October 5th 2024.
As the date of the unveiling approached, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions building up inside me. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. It was a beautiful September day in 2016, and I was about to unveil my great-grandfather's blue plaque at his former home in Camberwell. I had expected a small turnout, perhaps only a handful of people, but what I saw when I arrived was beyond anything I could have imagined.
The event was attended by a crowd of dignitaries, community figures, high-ranking officials from the fire brigade and military, all gathered to honor my great-grandfather, George Arthur Roberts. He was known as an activist, a soldier, and a London firefighter - and in 1938, he became the first Black man to join the London Auxiliary Fire Service. My heart swelled with pride as I thought about my family and their struggles.
My grandmother, Stella, faced many challenges in Trinidad while her father was at war and her mother was left alone in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. My mother also endured countless obstacles when she moved to London to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She faced discrimination and even failed her final exams five times while raising two young children. I, Samantha, am proud to be George's great-granddaughter, but the emotions of the day were overwhelming.
George's life was filled with many firsts and extraordinary achievements. He not only broke barriers by joining the "white" First Middlesex regiment during World War I, but he also started a discussion group movement in the fire service. This initiative aimed to alleviate boredom and nerves during bombing raids in London, and it earned him the British Empire Medal in 1944.
As I stood there, looking at the plaque with its white lettering against a bright blue background, I couldn't help but think about the man behind it all. Born in Trinidad in 1891, George's early life remains somewhat of a mystery, but it is believed that he worked as an electrician. He arrived in Southampton in 1911, just as World War I was on the horizon. Despite being the first Black man to join a "white" fighting regiment, he proved his bravery on the front lines and became known for his athletic abilities, especially in bowling. His skills came in handy as he would often pick up enemy bombs and throw them back over 74 yards.
Sadly, George was injured in the Battle of Somme and was sent back to Trinidad in 1916. However, he used his time there to recruit 250 men to join the war effort. When he returned to London in 1917, he became heavily involved in advocating for veterans' welfare and joined the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers. This organization, along with others, fought for the rights of veterans who were struggling after returning from war.
One of the few pieces of George's writing that has been preserved is a poignant description of the Battle of Westminster Bridge. This event turned violent as veterans, many of whom returned to poverty and unemployment, marched for jobs and the promised "homes fit for heroes." George wrote about the chaos and police brutality, but also the resilience and determination of the veterans who stood up for their principles.
After this event, various veterans' organizations came together to form the British Legion in 1921, which would later become the Royal British Legion. This organization, which my great-grandfather devoted the rest of his life to, continues to advocate for the welfare of veterans. In 1923, George moved to Camberwell and met Harold Moody, a Jamaican GP who was one of the founders of the anti-racism organization, The League of Coloured Peoples. George became the founding chairman of this influential organization, which started its own civil rights journal and involved notable figures such as C.L.R. James and Learie Constantine.
In 1938, George made history once again by becoming the first Black man to join the AFS. He also started the discussion group movement, which aimed to improve the well-being of firefighters during the London Blitz. As I stood there, surrounded by the memories and achievements of my great-grandfather, it was clear that he had risked his life countless times to protect others.
As I gave my speech at the unveiling, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I was overcome with pride and emotion, but also a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices my great-grandfather and my family had made. This moment was not just about honoring George Arthur Roberts, but it was also a reminder of the strength and resilience of my family and the Black community as a whole.
Today, we celebrate Black History Month as a time to reflect on the achievements, cultures, and contributions of Black people in the UK and around the world. It is a time to educate others about the diverse history of those of African and Caribbean descent. As we remember the incredible life of George Arthur Roberts, let us also recognize and honor the countless other Black individuals who have shaped our past and continue to inspire us today.
As I stood there, my emotions overwhelmed me and tears streamed down my face. It was September of 2016 and I was about to reveal a blue plaque in honor of my great-grandfather. I had anticipated a small gathering at his former home in Camberwell, but to my surprise, there was a large crowd of dignitaries, community leaders, fire brigade officials, and military personnel who had all come to pay their respects on that sunny autumn day. My great-granddad, George Arthur Roberts, was a remarkable man – an activist, a soldier, and a London firefighter who made history in 1938 as the first Black man to join the London Auxiliary Fire Service.
As the velvet curtain was drawn back, revealing the plaque with its white lettering against a bright blue background, a wave of pride and emotion washed over me as I thought of my family. I couldn't help but think of the struggles my grandmother, Stella, faced while growing up in Trinidad – her father at war and her mother struggling to make ends meet in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Port of Spain, Belmont. Even my own mother had her share of challenges when she came to London to train as a nurse, facing discrimination with signs that read "No Blacks, no Irish, no dogs" and failing her final nursing exams five times while raising two young children.
I am Samantha, George's great-granddaughter, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, not just as the first Black man to join the AFS, but also for starting a discussion group movement within the fire service to help ease the boredom and anxiety during the London Blitz. His dedication and service earned him the British Empire Medal in 1944.
As I reflected on all of this, I couldn't contain my emotions and had to give the rest of my speech with a tissue in hand. George's life was nothing short of extraordinary, and it was an honor to be able to unveil this plaque in his memory. He was born in Trinidad in 1891, and while not much is known about his early years, it is believed that he worked as an electrician. When the First World War broke out, he arrived in Southampton in 1911 and surprisingly joined a "white" regiment, the First Middlesex, becoming the first Black man to do so.
Standing at an impressive 6 foot 2 inches tall and with his exceptional bowling skills, George served on the front lines and was injured in the Battle of the Somme. He was sent back to Trinidad in 1916 and took the opportunity to recruit 250 men for the war effort. But his life was far from over. In 1917, he returned to London and was discharged from active service in 1919. He then dedicated his time to veterans' welfare, joining the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers as an officer, fighting for their rights and support from the government.
In one of the few personal pieces of writing we have from George, he eloquently describes The Battle of Westminster Bridge, a march that turned violent as veterans, who had returned from war to find themselves in poverty, demanded better treatment. He wrote about the chaos and the clashes with the police, but also the determination and resilience of those fighting for their rights.
After this event, several veterans' organizations came together to form the British Legion in 1921, which later became the Royal British Legion. My great-grandfather was a devoted member for the rest of his life. In 1923, he moved to Camberwell and met Dr. Harold Moody, a Jamaican GP who was one of the founders of The League of Coloured Peoples in 1931. George became the founding chairman of this anti-racism organization, which would go on to become a prominent voice in the UK, publishing their own civil rights journal and involving influential figures such as C.L.R. James, Una Marson, and Learie Constantine.
Then, in 1938, George made history once again by becoming the first Black man to join the AFS and starting the discussion group movement. It is believed that he risked his life countless times, rushing into burning buildings to extinguish the flames and save lives. His bravery and determination will always be remembered and honored.
As we celebrate Black History Month in October, it is important to reflect on the achievements, cultures, and contributions of Black people in the UK and around the world. It is a time to educate others about the diverse history of those of African and Caribbean descent. For more information on the events and celebrations happening this year, you can visit the official Black History Month website. Let us never forget the remarkable individuals, like my great-grandfather, who have paved the way for future generations.
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