Windrush & Clinton Visit Real Lives Reunited

Ordinary people.

-Look at that.

-Tsunami!

Extraordinary stories.

It was one of the most amazing days of my life.

It just felt like being part of a moment in history.

Bonds forged amid triumphs...

..and tragedies.

She came to help people, so, to me, she's an angel.

She's a great person.

It would mean an awful lot to me

to be able to say thank you to the fireman that saved me.

They shared a past, then faced a future apart.

I just hope I recognise him.

Brought together by fate.

It's going to be very emotional.

Separated by time.

# Rap 'er to bank, me canny lad. #

Real Lives Reunited.

In today's programme...

Goodbye, sunshine. Hello, rain.

'The Empire Windrush brings to Britain 500 Jamaicans,

'citizens of the British Empire coming to the mother country

'with good intent.'

The passengers who came to seek their fortunes.

We were made to understand that England was a rich place

where there was a lot of money to be made.

And the pioneers who helped to re-build Britain.

Remember England just after the war, everything was dull and grey.

And we came and, by the grace of God, England

and Britain has been rebuilt.

Plus, remember when the President popped in?

I didn't realise that it was going to be the most astonishing

day in my life.

How the Clintons helped unite a divided land.

The thing that I can say, on that day is the whole mood of the people,

you could see that they were filled with hope.

-To the Clintons.

-Cheers.

-The Clintons.

# Now, here's a story with a moral

# All you girls should pay some mind

# When you find a man worth keeping

# Be satisfied

# Make sure to treat him kind

# A good man is hard to find

# You should always get the other kind. #

Post-war Britain was short of money, short of food and short of labour.

The country needed urgent reconstruction,

so the government turned to an obvious source of workers.

Between 1939 and 1945, thousands of Caribbean men

and women joined the armed forces, displaying bravery and heroism.

Once the fighting was over, many, like Sam King,

were keen to find a home and a job in the UK.

Yes, I was in the war, fighting for king and country in 1944.

I wanted to stay but they said,

"No, you are from the country of Jamaica, you have to go back."

I was disappointed.

But that disappointment soon turned to hope.

By the summer of 1948, Britain was inviting

the people of the Caribbean to come and make new lives here.

It even supplied the transport,

an ex-troopship called the Empire Windrush.

Sam remembers getting the news that there was room on board.

About two weeks before the Windrush came to Jamaica, there was

an ad in The Daily Gleaner

that the troopship Empire Windrush would be leaving Jamaica for England,

and £28.10 and, "If you want to go, you must book now."

Immediately I went to Kingston on from Portland, the eastern part,

and booked my passage.

It was a high price for the potential passengers.

But for some, like Alford Gardner, it was definitely worth paying.

We were made to understand that England was a rich place where there

was a lot of money to be made,

that's the impression I got as a boy growing up.

Young, single men made up the bulk of passengers,

but families also signed up for the transatlantic journey.

Dorinda Hulton was only 18 months

when she boarded the ship with her parents.

My father was tempted to stay in Jamaica

because it was such an idyllic place to be,

but the reason he left in the first place is

he thought he'd rather be a civil engineer

sweeping the streets of London

than sweeping the streets of Kingston.

So I think the thing of finding something to do that would be able

to support a family.

The Windrush set sail on 24th May with 492 passengers on board.

They were cramped and uncomfortable but, above all, excited.

The living conditions were troop decks.

We were sleeping on the deck in a sleeping bag.

And luckily, the weather in the West Indies is normally good,

it was reasonable.

But we survived.

The main thing was to get to England.

Spirits remained high throughout the month-long journey,

with passengers making their own entertainment.

Peter Dielhenn worked as a baker on board the ship.

A lot of the passengers were all...didn't have much to do,

so they used to really enjoy a drink and a sing and a dance

and that sort of thing.

Some men were playing dominoes and cards, a bit of gambling,

all to bide their time.

I never gambled because, as a Christian,

you shouldn't go down that line.

They didn't have much money. In the end, some didn't have any money.

Coming out they had to borrow it from their friends.

There were no problems, it's all right.

I enjoyed it.

HE CHUCKLES

The thing is, I mean, I can enjoy myself anywhere, any time.

As the ship drew closer to docking, concern in Britain began to grow.

Newspapers questioned

whether the country could cope with a sudden influx of immigrants.

Debates were held in Parliament.

News soon reached those on board.

Just before we came up the Thames, when the West Indians got wind of...

..what was going on, commentators were probably saying

that the ship may be turned back.

In the event, there were no obstacles to the ship,

and on 22nd June, it was allowed to dock at Tilbury.

'The Empire Windrush brings to Britain 500 Jamaicans,

'citizens of the British Empire coming to the mother country

'with good intent.'

The West Indians who disembarked that day

were at the start of a journey that would not only

change their lives but British society as a whole.

Over the next few decades, more than 300,000 of their compatriots

would follow those first Windrush passengers across the Atlantic.

# Years ago in Britain people could not meet

# A coloured person upon the street

# English people were surprised to see an African

# Or even a West Indian

# It's not amazing again for anyone

# Since this great invasion is on

# With all the happy climates they're displeased

# They're making race from the colonies. #

But how have some of those earliest pioneers fared

in the six and a half decades since their ship docked?

Alford moved to Leeds, where he had a long,

successful engineering career, met an English girl

and became a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Dorinda also married

and is now a research fellow at Exeter University.

Sam King went on to become the first black mayor of Southwark.

Today the three members of this very special historical club

are reuniting at the Jamaica High Commission...

..along with former Windrush crewman Peter.

-Hello, sir.

-Peter, it's nice to see you, man.

-Yeah, and you.

You almost look like when we were on the Windrush

but your head is white and my head is white.

How do you do? How do you do?

Hello, my brother!

I haven't seen you for a long time. You're looking well.

A very long time.

Although the others made the journey as adults,

Dorinda was just 18 months old when the ship set sail.

-Hello, my dear!

-How do you do?

She has no memories of the voyage

and is looking forward to finding out all about it from the men.

Pleased to meet you.

I was on the Windrush and I remember a little girl, a little baby.

I heard the little baby making noise.

It's a bit unusual, but in those occasions there was a cry or

a noise, going, "Argh, wah!"

SHE LAUGHS Little thing like that.

And do you think that little baby could have been me?

Could be you because there was only another little child running around.

-My father has written a journal, a book.

-Very good.

-Yes.

I'm very, very keen to hear your memories.

My father remembers that there was engine trouble in his journal.

-Yes. We went to Bermuda.

-Yes.

-We got there with engine trouble,

so while they're doing the engine,

-we were able to land in Bermuda.

-Yes.

Practically every trip I was on the Empire Windrush,

was probably eight times, there was a fire.

-Oh!

-So it was always catching fire.

In fact, eventually the Empire Windrush

sunk in the Mediterranean from the fire.

So is it still down there?

-ALL:

-Yes.

-1953.

It's wonderful to think how all four of us

might've passed each other on the ship

and here we all are now, so many years later.

And I'd very much like to ask you how life has treated you,

whether coming to England has been everything you hoped for.

The Right Honourable Creech Jones stood up in Parliament and said,

-"These people volunteered during the war..."

-Yeah.

"..and they'd fight for king and country.

"They have got a British Passport.

"Will you go to Tilbury or anywhere and stop them?"

So we landed and it was a blessing.

Yeah. Yeah, it was.

In my case, I came back to England hoping that my children...

-I didn't have a girlfriend, by the way.

-No.

-..would have a better chance in life than I did, and they did.

-OK.

-I have eight kids.

-Wow.

THEY LAUGH

I came over here with a five-year plan.

But five years turned into 50-odd years.

I have no regrets. No regrets.

Coming up, a return to where it all began.

Feel very emotional coming back...

..to Tilbury.

And a special thanks from a special guest.

I really want to thank you all and just say,

I suppose it is because of you all why I am here now

as the High Commissioner.

THEY LAUGH

MUSIC: Waterfalls by TLC

THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD

As the first baby-boomer president, Bill Clinton was very

different to those immediately before him.

Let's put this country back on the right footing.

Not since JFK had there been such a charismatic,

effortlessly cool politician in the White House.

Or on the stage.

So, when a stalled Northern Ireland peace process needed a serious

shot in the arm, he seemed just the man to fly over and save it.

# Don't stop thinking about tomorrow

# Don't stop, it'll soon be here... #

On 30th November 1995,

Air Force One landed just outside Belfast with the US

President and First Lady on board.

'At 9:20, Bill Clinton stepped into the history books

'when he set foot on the airport apron

'and became the first serving US President

'to visit Northern Ireland.'

Everyone seemed caught up in the preparations,

including Carita Kerr, then the Mayoress of Londonderry.

You just got more and more excited thinking about it

and it was just absolutely phenomenal when it happened,

when the day came.

In a place well used to tight safety measures,

security was taken to a whole new level by a Secret Service lock-down.

So, when the President's motorcade made an impromptu stop

in nationalist West Belfast, all were caught totally unawares.

Except local travel agent Gerry Hagan.

His camcorder was rolling

when he captured what would become a worldwide exclusive.

When the limousine did come round and the President got out,

I was running the camcorder.

Gerry Adams come out and walked over to the President

and they shook hands.

The handshake became global news,

and Gerry Hagan's footage was soon broadcast all over the world.

I'm glad I was there, I'm glad I took it.

If I hadn't have been there, the question would have been asked,

"Did he shake hands or did he not?"

# And I feel like I just got home

# And I feel... #

As the President widened his social circle, so did Mrs Clinton.

Hillary dropped in on a local women's group for a cuppa,

a small and intimate gathering...

if you didn't count all the photographers.

When she arrived, it was just click-click-click-click-click,

cos there were invited press there.

We stood up, probably rather noisily and clumsily,

and she just come in,

a wave of calm,

and told us all to sit down and just said,

"I'm dying for a cup of tea."

And that sort of calmed us all down because we could sit down

and sort of compose ourselves.

For Laura, the tea-time chat had a truly historic significance.

After the tea was served

and the First Lady started to ask some questions

to engage in discussion around their experiences,

their aspirations for the future,

their aspirations for the peace process

but very, very particularly, she was interested in their thoughts

as mothers and hopes and dreams for the youth

of Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.

And I know that, for every one of you who sits here at the table

with me, there are hundreds

and thousands of other women who could be here as well.

And I want to convey my personal appreciation to all of them.

# If you believed they put a man on the moon... #

Tea and biscuits finished, there was work to be done

and speeches to be made.

When the President visited a local factory,

it fell to shop steward Ronnie Lewis to introduce him on stage.

I felt, first of all, am I capable of doing this?

Everything goes through your head.

But then the positive side of it kicks in.

It's saying, "Right, this is something worthwhile doing.

"I'm going to do it."

I'd like to say good morning, Mr President

and all distinguished guests.

This is truly a great occasion for our economy, West Belfast

and Northern Ireland in general.

I hope today that this will usher in a new era.

The world's most powerful man rose to his feet to thank Ronnie

but he was just glad his 15 minutes of fame were over.

After the speech, the first person I met was one of my workmates,

and he said, "That was a terrible speech."

I looked at him...

I was actually congratulating myself, I'd done all right, you know.

And he said, "I'm only joking, it was dead on."

The first leg of the tour was over but the visit wasn't.

The Clintons' next stop was Derry.

When the Presidential chopper touched down, the reception

was - if anything - even bigger.

CROWD CHEERS AND WHISTLES

So big, the local dignitaries were caught by surprise.

I didn't realise it was going to be the most astonishing day in my life.

The most...

amazing thing to happen in any small town.

The Clintons were to give a speech in the town's central square,

where they were greeted like rock stars.

The crowd just erupted and all you could hear was, "We want Bill!

"We want Bill!"

-THEY CHANT:

-We want Bill. We want Bill. We want Bill.

And then, when he started speaking to us,

it really went straight to the heart.

Have the patience to work for a just and lasting peace.

Reach for it.

The further shore of that peace is within your reach.

Thank you.

And God bless you all.

They were enraptured. They were just...

They just believed every word he said,

and it was the most wonderful moment in my life.

It was absolutely terrific.

Nearly 20 years on, four people with special

memories of the visit are meeting in Belfast city centre.

The venue - the Europa, which, during the Troubles,

had a reputation as the most bombed hotel in Europe.

In 1995, the Clintons stayed here.

-Hello.

-Hello. How are you?

-You're Gerry, is that right?

-I am indeed. And you are?

-I'm Carita.

-I've heard all the names but we've never met one another.

-Exactly.

-We're all pieces of the same jigsaw.

-Exactly.

Carita has brought along a photograph of the memorable day.

We had the great pleasure of being at the airport that morning

to meet Clinton arriving.

And what was it like? What was the emotions going through your mind?

The doors opened and I looked at these two people standing.

And I just grabbed my husband's arm and said,

"John, this is the most powerful man in the world.

"What are we going to do now?"

For Ronnie, introducing the President on stage turned him

into something of a global celebrity.

It was amazing, the letters I got from around the world

and the media interest,

they wanted reviews for the Los Angeles Times

and the New York Times.

He even made it onto the Clintons' Christmas list.

I didn't expect to receive any more word from them

but I got a beautiful letter.

Personal letter from the President.

And I also got this from the White House

at Christmas...

-It's just a wee...

-Ah!

That's gorgeous.

The thing that I can say,

on that day is that...just that the whole mood of the people,

you could see that they were filled with hope,

and they were anticipating what was going to happen.

I got a sense that day that there would be a legacy.

And of course, the Clintons continued to support obviously the peace

process but the wider community.

And the rest is history.

Many people from Northern Ireland got to meet the President

and First Lady that day, but one man got closer than most.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Martin Mulholland has worked at the Europa for 31 years.

He was the concierge when Mr and Mrs Clinton checked in.

There were only four members of staff who were given access to the

presidential suite, and I was lucky enough to be one of those.

And does the key still work?

Of course it does. In fact, we could go and check it now if you wish.

Love to. Love to, yeah.

The room has since been re-named The Clinton Suite

in honour of the former guests.

Was there the big red phone in here at the time?

The first thing I looked for when I came into the suite

was the big red phone,

and there was a telephone right in the middle of the room

with the presidential crest on it, but it was black.

-It was black?

-It was black, yes.

-Bliss.

-I tell you what, that suits you.

-Look at that.

I'm not getting up.

Do you feel like a president?

-No.

-THEY LAUGH

Ooh.

Bill and Hillary Clinton.

It was very special.

Makes you reflect on what a change the Clintons had on this country.

I can say now I've slept in the same bed as President Clinton.

It brought back so many memories.

It stirred up a lot of emotions and it feels like it was yesterday

and I can't believe that it's coming up to 20 years.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day and I loved every minute of it.

The Clintons' visit ended with the turning on of the Christmas lights.

In the years that followed, they would return again and again.

Who knows, next time it might even be with Hillary as president.

To the Clintons.

-Cheers.

-To the Clintons.

-Clintons.

When the Empire Windrush sailed into Tilbury docks

on 22nd June 1948, it was a watershed moment

in the history of modern Britain.

'..sees the arrival of more than 400 happy Jamaicans.

They've come to seek work in Britain

and are ready and willing to do any kind

of job that will help the motherland along the road to prosperity.

The passengers were pioneers who paved the way for

hundreds of thousands more West Indians to come here.

From that day, the ethnic

and cultural make-up of the country began to change.

Today, some of those on board

have reunited at the Jamaican High Commission in London.

BOTH: How do you do?

-I'm Dorinda.

-I'm Alford.

-Hi, Alford.

One was just 18 months old when she made the journey.

The group settle down to watch footage of the ship's arrival

and the passengers' first days in Britain.

FOOTAGE VOICEOVER: 'For many of those now setting foot

'on the mother country for the first time,

'excitement was tinged with uncertainty.

'While they looked for work, the government housed them in an old

'air raid shelter, underneath Clapham Common, in South London.'

It's the first time I've seen that footage.

-Yeah, me too.

-I've heard about this shelter but I'd never seen it.

-Were there many people in a shelter like that?

-No, 232, thereabouts.

Right.

'The first stop for most of the men in the shelter was the nearest

'labour exchange, Brixton.

'But none of the new arrivals had difficulty finding work.

'After suffering more than half a million casualties in the war,

'Britain was desperate for labour.'

Most Jamaicans left Jamaica to get a job.

Job is no problem, man,

-it's to find somewhere to live, and food is rationed.

-Yes.

Many families were living in the people's relatives' front rooms.

-Yes.

-And it was hard for accommodation.

I was very interested to see the shots of the men in the shelters.

I didn't know where they were. I thought they were somehow

in the hull of the ship.

Within a month, they were all out of the shelter

and just lived round and about Brixton.

-And that's how Brixton became Afro-Caribbean.

-Yes.

Today, more than half a million people in Britain class themselves

as Black-Caribbean.

For the Jamaican High Commissioner,

those first arrivals on the Windrush helped play a crucial role

in getting the country back on its feet in the 1940s.

I understand the importance

of the Windrush.

I understand that because Jamaicans

and other Caribbean people were invited to come to the UK.

Very, very important. I think that the growth and development

-of Britain as we know it...

-Oh, yeah.

..owes itself to a large

part the contribution of the Windrush generation...

Yeah, that's right.

..so, you know, I really want to thank you all

and just say, I suppose it is because of you all why

I am here now as the High Commissioner.

THEY LAUGH

But there's only one place today's journey can end.

That is the place where it all began...

Tilbury Docks.

The four are travelling downriver

to where their ship docked all those years ago.

I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what it is like

to what it was when we came.

I feel very emotional coming back...

..to Tilbury.

Things have changed immensely.

The group are boarding a ferry that will bring them into the docks,

just as the Windrush did.

Can you remember the first time you saw the shore?

Yes, it was very encouraging.

And did you feel British as you came down, or did you not think about...?

No, no, we're always British, man, because we were in the air forces.

-I volunteered when I was 18.

-Sure. So, as you came, you felt,

"I am British, this is my homeland"?

-Yeah.

-We would even be found with great pride.

Yes. Did you also feel that you belong?

We're back where we belong.

Tilbury has altered much since the Windrush days.

Old docks have closed and huge new container terminals have opened.

But some things don't change.

Look, there's the Union Jack over there.

-Used to fly over a quarter of the world...

-Yes.

..when I was a young man.

When we came off, none of these buildings were anything.

-Was all these colours here?

-No.

Remember England just after the war, everything was dull and grey.

And we came and, by the grace of God,

England and Britain has been re-built.

The reunion has awakened memories in everyone.

For Dorinda, it's filled in some crucial gaps about her

arrival in Britain as a young child.

The highlight of the whole experience has been

being with the three guys and hearing their stories.

I was very, very pleased to hear things about my family

that they remembered.

It's nice to stand here today

and be thankful that everything has gone well with me and my family.

And according to information from the other people that are here,

everything's gone well with them.

67 years since the Windrush landed...

..it's certainly become part of history,

and to think that myself and others have made this journey back,

it's quite fantastic.

Arriving back at Tilbury, back on the boat,

I felt that feeling that, yes, we were here and we came with hope.

I'll remember this day for a very long time.