After World War II, Britain faced severe destruction and a shortage of workers across sectors such as transport, postal services, and the NHS. To fill these gaps, Britain invited people from its colonies, notably the Caribbean, through the British Nationality Act of 1948, which allowed Commonwealth citizens to live and work in Britain with minimal documentation.
Caribbean education always emphasised the benefits of British citizenship, encouraging migration with expectations of welcome and opportunity. Many applicants sought to escape poverty, earn higher wages, and either return home after saving money or eventually bring their families to join them. This period has come to be known as the Windrush Generation.
One of these was a young Barbadian, Winston Belgrave, born on 3rd April 1935 in Hindsbury Road, St. Michael, Barbados, where he attended St Giles School and was also a chorister at St Michael’s Cathedral. After leaving school, he started work at the local bakery, and when he heard that reps from London Transport were seeking candidates for bus driver positions in the United Kingdom.
Winston attended the recruitment tent and was interviewed for a role. He successfully completed the medical and arithmetic assessments and, in June 1956, departed on the SS Hilary to England. Although he was unfamiliar with the other recruits, Winston’s sociable nature enabled him to establish connections promptly.
Arrives at Liverpool Docks
After arriving in Liverpool, the recruits took a train to Euston and then a bus to their new home on Basset Road in London. They shared rooms, three to each, in a big house owned by Amy Garvey, Marcus Garvey’s first wife, which London Transport had rented for them.
At the training centre in Chiswick, they learned about fares, routes, and how to use the ticket machines. Winston began working as a conductor in the autumn of 1956. His shift started at 5:30 in the morning, and he loved the job. Winston enjoyed meeting people and soon got to know the regular passengers on his bus. If someone left an umbrella or a handbag behind, he always made sure it was returned. He cared about his passengers, and they showed their appreciation by bringing him sweets and cakes.
By that time, Winston was renting a room in Tooting, southwest London, from his cousin and their family. When they moved to Canada, Winston got a mortgage from Wandsworth Council and bought the house. He still lives there today.
After passing his driving test in 1959, Winston became a bus driver at the Putney garage. For eleven years, he mostly drove the number 74 bus, which went up to Camden Town and passed by London Zoo.
In 1969, Winston applied to become an inspector. He remembers standing before a panel and answering every question correctly, but was told, “The time wasn’t right for black inspectors.” Winston didn’t let this stop him. A year later, he applied again and got the job.
London Transport staff could travel for free, and that’s how Winston met Viv. He remembers sitting next to a pretty woman on the bus. When the conductor came for tickets, Winston saw that she also had a London Transport pass, just like him. That gave him a reason to start talking to her. Viv, who is from Jamaica, was an off-duty conductress heading home after shopping.
They clicked right away, and Winston even missed his stop on purpose so he could keep talking to Viv. When she got off the bus, he carried her bags home. Soon after, they became a couple. Viv and Winston have been happily married for 49 years, raised a son, and now share their home with their 25-year-old grandson, who is a boxer and performer.
Winston worked at London Transport for 38 years and eventually became a controller. Viv left London Transport and joined British Telecom, starting at the telephone exchange. Like Winston, she worked her way up to the position of supervisor.
In 1992, London Transport offered voluntary redundancy, and Winston accepted, leaving with a lump sum and a pension. Soon after, British Telecom made a similar offer, and Viv took it too.
After leaving London Transport, Winston worked as a minibus driver for a local elders’ charity, picking people up from their homes and taking them to the centre. When he retired, he started volunteering for the charity and still helps out, even though he’s now older than many of the people he supports. On Mondays, he leads a devotion class and then calls out the bingo numbers. On Wednesdays, he runs the choir. He’s been helping for over 30 years.
At home, Winston enjoys gardening. He no longer goes for his long walks as mobility has become an issue as he grows older. A love for music
going for walks, and playing music—especially hymns—on his keyboard. He has a large record collection and loves listening to classic singers like Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves, and especially Matt Monro.
Winston just turned 90. His memory for dates and details is amazing. He believes that being sociable and outgoing has kept his mind sharp. When he said this, his grandson, who was there for the interview, looked up and said, “Everyone loves Winston.” It was hard to disagree.
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