A free event at The National Archives on Thursday 24th January 2019 exploring the experiences of BAME seafarers during the First World War and the resources available for researchers.
The New Events Space, The National Archives, Bessant Drive, Richmond TW9 4DU.
In January 2018 Gateways to the First World War sponsored a popular and well-attended workshop at the University of Portsmouth which highlighted research from academia, public history organisations, and community historians on the service of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) seafarers in the First World War. The event prompted much discussion, and it became evident that there is still a great deal work to be undertaken in order to explore and highlight the issues of racial identity and the idea of ‘war work’ in our remembrance of those who contributed to, were affected by and even lost their lives during the First World War. As a result of the success of the workshop Gateways and The National Archives have planned this new event which we hope will develop further dialogue between existing projects and inspire and equip community historians to create their own projects on this subject.
The National Archives has a varied and fascinating set of records that helps draw out not only the contribution of BAME seafarers during the First World War but the challenges that many faced in the wake of the war ending and the racial disturbances that followed. The collection includes Home Office and Colonial Office correspondence coupled with documents from other government departments that gives important insights into many of the issues, such as employment and immigration, that impacted seafaring communities in some of our most important port cities during this period.
Are you interested in learning more about the history of the First World War service of BAME seafarers. Could you help to bring more of these stories and heritage to light?
This is a free and open event. Please book your place here.
Programme:
11.00: Registration with teas, coffees and resources display.
11.50: Iqbal Husain (The National Archives) welcome and housekeeping.
12.00: Professor Brad Beaven (University of Portsmouth) Port Towns and Urban Cultures and Gateways to the First World War.
12.30: Dr Antony Firth (Fjordr) Black and Asian Seafarers on England’s east coast in the First World War.
12.45: Anne Dodwell (HLF) Funding programmes now that the FWW: Then and Now grant is closed.
13:00: What’s On: Presentation by The National Archives Outreach Team with accompanying document display.
14:00: Lunch
14.45: Sonia Grant. African and Arab Merchant Seamen Interned in Germany during the Great War.
15:05: Asif Shakoor interviewed by Georgie Wemyss (UEL). Unearthing Invisible Seafaring Histories of Empire.
15:25: Gaynor Legall. Tiger Bay and the First World War.
15:45: John O'Brien (British Library) An overview of the resources at the British Library and online, with a specific focus on the India Office Records.
16.05: Panel (Q&A) and Closing remarks.
16.30: End
http://www.gatewaysfww.org.uk
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
