Missing Medals: Unearthing Invisible Seafaring Histories of Empire Walk

An inspiring and fascinating walk exploring the arrival of early South Asian seafarers at Royal Victoria Dock and Royal Albert Dock in the London Borough of Newham, led by Asif Shakoor, a direct descendant of a First World War South Asian seafarer 'lascar' لشکر. The walk will explore the themes of death, sickness, disease, arrival, desertion and it will also focus on Seamen's Rests and the Albert Dock Seamen's Hospital during the period of 1855 to 1955. The walk will explore the origins of the word 'lascar' and its early usage to over one thousand years ago.

The walk leader will tell the fascinating story of his seafarer grandfather, Mahomed Gama, and his missing War Medals. The walk is supported by original 200 years old archival material supplied by the South Asian Contribution to Great Britain project.

Asif Shakoor is an independent scholar. He grew up in Manor Park and studied at the University of East London. His grandfather, Mahomed Gama, enlisted in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War and arrived at the Royal Victoria Dock in 1917.

Asif wrote about his search for his grandfather’s missing war medal in Britain at War (January 2018). He is the author of an audio drama script commissioned by Arch 468 Theatre: 'The Mystery of the Missing Medals' (December 2020), about his search for his grandfather's missing war medals. He was invited by the BBC to represent his grandfather at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Rememberance, Royal Albert Hall (November 2018).

Asif is the author of a forthcoming book: 'Unearthing Invisible Seafaring Histories of Empire'. He is an author at Port Towns & Urban Cultures (PTUC) website, University of Portsmouth. He contributed research to the Maritime Archaeology Trust's booklet on BAME seafarers in the First World War. He has presented research at national conferences and local events. He has a long-standing research interest in invisible seafaring histories of Empire, for over one decade. He has worked on a project to digitise Cooks Certificates for Indian seamen at the National Maritime Museum. Asif is Founder of the South Asian Contribution to Great Britain project.

Light refreshments will be provided to participants at the end of the walk.