Putting the 'story' into 'history'
As we gear up to commemorate the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury on 21st June 1948 (the passengers disembarked on 22nd) spare a thought for the contribution of an earlier generation of black men to the history of Britain. On the morning of 18th June 1815 black men stood shoulder to shoulder with … Continue reading “Waterloo Day?”
One job I had in the past was to work with others across government to look at the causes of homelessness and try to come up with solutions. For a while I think we had some success but some problems never really go away and the case of Peter Bishop illustrates that there is nothing … Continue reading “Peter Bishop: A Black veteran of Waterloo”
By John D Ellis The respectable citizens of the city and shire of Lincoln must have breathed a sigh of relief in February 1851, when the Stamford Mercury reported the death of Peter Bishop.[1]Stamford Mercury, 11th July 1851. findmypast.co.uk A recidivist, in and out of gaol (Lincoln and elsewhere) for over three decades, Peter Bishop … Continue reading “Peter Bishop, 1792-1851: Soldier of the 69th Foot and Veteran of Waterloo”
By John D Ellis In the eighteenth century the fashion for exotic “Turkish music” and belief in the “natural propensity of Black people for music” resulted in Black men being enlisted to serve as military musicians in British Army regiments. Playing percussion instruments such as cymbals, tambourines, big-drums and kettle drums, they were employed as … Continue reading “Trumpet-Major James Goodwin: A Black Hero of the Battle of Waterloo”
By John D Ellis William Shakespeare coined the description ‘A Band of Brothers’ in Henry V (c.1597) when the character of the same name gave his St Crispin’s Day speech before the Battle of Agincourt (1415): “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall … Continue reading ““A Band of Brothers” – The Black Soldiers of the 20th Regiment of Light Dragoons, 1797-1818″
By John D Ellis This article explores the enlistment of soldiers of African and Asian origin in the city of Edinburgh between 1792 and 1848. Today, the existence of three services within HM Armed Forces (the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force), means that, to many identity, and belonging are to the service … Continue reading “Black Soldiers and Edinburgh c.1792-1848”
By John D Ellis John Fitzhenry was born at Montego, Jamaica c.1780. Nothing is known of his background. He served in the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Foot between June 1798 and March 1802.[1]A number of Black soldiers served in the 52nd, see: www.academia.edu/38600492/The_drowning_of_Richard_Lisles John Fitzhenry enlisted for unlimited service in the 14th (The Duchess of York’s Own) … Continue reading “From Jamaica to Hampton Court Palace: Private John Fitzhenry of the 14th Dragoons”
By John D Ellis Joseph Fergus was born at St Kitts c.1793. Nothing is known of his origins other than that at some point in his childhood he had moved to London where, in June 1812, he enlisted in the 2nd Foot Guards (The Coldstream Guards). The regiment employed Black men as enlisted musicians in … Continue reading “Joseph Fergus: An Antiguan Bandsman in the Coldstream Guards and later a publican in Westminster, 1793-1851”
.By John D Ellis Stephen Hannibal was born in Poplar, Middlesex on the 22nd of October 1814.[1]For Stephen Hannibal see: The National Archives (TNA) PCOM2 Piece 202. www.oldbaileyonline.org convictrecords.com.au Australia Convict Ships 1786-1849. Office Copies Of Printed Indents 1831-1842 (Nrs … Continue reading He was baptised at All Saints Church, Poplar on the 14th of July … Continue reading “From Poplar to New South Wales and back: Stephen Hannibal – Convict, Seaman and Servant”
By John D Ellis It’s nice when you can tell the whole story but sometimes it isn’t possible and all you have is a fragment, insignificant in its own right but, combined with other fragments, they can contribute in a small way to a bigger picture. Fragments are frustrating but can sometimes trigger further research … Continue reading “Fragments (18th/19th Century)”
