Webinar series: The Forgotten Generations – Black British experience in the RAF from 1918
Funded webinar series from The Forgotten Generations | Lest We Forget Project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund
What does this series cover?
This series covers the sometimes hidden and controversial history of how the RAF has recruited and treated its black service personnel over time, particularly from the British Caribbean from 1918 onwards.
Using newly researched evidence from surviving black RAF veterans of the West Midlands it shows how their chequered experiences – including racial discrimination – reflect wider changes in modern Britain as it moved from empire to commonwealth, towards a diverse society shaped by patterns of migration and during which modern Black British identity emerged.
The webinar series complements publication of materials from the Heritage Lottery funded Lest We Forget Project, produced by The Forgotten Generations in partnership with the Historical Association.
-
What is the focus of each webinar?
The series consists of two webinars. We recommend watching live on the dates listed below. Recordings will also be available to booked delegates until the end of the term and made available on the website in due course.
Session 1: The Forgotten Generations: from the Royal Flying Corps to VE day
Thursday 12 November, 4pm–5pmThis webinar covers the sometimes hidden and controversial history of how the RAF recruited and treated its black service personnel, particularly those from the British Caribbean, between 1918 and 1945. Set against the backdrop of world war, imperial decline and racism it will show how their chequered experience paved the way for the postwar Windrush generation in Britain. The webinar makes use of the testimony of a surviving black RAF veteran of the Second World War.
Session 2: The Forgotten Generations: from the Windrush to Trump
Thursday 19 November, 4pm–5pmThis webinar covers the sometimes hidden and controversial history of how the RAF has recruited and treated its black service personnel over time, particularly those from the British Caribbean, from 1945 onwards. Weaving in the until now untold record of different black RAF veterans from the West Midlands, it will show how their varied experiences (which included racial discrimination) illustrate change in postwar Britain as it moved from empire to commonwealth, towards a diverse society shaped by patterns of migration and during which modern Black British identity emerged.
-
Who is the series for?
The webinars are for anyone with an interest in history. There may be particular interest for teachers working with Key Stages 2-4, with linked learning materials highlighted.
-
What are the learning outcomes?
This webinar series will enable you to:
- • Better understand the varied experience (which included racial discrimination) of black RAF veterans of the RAF over time
- • See how their experiences fit into wider changes in modern Britain as it moved from Empire to Commonwealth, towards a diverse society shaped by patterns of migration and during which modern Black British identity emerged.
-
Who is leading the series?
Andrew Wrenn, FHA is an experienced writer and teacher who completed the historical research for The Forgotten Generations Lest We Forget Project, funded in 2025-26 by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This included co-interviewing surviving black RAF veterans of the West Midlands whose stories had not been told in public before. He is a HA Teacher Fellow, Quality Mark Assessor and former Trustee, and was formerly local authority adviser for history. He has contributed to a number of HA publications, conferences and webinar series over the years.
-
What does it cost?
These webinars are free for anyone to access and have been funded by The Forgotten Generations Lest We Forget Project, with thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Did you know? Historical Association members can access exclusive free monthly subject knowledge webinars and recordings, plus a range of other benefits all year round. Find out more about membership.
-
How do I take part?
The webinars will take place online over Zoom. While we strongly recommend participating live, if you are unable to attend for any reason a recording link will be made available. This will be emailed to all registered participants to access for a limited period until the end of the term.
If you have missed a session, we will be making the recordings available on this page in due course.
For any enquiries, please contact events@history.org.uk. Please read the HA CPD terms and conditions before registering.