Clapham deep-level shelter

This is a photograph of a deep air raid shelter built during World War II. In 1937 the British government passed the Air Raid Precautions Act. After the passing of this act, local authorities were obligated to protect citizens from attacks from the air. Deep shelters were built below tube stations one of which was Clapham South station. This deep shelter was a temporary home for many newly arrived Caribbean migrants who sailed to Britain aboard the SS Empire Windrush. There were 500 passengers aboard this ship, many of whom were ex World War II RAF servicemen. These passengers responded to an advertisement in the Jamaica's Daily Gleaner which offered transport to the UK for £28.10s for anybody who wanted to work in the UK. Britain had been devastated after World War II and called to those in its Caribbean colonies to fill the labour shortage in an effort to rebuild the country. Many of the Windrush generation migrants made invaluable contributions to Britain including numerous nurses who worked across various NHS hospitals.