Professor Sir Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS

A NEW campaign has been launched to recover the anchor of HMT Empire Windrush for a national memorial.

The Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation announced plans on Windrush Day to recover the anchor of the famous vessel from the Mediterranean seabed – with the ambition of transforming the historic artefact into a permanent national memorial in London.

The proposed recovery operation forms part of a wider initiative to preserve and celebrate the legacy of the Windrush Generation through education, public engagement and cultural storytelling.

Sir Patrick Vernon, Chair of the Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation, said: “This project is about preserving an important part of British history for future generations. The anchor represents far more than a maritime artefact — it symbolises courage, hope, resilience and the contribution of the Windrush Generation to modern Britain.

“Through this memorial and education programme, we want future generations to better understand the legacy of Windrush and the communities that helped shape contemporary British society.”

Alongside the permanent memorial, the Foundation also plans to deliver a nationwide educational programme, community outreach initiatives and travelling exhibitions centred around the story and significance of the Empire Windrush.

HMT Empire Windrush occupies a defining place in modern British history following the arrival of Caribbean passengers at Tilbury Docks in 1948.

The ship has since become a powerful symbol of post-war migration, resilience and the enduring contribution of Caribbean communities to British society.

Windrush anchor plans

The Foundation is currently in discussions with government bodies, cultural institutions and community organisations regarding the memorial’s future location, with the preferred outcome being a permanent public display site in London.

As part of the initiative, the Foundation aims to raise approximately £2 million to support the anchor recovery operation, conservation work, installation of the memorial, and delivery of educational and community programmes, with donations welcomed via the campaign’s GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/monument-for-the-windrushgeneration.

The fundraising campaign will also support the creation of a replica anchor for outreach events, exhibitions and schools engagement activities across the UK.

Pre-Windrush the ship had a dark past: constructed and named the Monte Rosa in Germany in 1930, it was requisitioned by the German Navy at the outbreak of WW2.

In November 1942, the ship was used by the Nazis to deport 46 Norwegian Jews from Oslo to Denmark. From there, they were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where all but two were subsequently murdered.

Marie van der Zyl OBE, vice chair of the Windrush Memorial Anchor Foundation and former president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, added: “The story of Windrush is a remarkable one to understand the cultural make-up of the UK, and we also need to understand the story of the ship pre-Windrush.  This campaign aims to remember everyone involved in the ship’s history.”

Recovery project

The recovery project is being supported by shipwreck hunter David Mearns, a marine scientist and recovery expert with four decades of professional experience. His involvement will help guide the operational, environmental and conservation aspects of the proposed recovery mission.

The Foundation’s educational programme will include curriculum-aligned teaching resources, community workshops, digital storytelling projects and partnerships with schools, museums and cultural organisations nationwide.

The initiative is also supported by multi-award-winning journalist, author and film-maker Nadine White, who will lead public engagement and communications, alongside Rev Michael King, who is the son of the late Sam King MBE, who served in the RAF in WW2 and was a passenger on the Windrush and founder of Windrush Day

Public consultation on the memorial’s final location and design will be developed in partnership with the Windrush 100 Network to ensure the project reflects the values, history and experiences of the Windrush Generation and wider British public.

 The Windrush Board Game, designed to educate people of all ages about the history, experiences and contributions of the Windrush Generation, and was relaunched for Windrush Day.

Melvin Bell, Managing Director, Focus Games, who launched the board game in 2018, said: “For many years, Focus Games has had the privilege of working with Patrick Vernon on projects that use storytelling and shared learning to celebrate the experiences and contributions of the Windrush Generation.  Supporting the Windrush Anchor Project is a natural extension of that work, and we are delighted that sales of the Windrush Game can help support this important initiative while encouraging people to share, preserve and celebrate Windrush stories for future generations.”