By Ed Hardiman
In the mid-1940s a small contingent of African American soldiers arrived in East Yorkshire. They were part of several Black regiments which had been sent from the United States to train in the region. The majority were based in Cottingham, just outside Hull.
Whether men were either enlisted or conscripted into the army, it was expected that Jim Crow laws, which made mandatory the segregation of Black people in certain public places in America, should be enacted outside the confines of that country. Thus, the American military stressed and placed considerable pressure on the British government to keep Black and white troops separate and accept their harsher treatment of African Americans.[1] Although segregation was not practiced in British society, it was agreed that the Black GIs would live in Nissen huts on what is now called The Lawns in the grounds of Hull University, while their white officers stayed in a large house near the current Cottingham High School and it was made clear that the situation should not be antagonised.
Although, racism was prevalent among the American ranks, Black GIs were warmly welcomed by most locals. As demonstrated in the story of Wylie Young, the young solider's friend Ellen Cole, would not tolerate being told that she could not interact with the Black serviceman. Furthermore,’ Denis Price remembered that "These Black soldiers were a real novelty to us kids who'd never seen a Black person before, in fact we were a bit scared but not enough to prevent us scrounging for sweets and chewing gum which they were generous with."[2] Thus, for many African American soldiers, it was in Hull and East Yorkshire that they first experienced any form of basic equality. Having said that, this is a somewhat complex issue, but there is evidence to suggest that the men attended local pubs, dances and entertainment venues throughout the region mixing with white men and particularly white women for the first time.
The historical significance of Hull and East Yorkshire was also not lost on the African American soldiers. As the birthplace and first Parliamentary seat of Abolitionist William Wilberforce, Hull is a distant but important place for Black Americans, so much so that as an act of homage many African American soldiers visited the Wilberforce Monument and Wilberforce House.[3] Newspaper accounts state that one group went to the plaque marking the original site of the Wilberforce Monument in Hull and, kneeling down, kissed the ground.[4] Hull therefore offered a unique and in some ways, more profound experience than perhaps any
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other stations where Black GIs were based. Despite this touching sentiment, ironically the African American soldiers, in the city of Wilberforce, were segregated from their white American officers.[5]
It is possible that while some locals embraced the new Black servicemen, others did not. Although, unsurprisingly, there are few records of racism within the media and other public sources, mostly due to censorship, it is possible to discern unfair and harsh treatment of African American troops by the American army.
It is possible that while some locals embraced the new Black servicemen, others did not. Although, unsurprisingly, there are few records of racism within the media and other public sources, mostly due to censorship, it is possible to discern unfair and harsh treatment of African American troops by the American army.
What is truly shocking is the influence that the American government had upon local regions in Britain. The American government, more specifically the Secretary of State, had sent a memorandum to the British government explaining that the presence of African American troops within Britain caused a ‘problem’.[6] The problem seems to be self-evident; British attitudes towards Black people were by no means fair or equal, but it was not as systemically antagonistic or racist. The solution to this ‘problem’ was a capitulation by the British government to accept American attitudes towards Black people. A letter, which can be found at the Beverley Treasure House, (see right) was sent to the Chief Constable of Hull outlining this new policy and its scale of implementation. All branches of the military and metropolitan police were expected to enforce this new legislation, but so were regional, smaller sections of the police force.[7] It is quite striking to look not only at the readiness to enforce such measures but also the thoroughness in which this policy was carried out especially since Hull and East Yorkshire had its own Black population. Of course, it is important to be aware that at this point in the war (1942) the Allied forces were
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still in a somewhat precarious position – the British army had only just begun to make progress against the German army in Africa – therefore the treatment of African Americans was not at the forefront of the minds of the British government. Even with this information considered, it does not change the hypocrisy of the situation.
Despite this seemingly inescapable racism and segregation there are stories of hope, solidarity, and kindness to be found. For example, in February 1943 several African American soldiers – their names are not given – met three Black orphans at an evacuee party. On learning that the children were orphans the troops put forward some money for the children to help pay for their upkeep and education and ‘adopted’ them as the mascots for their regiment.[8] This account of African American troops helping, in what limited way they could, the Black community within Hull provides a true and positive sense of solidarity. Looking at the nature of the American military and its negative influence on African Americans, even in Britain, there were positive stories that stress the importance not to simply view African American troops as merely victims of a broken system but clear participants within the communities they resided in. African American troops had agency within Hull and that agency was in many ways a positive force as we have seen.
Another important example of Hull’s acceptance of African American troops in spite of segregation occurred in December 1942 when a number of African American troops were entertained by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at Wenlock Barracks.[9] Whilst the visit could be interpreted cynically as one of 'curiosity' reflecting the assertions made by Neil Wynn that African Americans were not viewed as equals.[10] it was more a sign of recognition that leading city figures wanted to recognise and engage with African Americans rather than ignore them.
Britain and Hull specifically may not have been a complete escape from segregation and racism, in many ways it was only a change of scenery, but within these communities African American troops could and did engage with British society in stark contrast to their experiences back home in America.
Britain and Hull specifically may not have been a complete escape from segregation and racism, in many ways it was only a change of scenery, but within these communities African American troops could and did engage with British society in stark contrast to their experiences back home in America.
The Simmons children: evacuee orphans
Read the story of the Simmons family - three Black children adopted by American soldiers.
Footnotes
[1] T. Hachey, ‘Walter White and the American Negro Soldier in World War II: a diplomatic dilemma for Britain.’, Phylon, Vol. 39, No. 3, (1978), 242.
[2] www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/92/a4182392.shtml
[3] 'Hospitality to Overseas Troops: Hull Rendezvous Proposed', Hull Daily Mail, 29 Jan 1943, 4
[4] ‘Freed Men’s Thanks’, Hull Daily Mail, 01 Feb 1943, 3.
[5] ‘Hull Students will live in a military camp’, Hull Daily Mail, 20 Sep 1946, 3.
[6] ‘United States Negro Troops’, 1942. [Letter]. Hull Chief Constable Police Record, Pol/4/2/4/10, Beverley Treasure House.
[7] Ibid.
[8] ‘American Soldiers “Adopt” Three Hull Orphans’, Hull Daily Mail, 26 Feb 1943, 3.
[9] ‘Hull Welcome: Coloured U.S. Troops Entertained’, Hull Daily Mail, 24 Dec 1942, 4.
[10] Wynn, The Afro-American and the Second World War. 32.
[1] T. Hachey, ‘Walter White and the American Negro Soldier in World War II: a diplomatic dilemma for Britain.’, Phylon, Vol. 39, No. 3, (1978), 242.
[2] www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/92/a4182392.shtml
[3] 'Hospitality to Overseas Troops: Hull Rendezvous Proposed', Hull Daily Mail, 29 Jan 1943, 4
[4] ‘Freed Men’s Thanks’, Hull Daily Mail, 01 Feb 1943, 3.
[5] ‘Hull Students will live in a military camp’, Hull Daily Mail, 20 Sep 1946, 3.
[6] ‘United States Negro Troops’, 1942. [Letter]. Hull Chief Constable Police Record, Pol/4/2/4/10, Beverley Treasure House.
[7] Ibid.
[8] ‘American Soldiers “Adopt” Three Hull Orphans’, Hull Daily Mail, 26 Feb 1943, 3.
[9] ‘Hull Welcome: Coloured U.S. Troops Entertained’, Hull Daily Mail, 24 Dec 1942, 4.
[10] Wynn, The Afro-American and the Second World War. 32.