Britain's Black Regiments: Fighting for Empire and Equality

By Barry Renfrew

In three global conflicts and countless colonial campaigns, tens of thousands of black West Indian soldiers fought and died for Britain, first as slaves and then as volunteers. These all but forgotten regiments were unique because they were part of the British Army rather than colonial formations. All were stepchild units, despised by an army that was loath to number black soldiers in its ranks and yet unable to do without them; their courage, endurance and loyalty were repaid with bigotry and abuse.

In Britain’s Black Regiments, Barry Renfrew shines a light on the experiences of these overlooked soldiers who had travelled thousands of miles to serve the empire but were denied recognition in their lifetimes. From British campaigns in the Caribbean to the Second World War, this is a saga of war, bondage, hardship, mutiny, forlorn outposts and remarkable fortitude.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780750995894

Barry Renfrew

A foreign correspondent, Barry Renfrew has covered wars in Afghanistan, Africa and the former Soviet Union during 30 years of reporting on political upheaval across the globe. On two occasions he was caught in bombing raids. His reporting won a number of major journalism awards, including The Associated Press Top Reporting Award; he was twice a finalist for The Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. In addition to extensive experience as a war and defence correspondent, Renfrew has a life-long interest in British colonial military history. Previous publications include: Forgotten Regiments and Wings of Empire.