West Indian troops stacking shells at Ypres, October 1917.© IWM (E(AUS) 2078)
[Cover] BWIR troops were engaged in numerous support roles on the Western Front, including digging trenches, building roads and gun and gun emplacements, acting as stretcher bearers, loading ships and trains, and working in ammunition dumps., acting as stretcher bearers, loading ships and trains, and working in ammunition dumps. This work was often carried out within range of German artillery and snipers. In July 1917, 13 men from the BWIR were killed by shell fire and aerial bombardment.
The official commemoration of Remembrance Day will take place in Dominica, at the War Memorial on Victoria Street, Roseau on Sunday 14th November 2021 at 8:00 a.m. according to an announcement from the Government Information Service.
The official commemoration of Remembrance Day will take place in Dominica, at the War Memorial on Victoria Street, Roseau on Sunday 14th November, 2021, at 8:00 a.m.
Government Information Service.
(Photo: Lennox honychurch)
1916 : The British West Indies Regiment in camp on the Albert – Amiens Road, September 1916
“It is anticipated that as many as possible of those who served in Her Majesty’s Forces and in the Nursing Service during the Wars (1914-1918) and (1939-1945) will be present at the ceremony. War medals and decorations should be worn with civilian dress by all ex-officers, ex-servicemen and women and members of the Nursing Service. Medals held by relatives of the fallen may be worn by such relatives on their right breast, the release said, adding, “Detachments of Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Red Cross, Girls Brigade and Youth Corps are expected to be present at the ceremony.”
Additionally, the Government Information Service says, that Ministers of Government, Members of the House of Assembly, Heads of Religious Denominations, Heads of Government Departments, Officers of the Diplomatic Corps, Consular Officers, Members of the Roseau City Council and other Local Government Authorities and the General Public are invited to attend the ceremony at the War Memorial; and to be punctual and in their places by 7:45 a.m.
All persons will be requested to observe two (2) minutes silence at 8:00 a.m. and all vehicular traffic and normal activities should be suspended during the period of silence.
Members of the Public who have taken up places on the Peebles Park or West Area are requested to remain there. Dignitaries should take their places within the enclosure on either side of the Saluting Base, (Ushers will assist).
Kindly note the Ministry of Health Covid-19 protocols will be observed, the release ends.
References and further reading
Domnitjen Magazine: Dominica�s Ex-Servicemen (November 2008) (2021). Available at: http://www.domnitjen.com/articles/people/xsvcmen/dominica-exservicemen.html (Accessed: 13 November 2021).
File:British West Indies Regiment Q 001202.jpg – Wikipedia (2021). Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:British_West_Indies_Regiment_Q_001202.jpg (Accessed: 12 November 2021).
Government Information Service – Dominica (2021) [Video] Government Notices- Friday November 12, 2021. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/GISDominica/videos/899191880707982/
Roll of Honour – Overseas – Dominica, Roseau (2021). Available at: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Overseas/dominica.html (Accessed: 8 November 2021).
The Story Of The British West Indies Regiment In The First World War (2021). Available at: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-story-of-the-british-west-indies-regiment-in-the-first-world-war (Accessed: 12 November 2021).
West Indies Regiment Officers Service Dress Cap Badge (2021). Available at: https://www.lesmartinmilitaria.co.uk/en-GB/commonwealth-badges/west-indies-regiment-officers-service-dress-cap-badge/prod_50611#.YY6-1L3P3xs (Accessed: 12 November 2021).
West India Regiments – Wikipedia (2021). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_India_Regiments (Accessed: 12 November 2021).
ALBERT WILLIAMS Reporting 
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