User:RhianEIsaac/sandbox11

Alford Dalrymple Gardner (1926-) - Windrush pioneer and founding member of the Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club.

Biography

Gardner was born in 1926 in Kingston, Jamaica. He first came to the United Kingdom during WWII, returning to Jamaica after the conflict ended. After experiencing the lack of employment opportunities in his home country, Gardner secured a ticket for the Empire Windrush that brought him back to England. He established himself in Leeds, becoming an important figurehead in the community and raising the profile of the city.

Royal Air Force Career

At the age of 17 Gardner volunteered to help the war effort. He joined the Royal Air Force and arrived in the UK in 1944. He was an engineer and mechanic during WW2, based at RAF Hunmanby Moor, near Filey.

Impact in Leeds

Returned to England with his brother in 1948 on HMT Empire Windrush.[1] Windrush is remembered today for bringing one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom.[2] In the aftermath of WWII people were encouraged to come to Britain to bolster the workforce.[1] The UK faced a shortage of labour and needed 1.3 million additional workers to rebuild infrastructure.[3]

Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club important focal point for the West Indian community, particularly in the 1950s and 60s. It is the longest running black-led organisation in the city and the oldest of its type in the UK.

delivered numerous talks for children, students, community groups, national bodies and events

Interviewed by the BBC for the 2019 documentary, The Unwanted: The Secret Windrush Files.[1]

Awards and recognition

Gardner's story was central to the Jamaica Society Leeds 'For King, Country and Home' exhibition, curated by Susan Pitter. The exhibition explored the lives of Leeds' Caribbean WW2 veterans and was held at Leeds Central Library.

Recipient of the 2023 Pride of Britain Outstanding Contribution Award.

Recipient of the Leeds Award in recognition of his special and lasting contribution to the city of Leeds. His name is permanently on display in Leeds Civic Hall alongside others who who have made an enormous contribution to the city.

His portrait was one of ten commissioned by King Charles III to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush. Artist Chloe Cox painted Alford and his portrait was on display at Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Bristol from 25 May to 11 August 2024.

Bibliography

Finding Home: A Windrush Story by Alford Dalrymple Gardner and Howard Gardner (2023)

https://windrushfoundation.com/profiles/alford-gardner/