The HMT Empire Windrush first docked in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who answered Britain’s call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

Essential services such as the fledgling NHS and London Transport were short of staff and desperately needed the help that was aboard that ship – people searching for a better life than that back home.

The day was first remembered in 2018 and on June 22nd 2022, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station in London.

The day was also the first time that the late Queen Elizabeth II marked the ocassion; in a written message, the monarch said she hoped the statue – of a man, woman and child in their Sunday best standing on top of suitcases – will inspire present and future generations.

Events in 2023 are taking place across the country including in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Bradford, Bristol, Ipswich, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

The Windrush flag is being raised in more than 200 locations including at the Houses of Parliament and the Home Office; all Network Rail stations; more than 20 hospitals and NHS sites; around 50 local authorities; and at dozens of churches, schools, universities, theatres and community organisations.

The King is attending a service in Windsor for young people, while a separate thanksgiving service will be held at Southwark Cathedral.

READ MORE: The West Indian passengers who arrived at Tilbury Dock on Empire Windrush

A day-long programme of events is taking place at the Port of Tilbury in Essex, where Windrush first arrived – including a dawn chorus performed by schoolchildren and a steel pan band welcoming 100 NHS workers and 100 people with Windrush connections who are due to arrive by Thames Clipper in the afternoon.

The Royal Mint has released a new commemorative 50p coin marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival in the UK of passengers on the Empire Windrush ship, designed by artist Valda Jackson, who was born in St Thomas, Jamaica and moved to England in 1964.