Heritage Trust Honors 19 West Indian Soldiers
The British West India Regiments Heritage Trust recognized 19 West Indian soldiers buried in Seaford, East Sussex, and launched British West Indies Regiment Day with Lewisham Council.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military Jobs
The British West India Regiments Heritage Trust honored 19 West Indian soldiers who died during World War One and are buried in a Seaford, East Sussex graveyard. The Trust also launched British West Indies Regiment Day in partnership with Lewisham Council.
Why it matters
The soldiers died from illnesses or accidents associated with wartime conditions, including pneumonia, influenza, and mumps, and their graves are now the focus of formal recognition. The commemoration highlights the contribution of West Indian servicemen to the British war effort.
Records confirm 19 West Indian soldiers buried in Seaford, with a 1916 photograph showing nine West Indian servicemen attending local Ancient Order of Foresters meetings. The stub does not state the total number of West Indian soldiers who served in the region.
The players
British West India Regiments Heritage Trust
The Trust is an organization dedicated to preserving and recognizing the history of the British West India Regiments.
Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council is the local government authority for the London Borough of Lewisham, which partnered in launching Regiment Day.
Major General Karl Harris CBE
Major General Karl Harris is a senior British Army officer who served as guest speaker at the Lewisham launch.
Prince Albert Jacob
Prince Albert Jacob is a 101-year-old Second World War RAF veteran from Birmingham who attended the Lewisham launch.
The details
The 19 men died from illnesses or accidents linked to wartime conditions, including pneumonia, influenza, and mumps. The Trust honored them at a ceremony in Seaford, and a 1916 photograph shows nine West Indian servicemen welcomed to local Ancient Order of Foresters meetings.
Timeline
1916: Photograph of nine West Indian servicemen taken in Seaford.
October 26, 2026: British West Indies Regiment Day launched with Lewisham Council, marking the Regiment's 111th anniversary.
November 8, 2026: Remembrance Sunday approaches, with Seaford soldiers commemorated.
Historical Context
The British West India Regiments were raised in the Caribbean and served in the First World War, and this commemoration recognizes the individual soldiers who died while serving. The Regiment's 111th anniversary is marked by the new Regiment Day launched with Lewisham Council.
Those interested in attending Remembrance Sunday services can look for local commemorations in Seaford and Lewisham. The Regiment Day launch provides a scheduled focal point for future events honoring the Regiment's service.
The takeaway
The commemoration shows how individual service records can be recovered decades later to restore recognition for overlooked wartime sacrifices. Readers interested in military history can follow the Regiment's story through local heritage initiatives.
What happens next
Remembrance Sunday on November 8, 2026 is the next scheduled occasion for commemorating the Seaford soldiers.
Further reading
For related coverage of military service and careers, explore Military Jobs.
