Mother Country: Britain's Black Community on the Home Front, 1939-45 - Softcover

Bourne, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752456105 ISBN 13: 9780752456102

Publisher: The History Press, 2010

Synopsis

Very little attention has been given to black British and West African and Caribbean citizens who lived and worked on the "front line" during the Second World War. Yet black people were under fire in cities like Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, London, and Manchester—and many volunteered as civilian defense workers, such as air-raid wardens, fire-fighters, stretcher-bearers, first-aid workers, and mobile canteen personnel. Many helped unite people when their communities faced devastation. Black children were evacuated and entertainers risked death when they took to the stage during air raids. Despite some evidence of racism, black people contributed to the war effort where they could. The colonies also played an important role in the war effort: support came from places as far away as Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, and Nigeria. Mother Country tells the story of some of the forgotten Britons whose contribution to the war effort has been overlooked until now.

About this title

About the Author:

Stephen Bourne is a leading authority on black history, and is the author of 10 books on the subject, including A Ship and a Prayer, Black in the British Frame, and Speak of Me as I Am.

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0752456105
• ISBN 13: 9780752456102
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160