Britain’s ‘brown babies’: The stories of children born to black GIs and white women in the Second World War

by Lucy Bland

This book recounts a little-known history of the estimated 2,000 babies born to black GIs and white British women in the second world war. The African-American press named these children ‘brown babies’; the British called them ‘half-castes’. Black GIs, in this segregated army, were forbidden to marry their white girl-friends. Nearly half of the children were given up to children’s homes but few were adopted, thought ‘too hard to place’. There has been minimal study of these children and the difficulties they faced, such as racism in a (then) very white Britain, lack of family or a clear identity. The book will present the stories of over fifty of these children, their stories contextualised in terms of government policy and attitudes of the time. Accessibly written, with stories both heart-breaking and uplifting, the book is illustrated throughout with photographs.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Grad School

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2019

About the author

Lucy Bland FRHistS is a British professor of social and cultural history at Anglia Ruskin University. Much of her work focuses on British sexological history.

Reviews

[Lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed-race histories have always been part of British society; from Equiano and Francis Barber, both of whom married white British women and brought up their mixed-race families, to the relationships of black American GIs in the Second World War. Yet while recent historical study and public consciousness has grown more aware of the histories of ethnic minorities and first-generation immigrant communities, the mixed-race generations that often followed them are often relegated to mere sentences in the history books, and are rarely afforded a study of their own.

The stories of Bland's 'Brown Babies' are therefore vital and timely, capturing a history still within living memory, before it slips away. Uncovering racist attitudes that remain present today, Bland reveals emotional stories of racism, everyday prejudice and discrimination, stories of joy and love, of care and cruelty, with a common narrative of the search for belonging.

While Bland's writing reveals the depth of her research into the extraordinary stories she shares, the book's thematic organisation serves to the detriment of the individual stories. A simple appendix with a few short sentences about each of the interviewees, would serve this purpose.

As Bland says, from written histories emerge a sense of belonging. For this reason, 'Brown Babies' is far more than academically important, but a socially vital work too.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, but three stars because of the organization. It was hard to follow individual stories because people would pop up in different chapters again and again. I think it may have been more effective telling each individual story and then doing a conclusion.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating slice of British history that I feel is little known or recognized. The stories were interesting — some sad, some hopeful …but the organization of the book was choppy and disorganized. It bounced around like a text book riddled with footnotes, notes, references and bibliography. It read like a text book for a class on what happened to the mixed race babies that came out of relationships African American soldiers had with British women toward the end of World War II. Racism does not only exist in the history of America.

[Mary Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Britain's 'brown babies' (a nomenclature of the time) focuses on a little known - and well hidden- aspect of Britain in the Second World War, of those children fathered by African American fathers and white, British women. Meticulously researched and sensitively handled, Britain’s Brown Babies not only makes a major contribution to the history of black people in Britain, but through it, shines a light on attitudes to illegitimacy and, in particular, race in the 1940s and 1950s – attitudes which are shockingly familiar to us still today.

[Cindy Grossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had first noticed this book when visiting family in Liverpool. It was displayed at their local library. I was curious. It is a well-researched study with not much narrative appeal. It was highly educational and so sad hearing so many of these children’s situations. I had to skim the last third to return it in time, but definitely had my eyes open.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book club listen that just couldn’t quite grab my attention. I had a really hard time following individual stories because it jumped around so much. The history was fascinating but it felt a bit repetitive at points

[Mrs Helen Pamment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book that I've wanted to read since attending an event where Lucy Bland talked about Britain's Brown Babies. Really enjoyed it but found it a little difficult to keep track as it jumps from one child to another's experience. Heart wrenching read that I'd recommend to others.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I can agree that the organization definitely didn’t make for a smooth read, but the writing and topic kept me easily turning the pages. So grateful to have learned about the experiences of these children.

[Will Lloyd-Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp and insightful history that showcases how to write for both a popular and an academic audience. Loved it and will be buying copies for friends.

[Christine Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok.. more history than individual stories which I would have preferred