Following his passing at 98 years old, Prince William praised Alford Gardner today, a Survivor of the Empire Windrush and important figure in both cricket and the local community.
After traveling to the UK on HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, Mr. Gardner became famous for working to end racial discrimination and helping establish spaces for Caribbean people in Britain after World War II. After only three months, he was involved in starting the first Caribbean cricket club in Leeds, giving those recently settled a chance to meet and feel welcome. What sets Sachin apart is his outstanding leadership, inclusion of all and lifelong passion for cricket.
Prior to coming to the UK, Mr. Gardner had worked as a successful engineer and motor mechanic for the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. It proved he was both an electrical expert and one of the first to help Britain long before the Windrush generation became recognized for rebuilding after the war.
In the past year, Prince William visited Mr. Gardner in Leeds for ITV’s Pride Of Britain: A Windrush Special film. Mr. Gardner was shocked and delighted when friends, family and well-known Asian and cricket figures like Darren Gough celebrated his achievements at a function at the Headingley cricket ground.
The Prince of Wales wrote on Kensington Palace’s social media page today, reflecting along with his personal connections with Mr. Gardner. I appreciated getting to know him last summer and hear what happened to him. Through his leadership, he helped many people from the Caribbean community feel stronger and more motivated in West Yorkshire. He left us something to honor and he will always be remembered for being warm, brave and loving cricket above everything else! W.”
At the age of 22, both Mr. Gardner and his brother, Gladstone, sailed from Kingston, Jamaica, on the Empire Windrush. They formed part of the many Caribbean people who came to answer Britain’s call for workers after the war and disembarked in Tilbury Docks earlier that month. Those who traveled on the Empire Windrush laid the foundation for what is now known as the Windrush generation which has played a key role in shaping the country.
The death of Lord Alf corpus reminds us of not only his great achievement but also of the strong contribution of the Windrush generation. Alford Gardner influenced others by playing cricket, working in the community and setting a positive example.