https://www.cwgc.org/stories/themes/black-history/?Page=1

11 stories f men and women who served with the Allied forces with pride and skill

The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports

projects that connect people and communities

with the UK’s heritage.

A Place Called Home is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery players, within A Place Called Home, we have been able to put on this locality event 'Woven Stories inspired by the Tapestry of Black Britons in WW2'

Exploring Black British heritage for starting new conversations to amplify a more inclusive historical narrative and prompting community remembrance for building awareness that Black British history is British history.

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/

These precious pieces of history may also be considered for inclusion in a digital tapestry celebrating the strength, service, and spirit of those who helped shape our shared past.

WW2 & Yoruba Creation Story at Wells Cathedral. Exhibition running Tuesday 4 November 2025 - Friday 28 November 2025

Introduction to Black Leaders in Britain KS 2 and above

Includes Somerset's Cheddar man; the oldest skeleton found in Britain, who lived 10,000 years ago (Stone Age)

From pilots to ground crew, and with tales from across the globe, the story of Britain’s Black airmen is an important part of the history of flying.

By aiming for the skies, many of them helped to bring about changes that are still making our world a better place.

Includes inspirational key figures such as Cy Grant from Guyana, Errol Barrow from Barbados, Sam King from Jamaica, John Henry Smythe from Sierra Leone and many more.

Explore the life and times of Walter Tull, one of Britain’s first black army officers, who served during the First World War.

Explore the contribution of Caribbean women who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War.

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

Photographs uncovering Britain’s black history before the Windrush Generation are held at the National Portrait Gallery. Curator Renée Mussai explains the history behind the Black Chronicles collection.

https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/second-world-war-service-and-sacrifice/second-world-war-service-and-sacrifice-william-bill-miller-1890-1970/

Born in Plymouth, William Alexander Miller, known as Bill Miller, was the son of an English mother and the son of a seaman and the grandson of a freed slave from Sierra Leone. After finding work on a British ship, his father had eventually settled in Plymouth. On leaving school Bill worked in the building industry and then at Devonport Dockyard in the electrical department.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

In addition to his career as an entertainer, Cy had been one of a small number of West Indians to qualify as aircrew officers and fly with the RAF during World War Two.

'A member of the RAF of indeterminate race' is the translation of a sardonic caption that appeared under Cy's photograph in a German newspaper shortly after his capture by the SS ~ evidently sneering at the deployment of coloured aircrew by the RAF.

For Cy, who is quick to affirm that he experienced no racial discrimination from any of his RAF comrades, it was a timely reminder of what he was fighting for.

In doing so many experienced exclusions, discrimination, and a lack of opportunity. Their enthusiasm and abilities were squandered.

For those who succeeded it proved the point that no matter what colour you are when given the same opportunities, everyone is capable of achieving great things.

Unfortunately, WWI and WWII were times when opportunities were often denied to many of the men and women of the Caribbean.

Contact Lynn@glade.org to enquire about borrowing

Contact Lynn@glade.org to enquire about borrowing

At the heart of the exhibition is a striking World War II tapestry, embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework with the support of the Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers.

The Tapestry of Black Britons aims to elevate Black British History, contributing to and amplifying an inclusive historical narrative that serves as a platform for community remembrance, whilst building awareness that Black British history is British history.

With recruits from across its empire, Britain’s troops in the Second World War were a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic force. Among those involved were more than a quarter of a million soldiers from East Africa and 2.5 million from South Asia, whose contributions to the Allied forces were absolutely essential to the outcome of the war.

The Second World War had complex legacies on different communities of people in the UK. A blog to explain a community outreach workshop to explore the range of experiences the conflict caused.