The Windrush Generation

1. What Was the Windrush Generation?

The Windrush Generation were people from the Caribbean, who came over to Britan after World War 2 to help rebuild the country.

The HMT Empire Windrush was the ship that brought the first large wave of Caribbean people to the Brirtan in 1948. Further ships came over, bringing more and more people, until the 1970s.

Key Fact: The Windrush arrived in Tilbury in Essex on June 22, 1948, carrying 492 passengers from Jamaica.

HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain

2. Why Did People Come to Britain?

Because the Caribbean was failing economically, like Britan so there was an opportunity for a better life and jobs. Britan needed workers more than ever, to help rebuild the country. Jobs in Britian were better paid than in the Caribbean.

Key Fact: Wages in Britain for the Windrush generation (post-1948) were generally four to five times higher than in the Caribbean

Windrush generation people

3. What Was Life Like in Britain?

The Windrush generation faced many challenges when they arrived in Britan. They experienced racism and discrimination, making it hard to find jobs and housing. Many worked in low-paying jobs, such as bus drivers, nurses, and factory workers.

They were forced to live in the poorest areas of Britain, in cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

Despite these challenges, they contributed significantly to British society and culture.

Key Fact: 236 of the Windrush passengers had to be temporarily housed in the Clapham South deep shelter, which had been used during World War II.

Clapham South deep shelter housing Windrush passengers