Since retiring in 2016 I have come to love the National Archives at Kew and, more recently, The British Library at Kings Cross, both institutions where anyone with any interest in history could happily spend most of their days – and both completely free. I’m increasingly inclined to add the British Film Institute on London’s Southbank to my list of favourite places. A wide range of films can be seen in the (free) viewing booths adjacent to the foyer, including films from the early days of cinema that document the black presence in Britain. But I hadn’t realised until recently that they also host free talks for old people like me!
Recently I attended one given by Stephen Bourne, author of ‘War to Windrush: Black Women in Britain 1939 to 1948’. I arrived early and was one of an audience of about four in what was a pretty large space. I did fear this might be a bit of a flop but I’m pleased to say that by the time Stephen’s talk started there must have been at least 100 people present.
It’s a fascinating and under-researched subject and the talk was very illuminating. Stephen has met a number of the subjects discussed in the book and his talk was laced with personal reminiscences. The book mentions just two black women who were actually on board the Windrush when it docked at Tilbury: Mona Baptiste (featured elsewhere on this site) and Lucilda Harris. It’s a little known fact that there were around 230 women on the ship, including almost 60 Polish women coming to the UK under the terms of the Polish Resettlement Act. Most of the women were certainly white, but at Historycal Roots we are pretty sure there were other black women on board and it’s our aim to identify and write about them.
Essentially this was an early book launch (the book isn’t due to be published until 22nd June) and Stephen was available after the talk finished to sign copies (I joined the long queue). Some of the material in the book re-presents material from earlier books such as ‘Black Poppies’ and ‘Evelyn Dove’ but Stephen has an engaging writing style and there is enough new and interesting material to make the book a worthwhile addition to the Historycal Roots library.