Windrush Square to host unveiling of war memorial to black soldiers who fought for Britain

Jak and Eric in the recording studio
Jak and Eric in the recording studio. “I have a song” released as fundraiser for war memorial

Details, including an RAF fly-past, have been announced of the high-profile unveiling of the memorial to Black Commonwealth servicemen and women who fought in the first and second world wars which will take place in Brixton on Windrush Day, 22 June.

Jak Beula of the Nubian Jak Community Trust said: “I’m delighted that finally there will be a public unveiling of the memorial in Windrush Square. The plans, which have royal approval, are now being finalised, invitations have gone out and the line-up for the evening show is taking shape.”

The ceremony will take place outside the Black Cultural Archives from 2 to 4pm. An evening celebration with a star-studded cast is promised for 6pm. The event will have national significance, with politicians from the UK and the Commonwealth invited. After a bugle call, the memorial will be unveiled, followed by tribute speeches and a uniformed march past.

After the parade, a Remembering the Forgotten ceremony will honour those who participated in the wars and veterans and relatives of those who died will be honoured.

Beula said the ceremony would close with the lighting of a flame, school children singing a hymn and there would be an RAF fly-past.

Beula said: “Star of the evening concert will be international neo-soul godfather and RnB superstar Eric Roberson.

“Eric was kind enough to allow us to use his lyrics for our fundraising memorial CD I Have A Song, which was recorded in Brixton’s Raw Material studios. I’m thrilled he will travel from the US to attend.”

Invitations have gone to an all-star cast including Benjamin Zephaniah, Courtney Pine, Beverley Knight and a host of reggae, RnB and Grime artists as well as poets and theatre groups.

The groundbreaking public awareness single for the memorial I Have a Song is available to download from iTunes, Spotify or Amazon for 99p.

 

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