Mary Rose sailors and Jacques Francis, a salvage diver of African descent.
Jacques Francis is acknowledged on both the Mary Rose and Southampton Stories websites.
Author and Abolitionist Olaudah Equiano recorded memories of docking at Spithead and staying on the Isle Of Wight, plus also returning to Portsmouth on board HMS Aetna.
Charles Cornell, and African American performer moved to Portsmouth.
The following article by Historian Jeffrey Green talks of his time in Portsmouth.
SS Mendi sank off the south coast. Bodies of members of the South African Native Labour Corps buried in Milton Cemetery.
An Imperial War Museum article describes how the Mendi sunk 19km south of St Catherine’s Point on the Isle Of Wight following a collision in thick fog.
This Historic England article, in addition to covering the tragic collision, also focuses on the reason why the men signed up, their role and how it is remembered in the present day both in the UK and South Africa.
L/Cpl Joseph Peterson served in the 15th Hants Regiment (WW1) and died of his wounds.
You can read more about Joseph Peterson – from his home-life to his military career – in this profile article on the Historycal Roots website.
Paratrooper Sergeant Sidney Cornell DCM died in Germany.
We hear of Sidney’s incredible bravery and courage under fire in this article, where it also states how he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal in 1945 for his actions during the Normandy Campaign.
This BBC article also tells how Sidney, the first black paratrooper to land in Normandy on D-Day, is credited with inspiring a character in the popular video game series Call Of Duty.
Jamaican footballer ‘Lindy’ Delapenha joins Portsmouth Football Club.
This article on the Portsmouth Football Club website celebrating International Men’s Day focuses on Lindy’s contribution at the club, while this tweet from the Black Soccer Academic focusses on his debut in front of over 44,000 fans at Fratton Park.
