Introduction
By the time of the Second World War, many countries in the Caribbean had been colonised by the European Empires. Much of the Caribbean was colonised by Great Britain and became part of the British Empire. British territories in the Caribbean spanned the region and were collectively known as the British West Indies, including countries like Jamaica, The Bahamas and Barbados. As the Caribbean was decolonised between the 1960- and 1980s, the terminology changed to refer to these countries as the Commonwealth Caribbean.
Caribbeans had a long tradition of service in the British Armed Forces by the start of the Second World War. Two men from the Caribbean had won Victoria Crosses in the nineteenth century and the British West Indies Regiment had fought with great valour and skill in the First World War.
Troops of the West Indies Regiment in camp on the Albert - Amiens road, September 1916. © IWM (Q 1202)
The first contingent of the South Caribbean Force to leave the West Indies for service overseas. Photograph shows:- A Caribbean soldier, saying goodbye to his friends, in the town of Arima, Trinidad. © IWM (K 7398))
Britain’s entry into the Second World War meant that ultimately its Empire would follow it as it had in the First World War. Caribbean nations quickly offered moral support, material and personnel support to Britain.
It was a long way from most of the major battlefields of the Second World War in Europe, the Pacific and Asia, which meant transport to these locations was difficult. However, its position in the Atlantic was helpful in combating attacks by German U – Boats (German submarines), once the USA entered the War in late 1941. This was because Caribbean airbases helped the USA to provide air support to ships in the Battle of the Caribbean.
West Indians in the Royal Air Force: The Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Right Hon Oliver Stanley, seen chatting with three volunteers (Left to right: AC W P Ince of British Guiana, AC E Johnson of Jamaica and AC S E Johnson of Jamaica) during a passing out parade of West Indians at a Royal Air Force station in Yorkshire, 6 September 1944.
One of the most notable elements of the Caribbean’s large and multifaceted contribution was personnel for the Royal Air Force (RAF). More individuals from the British West Indies enlisted in the RAF than from any other British colony. Caribbeans also served in the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy and the Army during the war.
As importantly, Caribbeans worked in industry to help supply the Allied war effort. Additionally, the region made important economic contributions felt throughout the British Empire.
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References