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Finding home
Hardback
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- Book Synopsis
- On 24 May 1948, the Empire Windrush sailed from Kingston, Jamaica, to harbour at Tilbury Docks. It carried 1,027 passengers and some stowaways, and more than two thirds of them were West Indies nationals. On 22 June 1948 they disembarked onto the docks, Alford Dalrymple Gardner was among them. Alford's story traverses both the uplifting highs and intolerant lows that West Indian migrants of his generation encountered upon travelling to Britain to forge out a life. From joining the British military during World War II to returning to Jamaica once it was won-only to come back to the UK when the government decided it needed him again-Alford witnessed milestone events of the 20th century that shaped the country he still lives in today. In the context of a supposedly 'post-Imperial' Britain where the lives of West Indian migrants hang precariously on the whims of the Home Office, Alford's heartening testimony is a celebration of those who endured hardships so that generations to come could call this place home.
- About The Author
- Born in 1926 in Kingston, Jamaica, Alford Gardner first came to England in 1944 to support the war effort, serving in the RAF. After a brief stay back in Jamaica, he decided to return to England to help to rebuild the country. He boarded the HMT Empire Windrush intending to build a life in the country he once called home. Despite a less than accommodating welcome back, he persisted and succeeded in forging a better life for his family. In his later years, Alford spent all his leisure time at the bingo hall. When not playing bingo, he would watch sports or spend time with his family. A much fuller sense of Alford's life is conveyed in his autobiography: Finding Home. Alford passed away in 2024 at the age of 98.
- Product Details
-
- ISBN
- 9781914344220
- Format
- Hardback
- Publisher
- Jacaranda, (22 June 2023)
- Number of Pages
- 320
- Weight
- 420 grams
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 236 x 160 x 26 mm
- Categories:
- Specific events and topics Social and cultural Oral history Maritime Military Second World War European Local and family History Memoirs Historical political and military History of sport Cricket Military veterans Air forces and warfare Society and culture: general Migration, immigration and emigration Integration and assimilation Discrimination and equal treatment Racism and racial discrimination Ethnic groups and multicultural studies Mixed heritage / mixed race groups or people Human rights, civil rights