Council acknowledges British West India Regiment

Barking and Dagenham Council has formally acknowledged the historical contributions of the British West India Regiment and the service of Global Majority Service Personnel.

The Full Council meeting on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, passed a motion to recognise the significant, yet often overlooked, service of these individuals in both World Wars and beyond.

Councillor Ingrid Robinson, who moved the motion, highlighted the importance of including all who served, regardless of race or background, in national remembrance. Our black and brown children must be made aware that their ancestors fought for Britain, she stated, emphasising the need for equality in recognition to strengthen the borough's shared sense of community.

Councillor Robinson elaborated on the specific historical contributions of the British West India Regiment, noting that men from the West Indies answered the call of the mother country, Great Britain, to assist in fighting both world wars. She detailed instances such as Douglas Roy Manley, brother of Michael Manley, who volunteered for the British Army in 1915, fought with the Royal Field Artillery, and was killed in action on July 26, 1917, while assisting an injured comrade. Herbert Francis Burden, a 17-year-old who misrepresented his age to enlist, was executed by firing squad for desertion. During World War II, many young men from the West Indies volunteered, with some serving in the Air Force. Among them were Neil Flanagan, MBE, who died at 99, and Mr. Gilbert Clarke, who passed away at 100 on May 23, 2026, having joined the RAF at 16.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Sade Bright, who noted that the story of the British West India Regiment is largely unknown and deserves wider recognition. It's 2026, not 1816 or 1826. It's time to tell the story, she urged.

Councillor Robinson also stated that the British West India Regiment Heritage Trust (BWIRHT) was formed to educate everyone that men from the West Indies answered the call of the mother country, Great Britain, to assist in fighting both world wars. The motion further emphasises that remembrance and gratitude must include all who served, regardless of race or background — and that equality in recognition strengthens our shared sense of community. Additionally, it highlights that education and awareness are vital to ensuring the bravery and contributions of Caribbean and global majority soldiers are never forgotten.

An amendment proposed by Councillor Ben Suter, which sought to broaden the recognition to include Gurkha regiments and disregard military compensation as income for local authority benefits, was debated but ultimately lost. While the specific reasons for its loss are not detailed, Councillor Bright suggested the original motion was specific and the amendment may have been perceived as diluting its focus.

Councillor Robinson's motion also called for the development of educational resources for local schools in partnership with the British West India Regiment Heritage Trust (BWIRHT) and the Barking and Dagenham Education Team. It further proposed exploring a permanent civic tribute or memorial and encouraging community participation in remembrance events.

The council also resolved to request that the Mayor and Armed Forces Champion write to the Ministry of Defence and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to support national recognition. The current status of national recognition for the British West India Regiment and Global Majority Service Personnel is not detailed in the provided text.

The council also resolved to work collaboratively with veteran organisations to promote inclusive remembrance and ensure equal support for all service personnel and veterans.

This initiative was discussed as part of the Full Council meeting on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, the agenda for which can be found here. The public reports pack for the meeting is available here, and the minutes can be accessed here. A supplementary agenda was also issued, which can be found here.