Plans for memorial to Caribbean soldiers takes step forward
The campaign for a new monument to honour the contribution of soldiers and civilians from the Caribbean has taken a step forward as a fresh fundraising push gets under way.
The National Caribbean Monument Charity wants to raise £500,000 for a dedicated monument in the grounds of Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum.
Talks have taken place with the managers about the plans to unveil the monument in September 2019 and a potential site has now been agreed meaning the group can move ahead with fundraising.
Trustees have also spoken to a sculptor who is working on a design for the memorial which will honour those who served in the First and Second World Wars as well as other conflicts.
One of the trustees is 65-year-old retired Royal Air Force Warrant Officer, Donald Campbell,who lives in Tipton.
""We have been to the National Memorial Arboretum to look at various sites and we have theoretically agreed on a site.
"We have also engaged a sculptor who is working with us on a sketch for the memorial.
"This memorial will uphold and remember their contributions and sacrifices to Britain and create a lasting legacy for present and future generations through educational programmes in schools, churches, community centres and organisations," he said.
The campaign started when Army veteran Pauline Milnes, who lives in London, visited the National Arboretum Memorial at Alrewas two years ago and realised there wasn't a dedicated monument for Caribbean soldiers.
The only mention she could find was of a 17-year-old Jamaican called Herbert Morris who was shot at dawn during the First World War.
It is believed he was one of the youngest soldiers to be executed, though not the only one underage.
Private Morris was pardoned under Section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, recognising that execution was not a fate he deserved.
The group believes his sad story deserves to be recognised but it shouldn’t be the only representation of Caribbean soldiers in the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum.
Private Morris was just one of around 15,600 men of the British West Indies Regiment who served with the Allied forces.
Jamaica contributed two-thirds of these volunteers, while others came from countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the Bahamas, St Lucia and St Vincent.
In total, 81 medals for bravery were won and 49 men were mentioned in despatches.
In the Second World War,16,000 West Indians volunteered for service alongside the British with more than 100 of them women who mostly chose to join the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force).
To donate to the campaign and for further information see www.thenationalcaribbeanmonument.org or call Mr Campbell on 07802 723 222.
