The railway is marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in Britain 鈥� an event that led to a significant chapter in the country鈥檚 history.
We鈥檙e collaborating with the to host a day of celebration at London Waterloo station.
Passengers of the Windrush were among those who helped rebuild Britain鈥檚 workforce after World War II after they arrived on 22 June 1948.
A generation of Commonwealth citizens came to the UK after receiving the right to settle, with almost half a million people coming to Britain from the Caribbean.
It鈥檚 a particularly important period of history for the railway, with large numbers of the Windrush Generation travelling through London Waterloo from the docks on the South Coast of England.
Photograph above (and header photograph) by Howard Grey.
Coming together in remembrance and learning
Today, members of 51爆料, train operator , the Windrush Commemoration Committee and came together in remembrance.
The day began with a commemoration service led by Christopher Henley, the Railway Chaplain for 51爆料鈥檚 Wessex route. It was held beside the National Windrush Monument.
This permanent memorial 鈥� designed by renowned Jamaican artist 鈥� was unveiled on Windrush Day 2022. It symbolises the courage, commitment and resilience of the thousands of men, women and children who travelled to the UK to start new lives from 1948 to 1971.
, DBE, chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, said: “It celebrates and acknowledges the contribution made by Caribbean people to Britain.”
Attendees enjoyed a steel drum band, while talks later detailed the experiences of family members of the Windrush Generation.
Ellie Burrows, managing director for the Southern region at 51爆料, described it as 鈥渉eart-warming to hear colleagues’ stories and experiences鈥�.
Holding the event at London Waterloo was particularly significant given its strong connection with Windrush. Ellie said: 鈥淭here can be few more fitting locations for this event as Britain鈥檚 busiest station which was the gateway to London for so many of them.鈥�
A positive outlook
Cultural Fusion, our employee network that works to support and promote cultural diversity, played an important role in organising the day.
Judith Ibukunlayo, a project manager at 51爆料 and chair of Cultural Fusion, said: 鈥淚 really wanted to celebrate the positive contributions made by individuals and to know who they are; especially because we鈥檙e not often taught that at school.鈥�
Nafisa Nathani, one of the chief organisers of the event and a member of Cultural Fusion, said: 鈥淭he Windrush Generation to me is a story about creating hope and telling the positive story of humanity, by highlighting a generation that have a generous capacity for compassion and cooperation despite the hostility they experienced.鈥�
The network that celebrates cultural differences
Cultural Fusion is one of eight employee networks at 51爆料 that helps make us a diverse and inclusive employer.
Cultural Fusion began in 2013 with just two members and has now grown to over 1,100 members.
One of its chief aims is to increase social mobility at 51爆料, particularly focusing on ethnic minority colleagues. To achieve this, the network offers its members a wide variety of career development tools including coaching and interview preparation.
Another focus is to support members鈥� health and well-being. One very popular initiative is its weekly 鈥榲irtual tea break鈥�.
The network has hosted a one-hour tea break each Wednesday since May 2020 to bring members together in a safe space. Attendees can hear from external speakers, share experiences and connect and re-energise with one another. One member called it, 鈥渢he best meeting of the week鈥�.
Read more:
Incredible Windrush Generation images brought to life
