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This story was submitted to the People’s War website by Kathy Tutt, a volunteer from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Kent, on behalf of George C. and has been added to the website with his permission and he fully understand the site’s terms and conditions.

George was conscripted to the Army and was posted to the colonies in the North Caribbean, where the locals waited for the war to finish so that they could press for independence. Using his skills learned in the Home Guard he had the job of trying to quell any insurgents. He liked to think he was guarding the outposts of the British Empire. However when he was to come home for de-mobilisation, he travelled on the troupe-ship which has now become synonymous with West Indian immigration. This was the first authorised movement of 400 immigrants to the UK where all kinds of labour was badly needed. The ship was called the Empire Windrush and they docked at 8.0am in Tilbury. The news announced their arrival, Fleet Street reporters were evident from a flotilla of little boats surrounding the ship and planes overhead were taking photographs. As George said ‘Little did I realise my homecoming would be so well publicised!’

This story was told during story gathering at Tonbridge Library 7th July 2005

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