THE ORIGINS

 

Founded in the City of London in 1735, the West India Committee is the oldest body representative of the Commonwealth. This Caribbean institution commenced life as a trade association during the infamous era of slavery, originally coming together to protest to King George II about Jamaican trading practices. The original members of WIC were the sugar merchants of London and the planters of the Caribbean whose interests were largely aligned with the pro-slavery movement that prevailed at the time. WIC came together at various points over the next few decades but did not become a permanent body until 18th January 1775 due to the prevailing political unrest in America upon which the Caribbean was dependent for supplies and regional commerce. The West India Committee's significant and influential role in promoting slavery during this era is documented through external sources and the organisation's archive and library collection, some of which can be found in our online archives. Any individual or organisation that would like to learn more about WIC's history can view our online resources or request a visit to the archive and library, a UNESCO inscribed Memory of the World collection. The Committee also campaigned for compensation for slave owners at the time of abolition, and did obtain compensation for its members. After the pro-slavery era of the organisation, the West India Committee was instrumental in instigating the British campaign to end slavery throughout the world through initiatives such as the policing of the African coastline by the Royal Navy and the offer of asylum to slaves from Spanish and Portuguese territories, driven by their aim to avoid being undercut by commercial competitors that continued to use slave labour. The West India Committee was responsible for many milestones in the commercial and social heritage of both the Caribbean and Britain. These include:

THE BOUNTY EXPEDITION  1787

The West India Committee’s Bounty expedition is one of the first examples of the use of British armed forces for humanitarian purposes. The West India Committee successfully petitioned King George III to commission the remarkable Captain Bligh to lead an expedition to the Pacific in order to introduce new food sources to the Caribbean as recommended by Sir Joseph Banks founder of the Horticultural Society. The mission resulted in the mutiny made famous by Hollywood’s Charles Laughton and latterly Marlon Brando. The Breadfruit was ultimately introduced by Bligh to the Caribbean and St. Helena by a subsequent expedition, whilst the Pitcairns were inhabited by the mutineers, including Fletcher Christian whose descendants remain there today. Meanwhile Bligh found time during his epic 3,600 mile voyage to ‘discover’ and map all 39 islands of Fiji whilst cast adrift in an open boat.

THE LONGEST SERVING POLICE FORCE IN THE WORLD

WIC founded the oldest continuously serving police force in the world in 1798, the Thames River Police. Their boats continue to patrol the London reaches of the river, operating out of Wapping. Various accounts of their bravery and the valuable contribution to the safety of London bear testimony to the importance of this institution. In 1839 it merged with the subsequently formed ‘Peelers’, creating London’s Metropolitan Police. Sadly, this important contribution made by West Indians and the West India Committee is long forgotten and is currently being used to improve the problematic relations between the police and the Caribbean community. Click here to learn more about the history of the Thames River Police.

 

 

LONDON'S FIRST PURPOSE BUILT DOCK 1802

The Committee founded the West India Dock Company that established London’s first purpose built dock, West India Quay, opened by William Pitt in 1802. At one mile in length, it was the largest brick building in the world and a testament to British engineering. It is now home to the Museum of London, Docklands with whom the West India Committee enjoys a close working relationship. The West India Dock Company that comprised members of WIC expanded and eventually took on the East India Docks, creating one of the most important assets in British global trade.

THE CITY

The West India Committee was active in British politics, at one time boasting over 45 Members of Parliament in its membership. Senior members of the Committee also worked closely with the City of London and its liveries on many levels, including the Jamaican, Sir William Beckford, twice Lord Mayor of London, whose monument in the Guildhall  (that includes a life size allegory of the Caribbean representing trade resting at his feet), is found beside that of his colleagues, friends and peers, William Pitt the Elder and his son. Beeston Long, Governor of the Bank of England and Alderman George Hibbert, Chairman of the West India Dock Company, were both former chairmen of the West India Committee, and were both founder patrons of the London Institute, with Hibbert also becoming founder of the RNLI. Other chairmen include Viscount Lascelles and the Caribbean’s elder statesman Sir Sonny Ramphal, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

THE ROYAL CHARTER

In 1904 the West India Committee was granted a Royal Charter by Edward VII in recognition of the importance of its work in providing for the welfare of the Caribbean and its peoples. The Royal family were particularly active in supporting the charity, Queen Mary and her daughter Viscountess Lascelles personally presiding over West India Committee knitting circles organised to provide warm clothing for the 16,000 West Indian Soldiers who fought in the Great War, and later the 10,000 men and women who took part in the Second World War on behalf of their ‘Noble King and Country’- Britain. In each world conflict the British West Indian Contingent Committee was administered by the West India Committee who addressed the needs of the British west India Regiments.

 

DISASTER RELIEF

Since the 18th century, disaster relief funds have been raised by the charity to address the annual hurricane seasons that often devastate the region. In the 1940’s and 50’s film and theatre nights were organised with contributors such as Noel Coward and Danny Kaye who, together with much of Fleet Street, joined Princess Margaret at one time raising over a quarter of a million pounds for the West India Committee’s disaster relief programs.

 

21st CENTURY TIMELINE

 

2012 - WIC orchestrates Prince Harry's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Caribbean

WIC orchestrated Prince Harry's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Caribbean.

2013 - WIC published in The House - Parliament's Magazine

WIC partners with The House, Parliament's Magazine, to produce the first 'Guide to The Overseas Territories of the Caribbean' supplement.

2014 - 2016 - The Caribbean's Great War project

The Caribbean’s Great War was a Heritage Lottery funded project that highlighted the involvement of the Caribbean and her people in WW1. A temporary exhibition was put on at the Museum of London Docklands which featured a Roll of Honour to the British West Indies Regiment. The exhibition was housed in the London, Sugar and Slavery gallery at the Museum of London Docklands and ran for one year due to popular demand. The launch event commemorated those who had served in the British West Indies Regiment. Click here to learn more about the Caribbean contribution to the First World War.

2015 - 2017 - The West India Committee's Metropolitan Police Bursary Scheme

Between the Autumn of 2015 and the Spring of 2017 WIC ran a Bursary Scheme in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the Garfield Weston Foundation, with the lead administrator of the programme being Charlie Wheeler, Senior Envoy at WIC. We are pleased to announce that of the six participants in the Bursary Scheme, five individuals went on to join the Metropolitan Police Service.

2015 - WIC facilitates Montserrat's Associate Membership of UNESCO

Thanks to WIC's efforts throughout the year, Montserrat joined UNESCO as an Associate Member on 3 November 2015. WIC secured an expedited admission, making Montserrat the 200th member of UNESCO.

2015 - WIC assists the National Museum of Montserrat

In response to an appeal for assistance from the National Museum of Montserrat, WIC secured funding from the Lindbury Trust to support a six month residential consultancy to develop its archiving and curating strategies through which a number of local youths were trained.

2016 - WIC's archive and library inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World collection

In 2016, WIC's archive and library was inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World collection. Link to UNESCO press release

2016 - WIC's official partnership with UNESCO begins

In 2016, WIC's official partnership (consultative status) with UNESCO was confirmed. As a consulting NGO to UNESCO, WIC specialises in advising on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and heritage.

2016 - WIC supports the Government of Anguilla London Office

In February 2016, Mrs Blondel Cluff (Chief Executive of the West India Committee) was appointed the Government of Anguilla's Representative to the UK and EU. Subsequently, the West India Committee supported Mrs Cluff in her role and the Government of Anguilla London Office is currently located within the charity's office premises. Many of WIC's staff were seconded to the Government of Anguilla London Office to assist with this important work, which included preparation for Brexit and the recovery from the worst hurricane on record, Hurricane Irma.

2016 - 2017 - West Indians: Forefathers of the Metropolitan Police

In October 2016, WIC began a Heritage Lottery funded project on the history of the Thames River Police. The exhibition opened on 13 October 2017 before closing on 14 January 2018.The exhibition held at the Museum of London, Dockland was opened by Dr Boyan Radoykov, head of the UNESCO Memory of the World programme, second only to a World Heritage Site.

2017 - WIC publishes a white paper on Anguilla and 'Brexit'

Please click on the image to view, download and print 'Anguilla & Brexit: Britain's forgotten EU border.' This white paper was produced by The West India Committee in partnership with the Government of Anguilla.

2017 - WIC publishes a white paper on Anguilla and Hurricane Irma

Please click on the image to view, download and print 'Anguilla & Hurricane Irma: Recovery, Resilience and Prosperity.' This white paper was produced by The West India Committee in partnership with the Government of Anguilla in the aftermath of the destruction of the hurricanes in 2017.

2017 - WIC raises almost £300,000 for Anguilla's recover from Hurricane Irma

WIC was designated as one of the official charities to receive public donations following the destruction of Hurricane Irma on Anguilla in September 2017. From numerous sources, WIC was able to raise EC$1,075,140, which is close to £300,000. These funds are reserved specifically for Anguilla's recovery and rebuilding effort. Thank you to all those who donated.

2017 - WIC's Chief Executive presents at International Development Select Committee

In October 2017, WIC's Chief Executive, Mrs Blondel Cluff, presented at the International Development Select Committee on the UK's response to Hurricane Irma, on behalf of the Government of Anguilla.

2017 - WIC's work is cited at the United Nations

In November 2017, Mrs Blondel Cluff and Mr Charlie Wheeler joined the Government of Anguilla delegation at a CARICOM-UN High Level Pledging Conference at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, organised in the aftermath of the hurricanes of 2017. WIC's white paper on Hurricane Irma was accepted and cited by the UN.

2018 - WIC's Chief Executive awarded a CBE

In 2018, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II awarded Mrs Blondel Cluff a CBE for services to Numismatic Design and the Caribbean community in the UK and Abroad.

2018 - WIC staff present evidence at Foreign Affairs Select Committee

In January 2018, on behalf of the Government of Anguilla, WIC staff took part in the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the subject of the UK's response to the hurricanes of 2017 in its Overseas Territories. Mrs Blondel Cluff CBE and Mr Charlie Wheeler presented evidence in their capacity as WIC and the Government of Anguilla London Office. WIC trainees were in attendance and gained invaluable experience of the parliamentary process.

2018 - WIC’s Chief Executive travels to Caribbean to assess hurricane recovery

In February 2018, Mrs Blondel Cluff CBE traveled to Antigua to advise on various heritage matters, and to Anguilla, to assess the progress of the Hurricane Irma recovery. This included multiple meetings with the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda and the Premier of Anguilla.

 

 

2018 - Work begins on building Anguilla's only maternity wing

In April 2018, work began to build Anguilla's only maternity wing, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma. This project was funded by generous donations to WIC's hurricane recovery fund.

2018 - WIC visits 10 Downing Street for meetings

In May 2018, WIC visited 10 Downing Street for meetings on various topics, including the ongoing Windrush Scandal and the Race Disparity Audit report published in October 2017.

2018 - WIC attends 10 Downing Street reception for Windrush Day

In June 2018, Mrs Blondel Cluff CBE and Mr Charlie Wheeler attended 10 Downing Street for a 'Windrush Day' reception, hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May. This new annual celebration was created in response to the the growing Windrush Scandal.

2018 - WIC hosts the Governors-General of Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis

In June 2018, WIC hosted the Governors-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, which included a tour of relevant material in WIC's archive and library.

2018 - WIC becomes secretariat of Anguilla's APPG

In July 2018, as the appointed secretariat, WIC facilitated the inaugural meeting of Anguilla's newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the Houses of Parliament, chaired by Mike Gapes MP.

2018 - WIC submits evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee

In July 2018, the Foreign Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into the 'Future of the UK Overseas Territories.' WIC provided written evidence, as well providing briefing papers to the Premier of Anguilla for his evidence session in December 2018. The Foreign Affairs Committee went on to publish a concluding report, with WIC's work being cited numerous times.

2018 - WIC's Chief Executive is interviewed on Channel 4 News

In November 2018, WIC's Chief Executive, Mrs Blondel Cluff CBE, was invited to be interviewed on Channel 4 News regarding the impact of Brexit on Anguilla.

2018 - WIC travels to Antigua to host WW1 lectures and meetings

In November 2018, a WIC delegation consisting of Mrs Blondel Cluff CBE and Mr Charlie Wheeler, traveled to Antigua to host a series of WW1 lectures and meetings, at the request of the Governor-General. Full details of the trip can be found in the Twitter tweets below: War Veteran's Association. Exhibition at Government House. Lectures at Government House. Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force 1. Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force 2. Reception at Government House 1. Reception at Government House 2. National Museum.

 

2018 - WIC travels to Anguilla for meetings

2018 - WIC facilitates Professor Vernon Bogdanor's visit to Anguilla

In December 2018, WIC facilitated Professor Vernon Bogdanor's visit to Anguilla, to provide advise on their constitutional reform work. Professor Bogdanor is a world leading constitutional expert.

2019 - WIC meets with High Commission of Jamaica to discuss future collaboration

In March 2019, WIC met with HE Seth George Ramocan at the Jamaican High Commission to discuss the charity's previous work with Jamaica and future collaboration. Link to visit 1. Link to visit 2.

 

2019 - Tottenham Hotspur Foundation programme in Anguilla begins

 

 

2019 - WIC invited to join the Windrush Stakeholder Advisory Group

WIC continues to advise on the Windrush debacle and joins the Windrush Stakeholder Advisory Group. Link

2019 - WIC presents at the Canal Museum on its Thames River Police project

WIC's Research & Training Manager, Mr David Wells, presents the charity's Thames River Police project at the Canal Museum.

2019 - WIC collects its UNESCO Memory of the World certificate of inscription

After a busy three years since official inscription, WIC finally collects its UNESCO Memory of the World certificate during a meeting with Dr Boyan Radoykov, Head of the programme.

2019 - WIC publishes and distributes 'Anguilla: Get ready for Brexit' paper

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