In October 1939 the Colonial Office stated that ‘British subjects… who are not of European descent are now eligible for emergency commissions in His Majesty’s Forces’.

War needs and the patriotism of those of African descent in England, the African continent and the Caribbean combined with the attraction of employment and adventure, resulted in over 12,000 West Indians and over 372,000 Africans contributing to the war effort.

The Support from the Empire in TWAM’s exhibition Stories of Service identified the roles these service men and women played and their specific contribution in Tyneside as foresters, community heroes, soldiers and seamen.

The image gallery below is made up of documentary photography from this exhibition, which was installed at Discovery Museum, Newcastle, from 18 June 2022 – 26 February 2023.

— Scroll the images below to see the exhibition —