AUSAR SERVICES
We Shall Tell Their Story
(WeSTTS)
We shall tell their story gives an introduction of the contributions made by the Commonwealth Soldiers especially those from the Caribbean and African during World War 1.
WeSTTS was born from the frustrations felt by Sandra, expressed by members of the community as well as the apparent lack of awareness of their presence by many. About the lack of images, books, programmes etc The dismissive, briefly mentioned or down playing of the roles of the Caribbean and African soldiers in historian books, works even on battlefield tours has created mistrust and hurt.
Due to the horror of the war, many men did not talk about their experiences understandable so. Another aspect of the service men who served despite being treated as a second class citizen, discriminated against as well as segregation practice in some quarters did not deter the courage, resilience, bravery and determination of these men (WW1). Not only did they have to deal with the enemy across the no man's land but they also had to deal with the enemy from the same side that they stood along.
WeSTTS came from the reigniting the passion within the founder.In 2014 commemorating 100 yrs of WW1 and similar negative attitudes were being expressed of the dismissive of those from the commonwealth countries, especially the Caribbean and Africa.
However, this went beyond 2014, it went far back when Sandra was aged 10yrs old and in 1981 sitting in front of the TV with her family as they watched the Remembrance Parade. As a 10 yr old child she had already been made aware that she was different, coming from a family of mixed parentage, Mother English and Father Jamaican, racism rife, discrimination experienced in organisations and systems. Yet the love and support of the elders, ally's and trail blazers that did tell the stories that made the "minorities" feel that they were seen heard and validated as well as the exaggerated story telling with re-enforcing messages of being proud of who you are, history not told in schools gave Sandra the knowing that there should have been black and brown faces should have been part of the Remembrance parade.Sandra never recieved the answer as a 10yr old when she asked "Why are there no black or brown faces marching" but deep down she knew why.
As a 42yr old reservists , Who had attended her first Battlefield Tours to the Somme and Ypres was the final confirmation that the stories of the soldiers who gave service and in cases , their lives needed to be told.This is not about rewriting British history, its about redressing and those who was part of that story and never got to be acknowledged for their contribution.
This initiative is delivered in various formats including:
• Displays/Exhibitions/Stands •
• Community Engagements/Events •
• Bespoke programmes •
• Presentations/Talks
• Online
• Workshops •
• Educational Excursions •
Costings will be given on service bespoke package requested, please enquire for more information.
The Journy of WeSTTS has grown from a geunine interest in history, black history and sharing the knowledge gained. From the encouragement of many; family, military, voluntary and statutory organisations in which allies have formed and support unwavering.
WeSTTS has been able to reach so many members of the communities, organisations and has had the ability to brought people together, intergenerational engagement, difficult discussions, healing as well as stories being told. In doing so encouraging families to research if they had serving members.
Sandra discovered that a family member from her father's side served and died in WW1 who sailed from the shores of Jamaica and like so many, would have paid his way to head to England for training prior to heading to France. In 2018 Sandra and her niece was able to travel to Marseilles to pay their respects.
Pvt 7947 Syrenius Patterson
6th Battalion
West Indian Regiment (BWIR)
Died 14th May 1918
Buried in Mazargues War Cemetery, Marsellies.
