Black Poppies: The Story of Britain's Black Community in the First World War

Black people from around the world helped Britain fight in the First World War, with Walter Tull leading soldiers in bloody battles and Alhaji Grunshi firing the first shot. After the war, they continued to fight for equality and the freedom to celebrate being Black and British with pride.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

Black people from around the world played a significant role in Britain's victory in the First World War. Their heroic efforts on the battlefield and at home were essential in securing victory. However, even after the war, Black people continued to fight for equality, facing discrimination and prejudice. In this young readers edition of "Black Poppies," Stephen Bourne takes us on a journey to explore the many and extraordinary ways in which Black people helped Britain fight the First World War. We meet Stephens Aunty Esther, who tells us the story of Walter Tull, a Black soldier who led soldiers in some of history's bloodiest battles and died in the fighting just weeks before the conflict would end. We also hear the story of Alhaji Grunshi, an African who fired the first shot of the whole war. Back at home, Black men and women helped by entertaining the people, making materials like bullets and uniforms, and beginning the long fight for equality and the freedom to celebrate being Black and British with pride.

Weight: 222g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750999632