The Black population in Britain increased again at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, as Black men travelled to this country to enlist in the army and navy. In come cases they travelled by desperate means. In May 1915, nine men from Barbados stowed away on the SS Danube in order to come to Britain and volunteer. When they were discovered on board ship, they were arrested and appeared at West Ham Police Court and were subjected to taunts from the magistrate.

The armed forces were not the only employment opportunity linked to the war effort. Recruitment for the front reduced the supply of labour in industrial areas and workers were needed to produce munitions and other military supplies.

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