The Windrush generation

The Caribbean people who came to live and work in Britain after WW2

Name:

Date:

Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What was HMT Empire Windrush? A) A ship that brought passengers from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948 B) A British submarine in WW2 C) A famous airplane D) A type of train
Answer:
2
Where did HMT Empire Windrush dock when it arrived in England? A) Tilbury, Essex B) Liverpool C) Glasgow D) Belfast
Answer:
3
True or false? Many people on the Windrush came to Britain to help rebuild the country and fill job shortages after WW2. A) True B) False
Answer:
4
What was the name of the famous ship that arrived in Britain on 22 June 1948? A) HMT Empire Windrush B) RMS Titanic C) HMS Victory D) Mayflower
Answer:
5
Fill in the blank. HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury on ___ June 1948.
Answer:
6
Why are people who came to Britain from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1973 known as the 'Windrush generation'? A) They are named after the famous ship that arrived in 1948 B) They all lived on the River Wind C) They invented a new kind of bread D) They worked only on ships
Answer:
7
In which jobs did many Windrush arrivals work? A) Nurses, bus drivers and factory workers B) Only farm workers C) Only soldiers D) Only teachers
Answer:
8
Why is it not quite right to say the Windrush was the very first ship to bring Caribbean people to Britain? A) People from the Caribbean had lived in Britain for centuries before 1948 B) The Windrush never actually arrived in Britain C) The first ship was called the Titanic D) Caribbean people only started coming after 2000
Answer:
9
How have the Windrush generation and their descendants shaped modern Britain? A) Through work, culture, music, food and sport B) Only by writing one book C) By inventing the wheel D) By owning all of London's buildings
Answer:
10
What was the 'Windrush scandal' that came to public attention in 2018? A) Some Windrush arrivals were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants by the British government B) The Windrush ship was found at the bottom of the sea C) People claimed the Windrush never sailed D) A new ship called the Windrush was built
Answer:

Answer key

The Windrush generation · for parents and teachers

1
A ship that brought passengers from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948
HMT Empire Windrush was a passenger ship that brought hundreds of people from Caribbean countries to live and work in Britain.
2
Tilbury, Essex
The Windrush docked at Tilbury in Essex on 22 June 1948.
3
True
After WW2, Britain needed workers. People from Caribbean countries were invited to help rebuild the country and fill jobs in the NHS, transport and industry.
4
HMT Empire Windrush
HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948.
5
22
The ship arrived on 22 June 1948. This date is now celebrated each year as Windrush Day.
6
They are named after the famous ship that arrived in 1948
The Windrush generation is named after HMT Empire Windrush, the most famous arrival. Many more came in the years after.
7
Nurses, bus drivers and factory workers
Many Windrush arrivals worked in the new NHS, London Transport (as bus and train staff) and in factories. Their work helped rebuild the country.
8
People from the Caribbean had lived in Britain for centuries before 1948
Black communities had lived in Britain for hundreds of years before 1948. The Windrush is iconic because it became a symbol of post-war Caribbean migration.
9
Through work, culture, music, food and sport
The Windrush generation and their families have made huge contributions to British life, from the NHS to music genres like ska and reggae and events like the Notting Hill Carnival.
10
Some Windrush arrivals were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants by the British government
In 2018 it emerged that many people of the Windrush generation had been wrongly classed as illegal immigrants. Some lost jobs, homes or were even deported. The government apologised.