Christienna Fryar reveals the longer history of British-Caribbean relations that predates the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury docks on 22 June 1948

By Ellie Cawthorne

Published: Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 12:00 am


Seventy-five years ago, on 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush landed at Tilbury docks. The arrival of the ship is rightly remembered as a landmark moment in the story of Caribbean people in Britain. But, as historian Christienna Fryar joins Ellie Cawthorne to discuss, the Windrush didn’t appear out of nowhere; it was preceded by a long and complicated relationship between Britain and the Caribbean which is less well remembered today.