Caribbean war heroes who gave their lives for Britain honoured at their graves

16 October 2023 , 23:01

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Serving West Indian Officers at the ceremony remembering those who fell during WW1 (Image: Charlie Varley/varleypix.com)

A series of powerful and poignant ceremonies have been held to commemorate hero Caribbean soldiers killed on WW1 battlefields.

There were emotional scenes as a sprinkling of soil, brought over from a Caribbean island, was laid on each of the graves of 21 men who died. For the first time ever “The Last Post” - played every night at the Menin Gate in Ypres - was performed on steel pans.

As part of Black History Month Veterans and serving soldiers travelled across to Belgium and France to play their respects. Among them were 99-year-old Neil Flanigan and 97-year-old Gilbert Clarke - both WW2 RAF veterans. They were joined by Brigadier Karl Harris - the ranked officer of West Indian descent serving in the British army. And Maurillia Simpson who completed three tours of Iraq.

Brigadier Karl Harris CBE of the Royal Artillery lays a wreath at the grave of Douglas Roy Manley who was killed in action (Charlie Varley/varleypix.com)

National Windrush Museum director Sue Libord said: “In British history, the experience of Black people is often underrepresented, and our stories untold. If we are commented upon the narrative is riddled with bias and prejudice. In 2023 a shift has happened.

"A light has been shone on the contribution, service and sacrifice made by black people of Caribbean heritage. On 22nd June we celebrated 75 years of Windrush a seminal moment in British History. Today we are here remembering and commemorating West Indians whose service and sacrifice ended in a loss of their life.”

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The soldiers, past and present, came together for the moving ceremony (Charlie Varley/varleypix.com)

Garry Stewart, 99 year old WW2 veteran Neil Flanagan, Dennis Litchmore, Maurilla Simpson and 97 year old WW2 veteran Gilbert Clarke (Charlie Varley/varleypix.com)

Brigadier Harris thanked the Daily Mirror covering the weekend’s events. They were organised by the by the British West India Regiments Trust, the National Windrush Museum and the Royal British Legion. The soil was sprinkled at the graves in Lijssenthoek lovingly cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Brigadier Karl Harris CBE of the Royal Artillery, the highest ranking West Indian soldier in the British army shares a joke with Chelsea Pensioner Trevor John formerly of the Welsh Regiment and the King's Liverpool Regiment and Brigadier Harris' military veteran father Norman Harris (Charlie Varley/varleypix.com)

Earlier the group attended Poperinge New Military Cemetery to pay homage to brave Jamaicans Private Herbert Morris and Gunner Douglas Roy Manley.

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