Nov 30 1961 - 'A first glimpse of England for this wide-eyed litle girl who arrived with another 216 Jamaicans from the West Indies at Southampton docks. They arrived in the Spanish liner Montserrat.' TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

By Mark McConville

 

MOVING pictures have revealed the Windrush children arriving on British shores in the 1950s many of them unaccompanied as they started their new lives in what was then the imperial mother country.

Jan 3, 1962 – ‘This little girl – one of 650 immigrants – wearing a floral blanket over her shoulders, laid down a huge travelling basket and posed for her picture aboard the Liner Ascania when it arrived here last night. The six hundred and fifty are the first large party of West Indians immigrant to reach Britain this year. they should have arrived on Christmas eve, but one of the liners propellers was damaged by tug in Barbados and he had to steam to Martinque for repairs.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

The incredible images, as revealed by the website Retronaut, show Veronica Rose Rawle, from Kingston, Jamaica, in Britain to join her father who was working in Birmingham, a tiny Jamaican girl waiting patiently to disembark from the Begona when she arrived at Southampton and a first glimpse of England for this wide-eyed little girl who arrived with another 216 Jamaicans from the West Indies at Southampton docks.

Jun 24 1962 – ‘First glimpse of Britain makes a big impression on this tiny West Indian pictured at Southampton on arrival in the Italian liner Ascania. the ship had on board about 1,100 immigrants – the largest number to reach Britain from Trinidad, barbados and St Kitts. They arrived only a week before the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, under which the British Governement has power to limit the number of Commonwealth citizens coming to Britain to work or to settle.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

Other striking shots show a bewildered youngster stepping ashore wearing a towel to keep his shoulders dry from the rain, and holding tight his wide-brimmed hat, a Jamaican woman carrying her suitcase and son down the gangway of the Tender “Balmoral” and a West Indian baby pictured at Southampton on arrival in the Italian liner Ascania. The ship had on board about 1,100 immigrants – the largest number to reach Britain from Trinidad, Barbados and St Kitts.

Kids being helped by a policeman.
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

It wasn’t just adults who arrived in Britain from the Caribbean after the Windrush during the 1950s – it was children too.  Some arrived with one or both parents, others arrived alone to join parents already in Britain.  Part of what subsequently became known as the “Windrush Generation”, the children made their lives in Britain, some working for over 40 years and paying taxes.

Jan 3 1962 – ‘West Indian boy just arrived at Southampton. He was one of about 650 West Indian immigrants who arrived in the Italian liner Ascania before settling down to a new life in Britain.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

In 2010 the Home Office introduced its hostile environment policy, with “the aim to create, here in Britain, a really hostile environment for illegal immigrants”.  These children, although here legally, were caught up in this new ‘environment’.

Oct 24 1961 – ‘A West Indian mother and child catch a first glimpse of the land which is to become home, as they arrive in Southampton docks from the Spanish passenger vessel Montseraat. Nearly 300 west Indians arrived on board the Spanish ship. The immigrants are believed to be hurrying to Britain before any rumoured restrictions are made on their entry.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

The onus of proving people’s status was placed on employers and landlords, with large fines if they employed or housed someone deemed illegal.  This was a seismic shift in policy and culture in the Home Office.  People were required to provide evidence of their right to stay – records of National Insurance payments were deemed insufficient in at least one instance.

Nov 30 1961 – ‘Wearing a towel to keep his shoulders dry from the rain, and holding tight his wide-brimmed hat, a bewildered youngster steps ashore from a tender at Southampton docks for a first look at the land which will be his home. He was one of 217 Jamaicans who arrived from the West Indies in the Spanish liner Montserrat. When questioned most of the Jamaicans said they were planning to stay with relatives while looking for work.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

Immigration officials were not allowed to use their discretion in these cases, but had to follow strict rules and the introduction of ‘targets’ for deportations. Some people lost their homes and jobs and were denied healthcare on the NHS.  Some were deported.

Oct 24 1961 – ‘This Jamaican women carries her suitcase and son down the gangway of the Tender “Balmoral” followed by other passengers today. The “Balmoral” had brought the immigrants from their liner moored in Cowes Roads because of bad weather. The immigrant had left the West Indies in the “Montserrat” in good weather but on arrival here it was raining very heavily and many had only light summer clothing.’
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

Since the predicament of the Windrush Generation has been brought to public notice, one Home Secretary has resigned and a Windrush Taskforce has been set up to assist those who want to obtain documents giving a right to stay.

Sep 22 1958.
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com

 

For more information see www.retronaut.com

 

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