Black soldiers in the BSF seem to be rather thin on the ground – in fact I only know of one: Charles Bailey of 9/King’s Own. I first gave Charlie a mention last year, but am happy to mention him again in case you missed the fascinating website in which he features: Charlie Bailey’s War – The story of WW1 soldier Charles Bailey a Welsh miner of West Indian origin plus some of the men he served with.
As well as giving a biography of Charlie and details of his army service – which includes a hair-raising list of misdemeanours – there is much about others in the Battalion, its service in Macedonia and its time at Seaford Camp with 22nd Division, which is where the story of Charlie started.
Did any other black Britons serve with the BSF?
Find out more
- Seaford Museum
- King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum
- King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) in the First World War
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Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 