Today marks the 77th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex. Onboard were over 1,000 passengers, more than 800 of them from Caribbean nations such as Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados.
They were the first of tens of thousands of workers who came to Britain as citizens of the UK and Colonies, invited to help rebuild the country after World War II. This moment marked the beginning of what would become known as the Windrush Generation—a group whose legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of modern Britain and the families of EDI Accreditation founders too.
A Legacy of Contribution
The Windrush Generation played a pivotal role in shaping post-war Britain. They filled critical labour shortages, working in sectors such as:
Healthcare: Many became nurses and support staff in the newly formed NHS.
Transport: Others worked as bus drivers, conductors, and railway workers.
Construction and Industry: They helped build the infrastructure of a recovering nation.
Beyond their economic contributions, the Windrush Generation enriched British culture through music, food, literature, and activism.
Despite having been invited to the UK, promised opportunities for a better life, many people faced discrimination, hostility and hardship when they arrived.
The stories of our own families, arriving here as teenagers full of hope and optimism are hard to hear, but inspiring. Gruelling shift work, families living in one room, facing daily racism and abuse, it is a wonder they stayed at all. But we are so glad they did and are thankful for our rich history and fantastic families, because of their determination and sacrifice.
The Windrush Scandal: A Betrayal of Trust
Despite their contributions, many members of the Windrush Generation faced a devastating betrayal decades later. In 2018, it emerged that hundreds of long-term UK residents—many of whom had arrived as children—were wrongly detained, denied healthcare, employment, and housing, and even deported by the Home Office.
The Windrush Scandal was the result of the UK’s “hostile environment” immigration policies, which required individuals to prove their right to live in the UK. Many Windrush migrants, having arrived as British citizens, had never been issued formal documentation. The scandal prompted public outrage and led to the resignation of then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
An independent report by Wendy Williams in March 2020 described the scandal as “foreseeable and avoidable,” highlighting systemic failures and institutional racism.
In 2024 a review, also conducted by Williams, released after legal pressure, concluded that over 30 years of racist immigration legislation directly contributed to the Windrush Scandal.
The report found that:
Immigration laws were deliberately designed to exclude people of colour, particularly those from the Caribbean and other former colonies.
These policies were not race-neutral; they were shaped by a post-imperial mindset that sought to limit non-white immigration while maintaining economic benefits from former colonies.
Despite a formal apology from the UK Government and the creation of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, many affected people are still awaiting full compensation and justice. With Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FrHistS, who campaigned for the national day of recognition calling for a public inquiry into the Windrush Scandal.
Commemoration and Moving Forward
In response to the scandal, the UK government established Windrush Day to honour the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Initiatives like the Windrush Day Grant Scheme and the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station in 2022 aim to preserve their legacy and educate future generations, but whilst so many are still fighting for justice, this feels performative and tokenistic.
So, as we commemorate the 77th anniversary, and give thanks for our families sacrifices and strength, it is not only a time to celebrate the Windrush Generation’s contributions, but a time to remind people of the ongoing fight for racial justice for the Windrush Generation and their descendants. You can support the fight here: https://justice4windrush.org/
EDI News 