'I never heard the word 'racism' as I was just trying to survive'

Bernie Steele is 81 years old and describes himself as a proud British citizen, but there were times in his life when he was told "p*** off back to where you came from."

By 1961, Bernie was 17 years old and actively looking for work. Before he could make a plan of action, the decision was taken out of his hands when his grandmother told him he was leaving for England - something he calls the 'best news I'd ever had'. However, at the time, he says Jamaica had run out of passports so he was given a small piece of paper which allowed him to travel.

If you or a family member have been impacted by the Windrush scandal and would like to share your story, please contact the ECHO on: news@liverpool.com This was certainly true in Bernie's case. He recalls being offered a job in a boarding school near Harrow and it sounded like a good opportunity. However, when he arrived, he was told his job would be to clean the rugby boots of the students. It was something which Bernie could not accept so he refused the offer, walked out and resolved to join the British army.

The intervention of an embassy official - outraged by Bernie's treatment - who managed the administrative process resulted in him receiving a Certificate of Registration as a Citizen of the United Kingdom in 1974.

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