As 2014 approaches plans are being made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One on the 28 July 1914. The United Kingdom declared war on Germany on the 4th August 1914 after Germany invaded neutral Belgium. Focus within the United Kingdom has been placed upon +the part servicemen and women from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland played in this epic period of history. It should be remembered that Britain had an Empire, an Empire that went beyond the Dominions - Australia, Canada, South Africa, Newfoundland and New Zealand.
In 1912, the British West Indies were divided into eight colonies :-
Bahamas
Barbados
The Bahamas
British Guiana
British Honduras
Jamaica - The Turks and Caicos islands and the Cayman Islands were dependencies of Jamaica
Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands
- Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis - Anguilla a dependency of St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and The British Virgin Islands
The Federal Colony of the Windward Islands
- Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Even as a colony the islands of Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla played their part in this historic global struggle with men joining the Army, Navy and the fledgling Air Force. It should also be remembered that civilians played their part in the Merchant Navy supporting the war effort supplying food and other important supplies.
