Our top media picks for Remembrance Month

To mark Remembrance Month, we’ve put together a selection of books, films and other media that highlight the stories of Black service men and women in the First and Second World Wars. These resources provide unique insights into their experiences and help broaden the narrative of Britain’s wartime history.

Books

As Good as Any Man: Scotland’s Black Tommy – Morag Miller, Roy Laycock, John Sadler & Rosie Serdiville

A fascinating account of Arthur Roberts, a Black soldier from Scotland who served on the Western Front during the First World War, drawing on his diaries and letters to tell his story.

Black Tommies: British Soldiers of African Descent in the First World War (Kids Edition) – Stephen Bourne

An accessible edition for younger readers, exploring the lives of Black soldiers who served Britain in WWI, their challenges, and their bravery on the battlefield.

The West Indian Soldier: A Brief History of the British Army and the Caribbean

A concise history of Caribbean soldiers in the British Army, highlighting their service and the struggles they faced during the First and Second World Wars.

Black Poppies: Britain’s Black Community and the Great War – Stephen Bourne

Examines the lives and contributions of Britain’s Black communities during WWI, including servicemen, women, and civilians, shedding light on often overlooked stories.

Memoirs of a Black Englishman – Paul Stephenson and Lilleith Morrison

A personal memoir capturing the experiences of a Black Briton navigating life in Britain, with reflections on service, society, and resilience.

Film & Streaming

Hero: The Extraordinary Life of Mr Ulric Cross – BBC iPlayer

This movie tells the inspiring story of Caribbean war hero Ulric Cross, whose extraordinary life included both military service and significant contributions to civil society.

Blitz (2024) – Apple TV

A dramatized depiction of life on the Home Front during the Second World War, highlighting the bravery and resilience of those who kept Britain safe.

Churchill: Britain’s Secret Apartheid – Channel 4

A documentary exploring the racial inequalities faced by Black and colonial troops during both world wars, and the broader context of Britain’s imperial history.

Britain’s Secret War Babies – Channel 4

A moving exploration of the children born to Black servicemen and British women during WWII, and the challenges they faced in post-war Britain.

The Six Triple Eight – Netflix

Tells the story of the all-Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in WWII, highlighting the vital, yet often unrecognised, contributions of Black service personnel.

You can purchase any of the books listed in our IBHM Heritage shop which helps supports the IBHM-UK website and independent bookshops.

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.