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Ship of hope: Windrush in pictures

75 years ago today, on 22 June, 1948, 492 Jamaicans disembarked from the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks. These indelible images capture their excitement, curiousity and joy as they stepped into an unknown new life in Britain

Thursday 22 June 2023 09:16 BST

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Empire Windrush arrives packed with West Indian immigrants at Tilbury Docks on the River Thames in Essex on 22 June 1948 (Alamy)

Passengers reading a newspaper whilst waiting to disembark from the ‘Empire Windrush’, having sailed from Jamaica — Passengers reading a newspaper whilst waiting to disembark from the ‘Empire Windrush’, having sailed from Jamaica (SSPL/Getty)

Mona Baptiste on The Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks — Mona Baptiste on The Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks (Mirrorpix/Getty)

Left to right: John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury — Left to right: John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury (Getty)

‘Empire Windrush’ arriving at Tilbury Docks — ‘Empire Windrush’ arriving at Tilbury Docks (Getty)

Jamaican immigrants arrive in Britain on 22 June 1948 — Jamaican immigrants arrive in Britain on 22 June 1948 (SSPL via Getty Images)

Looking a map of the Underground — Looking a map of the Underground (Getty)

Having a meal at a support centre for Black women in London — Having a meal at a support centre for Black women in London (Getty)

Jamaicans get their first look at Britain as they arrive on the Windrush at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948 — Jamaicans get their first look at Britain as they arrive on the Windrush at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948 (Alamy)

Heading to coaches, which were taking those without friends to shelters in Clapham, London — Heading to coaches, which were taking those without friends to shelters in Clapham, London (Alamy)

From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush — From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush (Getty)

A musician plucking his electric guitar near a pianist as their jazz band performs in London, 1948 — A musician plucking his electric guitar near a pianist as their jazz band performs in London, 1948 (Getty)

An employment exchange 120 feet below ground was constructed in Clapham Deep — An employment exchange 120 feet below ground was constructed in Clapham Deep (Topfoto/PA)

A group of young people enjoying activities at a recreation centre in London — A group of young people enjoying activities at a recreation centre in London (Getty)

Mr W 'William' Dickson, wearing a 'zoot suit' as he steps ashore after arriving onboard the Empire Windrush — Mr W 'William' Dickson, wearing a 'zoot suit' as he steps ashore after arriving onboard the Empire Windrush (Getty)

A group of men playing pool in London, 1948 — A group of men playing pool in London, 1948 (Getty)

In “Clapham Deep”, originally constructed as a deep air raid shelter it was used as a place for Widrush arrivals in the country — In “Clapham Deep”, originally constructed as a deep air raid shelter it was used as a place for Widrush arrivals in the country (Topfoto/PA)

A boy holding a piece of luggage gets off a ship followed by a girl and two women at an unspecified port in 1961 — A boy holding a piece of luggage gets off a ship followed by a girl and two women at an unspecified port in 1961 (Getty)

A group of women and children in a waiting room of an unspecified airport after getting off a plane coming from the Caribbean — A group of women and children in a waiting room of an unspecified airport after getting off a plane coming from the Caribbean (Getty)

A West Indian girl and a woman seen together in Britain, 25th May 1961 — A West Indian girl and a woman seen together in Britain, 25th May 1961 (Getty)

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