the reason that our country is overrun by parasites and criminals.

[@stephenjon3502]

@@goldenoatieWhat’s fake about it? Please provide your sources. Do you actually know what the word Traitor means? Most of you Right wingers don’t, but trot out the usual comments.

[@stephenjon3502]

@@goldenoatieThing is - I would wager you voted for Brexit. If you did then you would have played your part in making us a third country and allowing everyone in and not being able to send anyone back to anywhere. Ironic?

[@Lando-kx6so]

Windrush was massively impactful and should be celebrated but it wasn't the start or the end of Caribbean migration to the UK

[@OhYeah32]

Celebrating Britains decline

[@goldenoatie]

I don’t understand why an action that brought only negatives should be celebrated.

[@Lando-kx6so]

@@goldenoatie only negatives? You have a great England Football team, good food, & good music now.

[@Lando-kx6so]

@@OhYeah32 Britain's decline started when they chose to mistreat the people in it's empire

[@kevinb8558]

@@Lando-kx6so swings and roundabouts really. Britain has help other Countries with their infrastructure Railways and buildings etc plus a Education while at the same time ours is been in decline. Ask yourself why People leave a warm climate to come to a cold wet gray climate ? They didn’t want to go back to their roots in Africa and anyway people in Jamaica have probably a more mixed dna. Jamaican s especially have had it good here . Many in their homelands envy them.

[@winniemeade8037]

My mum when to uk 1950 my dad 1949

[@slinkiegirl2001]

shame the g/ment has not said anything about the 75 anniversary of the Windrush or reached out to the victims, instead they are alienating them by winding down the dept that is dealing with it

[@Jamie-Z]

Victims? You mean those who failed to comply with standard immigration procedures? Having the law applied to you does not make you a victim.

[@chiefteefteefreturns3320]

Victims 😂😂😂😂 they came to better themselves coincidentally just after the war ends and not during it, hhhmmmmm good timing.

[@Jamie-Z]

@@chiefteefteefreturns3320 Yes, although we did need help and had said so but we had not sent these people specific invitations as is often implied and the law still applies regardless. My wife is an immigrant, we were married in Hong Kong. When I brought her back here the law still applied and I had to follow the standard procedures or she would be thrown out. The same is true for these people.

[@slinkiegirl2001]

@@chiefteefteefreturns3320 from 1914 black soldiers fought in both the 1st and second world war on behalf of this country, over1,510 black soldiers lost there lives for this ungrateful country,

[@Jamie-Z]

@@slinkiegirl2001 Why do you see this country as ungrateful? Can you name one country that has done more for other nations? We took millions of black people out of slavery yet you say we should be sycophantically grateful because a handful fought in our defence in return. Over 2000 British naval officers lost thier lives in the West African Squadron alone yet I have not heard the sycophantic gratitude from Africa. 35,478 British soldiers died defending Africa from the Germans but you think we are in debt because 1,510 returned the favour. You are sick.

[@hourbee5535]

Our cuisine, sports, and music would be so bland if it were not for these brave people.

[@pduffy421]

Rubbish and what was BARVE about getting on a ship? Stupid.

[@GloryOfBarbelo]

bs, only hippies like reggae

[@JurassicRod]

We'd have far less junk food and awful droning rap and r and b. Maybe wouldn't have the obesity epidemic we're now in.

[@apathyintheuk265]

🤣🤣🤣

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Do me a favour, we imported cuisines without importing the people.

[@chino-vz1qd]

75 years & look at the state of British society 😂😂

[@BlessedLPT.]

You are using laughing emoji today but as a result of your racism I declare that it shall never be well with you and your generation- you racist and ignorant person. For making life hard for others, people will make life even harder for you!

[@lolyeahright4159]

😂😂😂 noting to celebrate

[@BlessedLPT.]

Nothing** Ignorant and racist individuals can post nonsense but they can never spell… just goes to show