January 10th: Today’s Feature

January

The Graves of the British West Indies Regiment in Sussex 1916

In the military section of Seaford cemetery, located near the picturesque coast of Sussex, lies a solemn tribute to the brave soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment. Amongst the hallowed grounds, there are 19 graves dedicated to these valiant individuals who served during the winter of 1915-1916.

Men from the West Indies made their way to Sussex with a noble purpose: to defend and sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom and liberty, standing shoulder to shoulder with British soldiers. From October 1915 to March 1916, Seaford in Sussex became a training ground for these brave men, as they prepared themselves for the battles that awaited them in Europe. On October 4, 1915, a group of 750 men arrived from various islands in the West Indies, including Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Guyana, and British Honduras.

Just two weeks later, another 755 men from the 22nd battalion of Jamaica joined them in Seaford. The total number of soldiers raised from the West Indies reached an impressive 16,000, with an additional 4,500 volunteers from the regular West Indian regiment forming two battalions.

Tragically, between October 20, 1915, and January 30, 1916, nineteen West Indians lost their lives at the Seaford camp.

Among the countless stories etched into the fabric of Seaford cemetery, one particular headstone stands out, bearing the name of Harold Grubb. Paid for by his grieving relatives, the stone serves as a poignant reminder of his sacrifice. Inscribed upon it are the words, "Sacred to thy memory. Died for king and country." These heartfelt sentiments encapsulate the profound loss felt by those who loved him. Harold Grubb, a mere 18 years old, gave his life in service to his nation. His memory lives on, forever etched in the annals of history.

Another poignant tale emerges from the annals of the British West Indies Regiment, embodied by an earlier recruit known only as N. Phillips. Identified by his regimental number, 447, Phillips too answered the call to duty. Though his story remains shrouded in mystery, his presence among the graves of Seaford cemetery serves as a testament to his bravery and sacrifice. As visitors pay their respects to these fallen soldiers, they are reminded of the countless lives forever altered by the ravages of war.

Nelson N. Fevrier, bearing the number 1150, tragically passed away at the young age of 22 on the 5th of February in 1916. Interestingly, his relative, D. Fevrier, who held the number 1149, also met his untimely demise on the 23rd of January in the same year. Remarkably, in 2006, their graves were visited by their descendants. These cousins hailed from the beautiful island of St Lucia, as mentioned in the enlightening article titled "West Indian Men in Sussex" on the Brighton and Hove Black History site. Notably, the latter of the two fallen soldiers was Dennis Fevrier.

The war cemeteries in Belgium and France not only hold the graves of soldiers from the British West Indies Regiment (B.W.I.R.), but also those from Plymouth and Liverpool. It is worth noting that the impact of the Great War extended far beyond Europe, as there are memorials and graves scattered throughout the Caribbean.

In her book, "The Great Silence: 1918-1920 Living in the Shadow of the Great War," Juliet Nicholson sheds light on the interactions between the local inhabitants of Seaford and the B.W.I.R. soldiers. She mentions that the men were well-liked by the community, with 53 soldiers attending a church service in December 1915. Additionally, a photograph captures the Seaford branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters posing alongside black members of the charity, showcasing a sense of camaraderie.

Among the soldiers, Eric Hughes (private 875) was known to court two sisters. Tragically, seventeen of these soldiers lost their lives due to mumps or flu, highlighting the harsh realities faced during this tumultuous period.

The complete list of the 19 men:

L G Bennett        

Corporal J L Brown   

F A Cains      

William E Daniel     

G Duncan           

D Fevrier        

Nelson N Fevrier        

Harold C Grubb

Charles C Jarvis      

T Johnson     

Reginald H Laing    

Clarence A L Mais     

J O’Meally           

N Phillips      

Thomas D PrimoI Romney    

L Stephen    

Lance Corporal Benjamin A Van Gronigenand Willfred (sic)

B C William

Their Sacrifice and Dedication were honoured in November 1994, when a special memorial service took place at the Alfriston Road Cemetery in Seaford. This poignant event brought together World War II veterans from the West Indies Ex-Service Men and Women Association in London, marking a unique and significant moment in history.