Britons largely unaware of Black and Asian contribution to WW2 effort, research shows

The British public is largely unaware of the contribution made by soldiers from Commonwealth countries such as Jamaica and Kenya to the second world war, research has found, as campaigners say greater recognition of the diversity of those who fought against fascism will strengthen national unity.

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May, a FocalData poll for the thinktank British Future, which works to highlight integration, found “there is a strong public appetite” for greater awareness and teaching in schools of the diversity of the war effort – but a lack of knowledge about the contribution of Black and Asian personnel.

The research found 86% of respondents agreed “all those who thought for Britain in the world wars, regardless of where they came from” should be commemorated and 77% felt remembering the “shared wartime history” of British and Commonwealth troops could help build cohesion in today’s “multi-ethnic society”.

But only 24% of respondents were aware troops from Jamaica and Kenya fought for Britain, while only 34% were aware of Muslim soldiers’ contributions and only 43% knew about the service of Sikh personnel.

The findings of the poll, from a representative sample of 1079 adults, come as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) urges people to reflect on the “loss of so many from across the globe” this VE Day, which marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany.

Clarence Trimm, a Canadian soldier born to Guyanese parents, who was among Commonwealth soldiers killed in the liberation of Europe in the weeks before VE Day. Photograph: CWGC

Canadian soldier Pte Clarence Alvin Trimm, 21, born to Guyanese parents in Montreal, is among those CWGC is commemorating this year. He first tried to enlist at 15, growing a moustache to look older, and was fatally wounded in Germany just two weeks before VE Day, having taken part in the liberation of the Netherlands.

British Future describes the western allied forces as “remarkably diverse, including Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims from the 2.5 million-strong Indian army”, alongside 1 million personnel from Africa and tens of thousands from the Caribbean, with crucial involvement in significant battles, intelligence and medical aid.

Last month, 10 second world war veterans, including former UK, Indian and US personnel, urged the public, in an open letter released by the Together coalition, backed by public figures including former athlete and servicewoman Kelly Holmes and former chief scout and SAS trooper Bear Grylls, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the “danger of authoritarianism and fascism” and “how it took all of us coming together across classes, religions, races and nations to prevail”.

Before a 7 May webinar on the importance of remembering second world war Commonwealth troops, British Future director, Sunder Katwala, said: “Getting that right can help broaden our national story and forge a more shared sense of identity.

“We should step up efforts to raise awareness ... Nearly half of us (45%) don’t know about the Indian army’s role in WW2, when we’re talking about 2.5 million (people). Moments like VE Day 80 are an opportunity for their stories to be heard.”

The Department for Communities and the Department for Education have been approached for comment.