African and Caribbean War Memorial
The ‘‘African and Caribbean War Memorial’’ started as a World War II tribute project to ex RAF Caribbean World War II veterans, who arrived on the MV Empire Windrush in 1948. The memorial was agreed by the Port of Tilbury, to be placed at the entrance of Cruise Terminal at Tilbury Docks, as part of the centenary commemorating the outbreak of World War I. However, as the project began to evolve into a larger tribute that included both World Wars and in recognition of servicemen and women from both Africa and the Caribbean, it was agreed by the memorial recipient – The Port of Tilbury, and the project organizers - the Nubian Jak Community Trust, that a new more accessible location needed to found.
Location
After exploring a number of potential sites which included the National Arboretum in Staffordshire, London’s Southbank, and Peckham Square also in London, the Trust finally settled for Windrush Square in the heart of Brixton, South London. The area has a strong connection with African and Caribbean culture and history, and at 11 minutes past 11am, on the 11th November 2014 the memorial was temporarily unveiled at the Black Cultural Archives, no. 1 Windrush Square, Brixton.
Design
The African and Caribbean War Memorial was designed by Jak Beula of the Nubian Jak Community Trust. It consists of two 6 ft Oblisks made from Scottish Whinstone. Both weigh approximately 0.75 tons. It is inscribed with the name of every regiment from Africa and the Caribbean who served in World War I and World War II, as well as where they served, and when. It also includes a Pyramidal plinth made from Ancaster Stone and weighing just under 1.5 tons (combined weight 3 tons). The memorial is supported by Lambeth Council, Department of Communities and Local Government, Her Majesties Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Heritage Lottery Fund, Black Cultural Archives, Madstone Limited, Association of West Indian Personnel and a number of Community Stakeholders.
Recent Events
The Memorial has been in storage since November 2014, during which time two planning applications were submitted, and fundraising efforts made to cover the cost of the memorial’s manufacture, plinth design and installation ceremony. Planning permission was finally granted on 28 September 2016. The African and Caribbean War Memorial will be permanently installed on Windrush Square on 22 June 2017 (Windrush Day).