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The
period immediately following the Second World War marked the arrival
of a significant number of people of African-Caribbean origin in
Gloucestershire - more specifically to the city of Gloucester.
Most
intended to stay only a few years; to improve their education,
learn a skill, or make enough money to buy a home in the Caribbean.
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Untold Stories |
Some
had been in Britain as servicemen during the war. Others were encouraged
to come by recruitment drives in the Caribbean funded by a government
eager to fill vacancies in certain occupations and to rebuild post-war
Britain.
Most
intended to stay only a few years - to improve their education,
learn a skill, or make enough money to buy a home in the Caribbean.
They came from all over the islands, the majority from Jamaica,
but also from Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad, and over the years, many
others.
The
long journey to Gloucestershire
In
the case of Histon (Stan) Boreland, there was no return to Gayle,
in the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica. Following his stint as a motorcyclist
with the RAF during the war, he stayed on.
It
was in 1944, as a young man aged 18, that he had seen advertisements
in the Jamaican Gleaner stating that 'The Mother Country Needs You',
encouraging people to join in the war effort. He responded to an
advertisement for ground staff for the RAF.
His
journey to England was not straightforward. He travelled on the
SS Cuba, leaving Jamaica on 16 May. However, after just four days,
the ship had to dock at Newport News, Virginia, USA. The men were
required to stay a few days at Camp Patrick Henry as the ship could
not be escorted across the Atlantic due to D-Day arrangements.
Stan recalls that there were between forty
and fifty servicemen from the Caribbean in Gloucester at the
time. In his last year at Innsworth he met his wife, Vilma,
during a camp dance at Churchdown. |
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Untold Stories |
After
a train journey to New York, he boarded the SS Arawa in a convoy
of 75 ships including tankers from South America, destroyers and
other boats. About half way across the Atlantic, a German submarine
was sighted and the convoy had to disperse. He eventually arrived
at Liverpool docks on 27 June.
Basic
training
Stan
completed eight weeks of basic training or 'square-bashing' in Yorkshire
- at a Butlin's camp which had been requisitioned by the Army -
followed by a motorcycle course at Weeton, near Blackpool. He was
then posted to Little Staughton, to Number 8 Bomber Group ('Pathfinders'),
as a motorcyclist travelling to various sister units, until the
end of the war.
Following
short spells in Suffolk and Cornwall, Stan came to Gloucester in
October 1946. He was posted to RAF Innsworth, where he remained
until 1949. He recalls that there were between 40 and 50 servicemen
from the Caribbean in Gloucester at the time. In his last year at
Innsworth he met his wife, Vilma, during a camp dance at Churchdown.
Return
to Gloucestershire
That
same year, due to a dock strike and the employment of servicemen
to carry out the work, he was posted to York, but later returned
to Gloucestershire, to South Cerney.
Here
he was based until he left the Air Force in January 1952. When he
was demobbed, he lived for a while with his in-laws. As an ex-serviceman
he had no problems finding accommodation and was given a council
house in Matson, where he still lives.
In
civilian life Stan was employed as a driver for many years. He then
completed a government training course as a welder and was employed
at the Wagon Works in Southgate Street until it closed down.
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