Britain Invades

19th March 1969

As Britain tried to divest itself of it's empire in the Caribbean and its colonies there looked forward to independence not everything ran according to plan. As part of this process Britain formed "Associated States" which were a half-way house between a colony and an independent state. The Anguillians felt they would receive nothing out of this arrangement and so "Rebelled" against the Administration in St. Kitts (and ultimately Britain). As a result Britain had to deal with an island that did not want to become independent!

A British paratrooper searches two Anguillans soon after the invasion begins. British armed forces remained on the island until 14th September 1971.

An unusual use of the main armament aboard HMS Minerva. British forces give a conducted tour of the ship for the benefit of some of the younger Anguillans.

After the paratroopers came 50 Metropolitan Police Officers to keep law and order. Even under such trying conditions the force manage to keep at least one symbol of their authority.

Royal Engineers were also sent to Anguilla and were used to build schools, pave roads, start an electrification programme and study the water table. In other words putting right some of the 300 years of British colonial neglect.

The Anguillians had finally got what they wanted.