Hidden Holocaust link to Empire Windrush to be commemorated in new memorial project
Anchor recovery campaign will highlight Nazi deportation of 46 Norwegian Jews to Auschwitz
A campaign to recover the anchor of the Empire Windrush from the Mediterranean seabed will also preserve the memory of dozens of Jewish Holocaust victims connected to the ship’s little-known wartime past.
The Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation has launched plans to raise £2 million to recover the vessel’s anchor and transform it into a permanent public memorial, with organisers hoping it will eventually be displayed in London.
While the Empire Windrush is best known for bringing Caribbean passengers to Britain in 1948 and becoming a defining symbol of post-war migration, the ship’s history stretches back to Nazi Germany.
Built in 1930 as the Monte Rosa, the vessel was requisitioned by the German Navy during the Second World War. In November 1942, it was used to deport 46 Norwegian Jews from Oslo to Denmark. They were later sent to Auschwitz, where all but two were murdered.
Marie van der Zyl OBE, former president of the Board of Deputies and now vice-chair of the Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation, said the project would ensure all aspects of the ship’s history are remembered.
She said: “The story of Windrush is a remarkable one to understand the cultural make-up of the UK, and we also need to understand the story of the ship pre-Windrush. This campaign aims to remember everyone involved in the ship’s history.”
The foundation says the project will combine remembrance with education, community outreach and travelling exhibitions. A replica anchor is also planned for use at schools and public events across the UK.
Van der Zyl said the memorial could help strengthen understanding between communities through shared histories.
She said: “This memorial is about more than recovering an anchor from the seabed. It is about building bridges between communities through a deeper understanding of our shared and often little-known histories. The Windrush Generation helped transform modern Britain through courage, sacrifice and service. The Jewish community also understands the importance of preserving memory and confronting the consequences of hatred and exclusion.
“By telling the full story of this ship, from its connection to the deportation of 46 Norwegian Jews during the Holocaust, who were sent to Auschwitz, where all but two were subsequently murdered, to the hope, opportunity and contribution symbolised by Windrush, we create a powerful space for dialogue, education and solidarity.”
The recovery mission is being supported by marine scientist and shipwreck recovery expert David Mearns, who will advise on the operation and conservation of the artefact.
Sir Patrick Vernon, chair of the Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation, said: “This project is about preserving an important part of British history for future generations. The anchor represents far more than a maritime artefact – it symbolises courage, hope, resilience and the contribution of the Windrush Generation to modern Britain.
“Through this memorial and education programme, we want future generations to better understand the legacy of Windrush and the communities that helped shape contemporary British society.”
The foundation is currently in discussions with government bodies, cultural institutions and community organisations about a permanent location for the memorial, while public fundraising has begun to support the recovery and conservation work.
Donations to support the recovery of the anchor and the wider memorial project can be made here.
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