When the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, Essex, from the Caribbean on June 22, 1948, it marked a significant moment for Britain.
Grappling with a labour shortage while endeavouring to rebuild its weakened economy in the aftermath of World War Two, a new Labour government promised young Caribbeans work in exchange for rejuvenating a country ravaged by six years of war.
Out of the original 1027 passengers aboard the Windrush, 236 of them found temporary shelter in a deep-level air raid facility at Clapham Common.
Subsequently, they sought work via the Brixton employment exchange, with some members of the Windrush generation opting to make South London their home.
In a captivating series of photographs by renowned social documentary photographer Jim Grover, he focuses on the people, groups, and organisations in South London who are wholeheartedly committed to preserving their distinctive Caribbean heritage and traditions.
These pictures, which are part of an exhibition called Windrush: A Voyage Through The Generations, currently at Clapham Library, also underscore the significance of intergenerational exchange and the invaluable passing down of memories and customs that have made substantial contributions to the vibrant tapestry of British society.
The launch exhibition of Windrush: A Voyage Through The Generations can be seen at Clapham Library on Clapham High Street until September.
Snapshot
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