The British West India Regiments Heritage Trust (BWIRHT) is a community focused organisation dedicated to honouring the legacy and lived experience of British West Indian service personnel. Our mission is to increase the visibility of Black veterans in national commemorations, assist serving personnel of West Indian heritage in their transition to civilian life and advocated for and provide culturally sensitive health and social support to minimise inequalities within our communities. Our work bridges heritage, inclusion, and wellbeing. We deliver impactful activities that educate, connect, and empower intergenerational audiences, ensuring that the contribution of British West Indians to UK military history is acknowledged and celebrated. Key Achievements in the Past Year Include International Commemoration and Intergenerational Learning. In October 2024, BWIRHT led their third field trip to Flanders, Belgium, attended by 90 participants including serving personnel, veterans (one of whom served in WWII), family members, and community allies. The main activity of this tour was the unveiling of a memorial plaque in the St George’s Memorial Church, Ypres celebrating 110 years since the forming of the British West India Regiments. The plaque will stand as a permanent and emblematic reminder of who answered the call and traveled from the West Indies and never returned. The initiative was supported by the Royal British Legion, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, SHAPE-NATO, and the Trinidad and Tobago embassy in Belgium. The event received national (Daily Mirror) and international coverage and widened understanding of West Indian contributions to global conflicts. Civic Recognition and Representation On Remembrance Sunday November 2024, the Trust participated in the National Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph, reinforcing visibility at the heart of national memory. A few days after that event the Trust was Asian represented at the Cenotaph in Whitehall as a Guests of the Western Front Association annual wreath laying service Community Memorial and Celebration Educational Impact and Community Connection During the months of October and November, BWIRHT attended primary schools and gave presentations to children about the West Indian soldiers who have served King and Country since 1795. These sessions provided enlightenment and knowledge, increasing the children’s awareness and understanding of Black history, as well as the contributions and achievements of West Indians in service to society. In May 2024, BWIRHT held a community Walkathon in Woolwich, offering participants the chance to explore local naval and military heritage, including the role of the historic Woolwich Arsenal. The event provided an inclusive and accessible opportunity for physical activity, education, and intergenerational engagement. It concluded with a Caribbean meal and social gathering that cultivated connection, cultural pride, and informal mental wellbeing support. BWIRHT continues to develop peer-led mental health and social programmes aimed at addressing inequalities faced by veterans and families of West Indian heritage. Our projects use cultural knowledge and community wisdom to deliver meaningful change, build belong-ing, and promote resilience. Through these initiatives, BWIRHT remains committed to creating a more inclusive commemorative culture, empowering veterans, and advancing social justice and wellbeing within and beyond the armed forces community.

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