Community news. The West India Regiment (WIR) was formed between 1795-1927 The WIR was comprised of men and women from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Bahamas, British Honduras, Grenada, Guyana, St Lucia, St. Vincent, and other Caribbean countries.
In 1807 The British Parliament passed The Mutiny Act which freed the enslaved black soldiers of The WIR. Some soldiers volunteered to fight for their “mother country” in hopes of better socio-economical status for themselves, their Caribbean country, and future generations.
Some soldiers died from overwork, malnutrition, radical change in climate, and being harshly disciplined. In World War I The WIR won 81 medals for bravery but, when the soldiers returned to England there were no welcome home parade, pension for them or their widows or equal rights. The black soldiers weren’t allowed to vote, denied education, employment, honour, and respect. We owe it to our ancestors a moment to thank and celebrate the sacrifices they made for us. We wear our poppy’s in honour of you.
