“Legacy, Unity, Peace, Strength, Memory, Remembrance, Recognition, Thanks.”
Inscription on the BAME Memorial Bench
Unveiled at the opening of the WW100 Centenary month in November 2018, this memorial teak bench commemorates the contribution and sacrifices of Wales’ Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities who lost their lives to conflicts in the name of Britain’s Empire and Commonwealth. The bench was sponsored by Welsh Government as the nation’s official recognition, for Armistice100, of their sacrifices and losses.
- 2024 WalesOnline Feature: ‘So important’ efforts to ensure the contributions of ethnic minorities in wars are never forgotten” Despite many of the sacrifices people from minority ethnic groups made in the war, lots of their stories have never been told and some never properly recognised
The event at which the bench was unveiled, the BHMW2018 Remembrance Service for BAME Servicemen & women, was the opening of the Temple80 / WW100 season of memorial activities, and was organised in partnership between WCIA and Race Council Cmru alongside Black History Wales and many community partners. A moving performance collaboration between Iffy Iwobi and Jon Berry, ‘ASSEMBLE‘, was composed for the occasion:
‘WW1 and WW2 claimed the lives of many thousands from across Britain’s former Empire, from African, Caribbean, Indian and Asian Nations, who fought in the UK’s name. Rarely visible in Remembrance, at this event the Welsh Government and Royal British legion will formally acknowledge and say ‘Thank You’ for the contribution, and losses, of Wales’ international communities – in Wales’ iconic memorial to WW1, the Temple of Peace. WCIA looks forward to welcoming family descendants of Welsh BAME service people, with a Minister from Welsh Government, to this memorial event led by Race Council Cymru / Black History Month.’
The BAME Memorial bench was a stepping stone towards the achievement and unveiling in 2019 of an official plaque at the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, opposite the Temple of Peace. We commend Peace Garden visitors to walk across King Edward Avenue to view it.
- 2019 BBC News Feature: “Black History: War memorial to black servicemen unveiled’
