As Remembrance Sunday passes us, we remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect the United Kingdom, its people, and its values. Remembrance Sunday is a day to remember all of those who gave their lives for the United Kingdom. It is not exclusive to the First and Second World Wars as some may believe, we also remember those who gave their lives serving our country in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and anywhere else they needed to be. Yet what is often lost on Remembrance Day is the contributions of those brave Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic soldiers who gave their lives to protect the United Kingdom. This blog will remember them today.
The United Kingdom joined the First World War on the 4th of August 1914 as part of the Allied Powers defence against the Central Powers. From the beginning of the war, Black and West Indian soldiers could be found in all branches of the armed forces. While some lived in the United Kingdom at the time, many of them travelled from the Caribbean at their own expense to fight for the United Kingdom. Soldiers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia and many other African countries united to drive the Central Powers out of Africa in favour of an allied victory. This proved vital for the United Kingdom’s efforts to win the war.
The Second World War started on the 3rd September 1939 when the Nazi German Government refused the United Kingdom’s request to remove their forces from Poland. The brave and heroic effort from Britain’s soldiers in this war is well documented, but less so is the valour of the BAME soldiers in this war. By the war’s end over 2 million Indian men fought alongside the United Kingdom, as did 350,000 men from nations across Africa. In addition, the contributions of citizens from former colonies to the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy after both branches had made heavy losses.
The bravery of BAME soldiers is not exclusive to the First and Second World Wars, and their efforts to protect the UK remain just as important today. In the most recent figures published by the UK government, 9.2% of the British Military regular forces were made up of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic soldiers. In addition, 5.2% of British Military reserves were also made up of BAME Soldiers. These soldiers served to protect the United Kingdom across the globe including in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. The British Army has created a BAME network for soldiers to celebrate and offer support to current BAME soldiers. The network aims to offer advice for BAME recruits once they are serving in the Army on matters such as careers or family support if they have family living abroad.
Overall, the value and importance of BAME soldiers' contributions to the United Kingdom in the past and present cannot be understated. As Remembrance Day passes us, we must keep in mind the brave Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic men and women who gave their lives to protect the values of the United Kingdom.