On Tuesday 7 November 2017, legendary British jazz musician Courtney Pine dedicated a unique performance at RUSI to the British West Indies Regiment from World War One.
The performance followed a panel discussion exploring the contributions of the Labour Corps from World War One.
The event took place at the Royal United Services Institute, and followed a panel discussion with Michael Clarke, former Director General at RUSI, Dr Santanu Das from Kings College London, Dr Edward Madigan from Royal Holloway, University of London, and Dr Virginia Crompton from Big Ideas Company.
The audience enjoyed archive readings by actor Simeon Blake-Hall from ALT. Showcase, and participated in an Unremembered Memorial – remembering the Labour Corps men who died precisely 100 years ago.
The event is part of the project The Unremembered: World War One’s Army of Workers, led by Big Ideas Company and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
The Labour Corps came from around the world to support the war effort in World War One – China, India, Canada, the Caribbean and many other lands – but little is known of their contribution. Today, they are all but forgotten. They served and suffered. Many died. They are The Unremembered.
The Unremembered works with community groups across England to support informal and unique remembrance activities for the Labour Corps.