There was a very interesting programme on Channel Four tonight, presented by Ian Hislop - "Not Forgotten - Soldiers of Empire". It focussed on the experiences of Dominion soldiers fighting for Britain. It concentrated on four individuals: a soldier from India (which I missed); one from Ireland (perhaps that should have been a seperate programme); "Ducky" Norwest MM, a Cree "First Nations" Canadian who was a highly effective sniper before he was himself killed by a German sniper, and Stanley Stair, a Jamaican in the West Indies Regiment who lived to be 100. The Jamaicans, after being sent via Nova Scotia wearing summer uniforms, were only expected to do manual labour such as digging defences and transporting ammunition. The point was made that they were never allowed to prove themselves in combat which they had joined up for. On the other hand, at least it meant they suffered less casualties, though many died from illness or shelling. Hislop felt that, whatever our perspective now, they felt they should fight for Britain, and that they had a stake in what they were fighting for.
