Young people document war veterans experience

Young people from Haringey, London interviewed African Caribbean war veterans, ex service men and women from various war struggles to hear and document their experiences. (Pictured: Bill Guy who served in the US Navy).

Veterans from WW2, Mau Mau, Burma, Falklands, Bosnia and Iraq, were filmed as they spoke about their  experiences at war for the 'Speaking Out and Standing Firm' programme developed by Every Generation in partnership with Haringey Library Services.

Young people from Alexandra Park School in Haringey and Marcus Garvey Library Teenage Reading Group were given brief support sessions to learn about film making and interviewing techniques when engaging with the Seven men and women veterans who took part.

Patrick Vernon, director of Every Generation, said: “This is a great initiative for young people to learn about the contributions made by African Caribbean war veterans. Little is known about the men and women who joined the war efforts in Britain and this project brings their stories to future generations.”

He continued, “In the summer of 2011 a feature documentary will be launched supported by a campaign that will explore in detail the Black contribution to the armed forces from the Battle of Waterloo up to present day.”

The Speaking Out and Standing Firm programme took place at Marcus Garvey Library in Haringey. Following the success of the project a booklet and short film was launched on Remembrance Sunday at the Marcus Garvey Library in Tottenham.

The project was inspired by the successful documentary ‘A Charmed Life’ on the life of Eddie Martin Noble who volunteered with the RAF during WW2.