Patrick Vernon

Cum By Yah – Honouring West Indian Soldiers of WWI

One of the ancestors I honour is my own great-uncle, Samuel Ruby. A few years ago, through family history research and my work in genealogy, I discovered that he had served in the British West Indies Regiment during the First World War. That discovery was more than a footnote in family history — it was a deeply emotional moment for me.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the honour of paying my respects to him during a commemorative trip to France and Belgium, organised by Paul Chambers and the British West Indies Regiment Foundation. The trip, called Cum By Yah, brought together descendants and community members to honour the sacrifice of the 15,600 West Indian soldiers who served — and the more than 1,500 who gave their lives.

Standing among those graves, reading those names — it connected me in a way that words can barely describe. Their courage and sacrifice are woven into the shared fabric of our history, and remembering them is both a duty and a privilege.

You can read more of my reflections on remembrance and my ongoing work preserving the history of veterans and ex-service personnel on the Black History Walks site:
🔗 World Wars and Black Soldiers – African Odysseys, BFI