I’m sure many of you will remember my series of articles on the dramatic history of Redhill, published in a previous version of the TGP newsletter in May – Nov 2001 (back copies available). So when I was asked to research Redhill’s place in Black History I jumped at the chance. It soon became apparent why we need a Black History month. The records are sparse and when it comes to placing real black lives in the historical record of this great town, almost impossible. However, I am now able to bring you stories of true heroism when Britain was at its greatest hour of need.
Not something we look forward to perhaps but many of us will have visited East Surrey Hospital. Have you ever wondered why it’s on Canada Road and Canada Drive? Why is the road opposite called Maple Road? Waiting for the bus outside All Saints Church, Merstham, why is the building behind called Canada Hall?
It’s difficult to imagine but in the 1940s Redhill was on the frontline during World War 2. Thrown out of Europe the United Kingdom stood alone. With the huge losses of men and materiel suffered at Dunkirk the government turned to its allies for support. Canada was one of the nations that came to Britain’s aid in its darkest hour.
Vast numbers of soldiers were billeted across the Redhill & Reigate area, there is even film of Canadian soldiers on exercise in the Redhill area[1].
Canadian Troops on exercise near Redhill, 1940
All volunteers, the Canadians were considered elite formations and suffered disproportionate casualties as a result. They served on D-Day, through the battle of Normandy and the liberation of France, Belgium & Netherlands.[2] Unlike the United States, the Canadian Army did not operate segregation and there were several thousand black soldiers among its ranks. One story among many is that of Welsford Daniels.
Welsford Daniels, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1920, joined the Reserve Army in 1939 and served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during the Second World War. Initially based in England he soon found himself in the thick of the fighting in Normandy and across north west Europe,
Welsford Daniels checking the transmissions from a radio in England
As a signalman Welsford often found himself operating alone across the chaos of the battlefield ensuring the division headquarters could stay in contact with the frontline troops. There was constant bombardment, close shaves with a downed German bomber and witnessing the roads littered with dead horses (the German army relied on horse drawn transport).[3]
As a black man, Welsford had to deal with widespread racial insensitivity but also curiosity. This included being asked to attend people’s houses at Christmas for good luck in Scotland. In Holland people openly stared at black soldiers. The locals involved Welsford and other black soldiers in the Christmas tradition of ‘Zwarte Piet’ (Black Peter, the Dutch inspiration for Santa Claus), with Daniels taking the role and distributing sweets to children. He remembers Dutch girls marvelling that no charcoal rubbed off from his hands. In his own words “You had to be broadminded to be receptive to it. In my case, I did not find it derogatory. As long as I brought good luck to them, why not?[4]”
Welsford died in 2012, aged 92. His recollections provide a vivid insight into the experience of black serviceman during the war. Rather wonderfully the Canadian Veterans association have recorded a numbers of interviews with Welsford and you can hear him describe his story in his own words http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/716:welsford-daniels/ and also video at https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/5812 . I’d encourage you to take the time to listen to this nearly forgotten history.
[1] Canadian troops & Matilda tanks, Redhill, August 1940. Imperial War Museum https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060033018
[2] Read more of Canadian contribution to the war effort and why there was a UK based Canadian veterans association. https://www.forces.net/news/marking-formal-end-canadian-veterans-association
[3] Welsey’s full story and interview https://www.pressreader.com/canada/ottawa-citizen/20121110/281479273685680
[4] http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/716:welsford-daniels/
