Unearthing Invisible Seafaring Histories of Empire
Cemetery Lodge, Cemetery Road, London, Greater London, E7 9DG
Asif Shakoor and The South East have been researching the connection between London's Royal Docks and seafarers from across the British Empire for a number of years. As part of his research Asif has uncovered the burial of dozens of south Asian seafarers in West Ham Cemetery in unmarked public graves.
This includes Abdul Rahman, who was buried on this same day 118 years ago previously. Abdul and many men like him died at the nearby Albert Dock Seamen's Hospital in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were then buried with no ceremony or family present, and without any markers or gravestones.
These men, referred to as 'lascars' were treated harshly on board ships and paid as little as one eighth of their European conterparts. Despite over 50,000 of these men working on board British ships in the early 20th century, their legacy is not well recorded - evidenced by their invisible presence in the cemetery.
Join us at West Ham Cemetery as we commeorate the legacy of these men through the unveiling of a plaque in their memory.
Timings & Tours
- Wednesday 17 September:
- 1100 - 1300
Location & directions
Cemetery Lodge, Cemetery Road, London, Greater London, E7 9DG
- Directions:
- We will meet at the entrance to the cemetery.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Please send an email to [email protected] to book on to this event.
- Booking contact name:
- James King
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 30
