An interesting topic researched by High Wood which shows the call to arms to defend the British Empire was not only confined to the Dominions of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa. Two brothers of Jamaican heritage who joined the Royal Field Artillery made the ultimate sacrifice.

Both were killed whilst serving with the Trench Mortar Batteries of the Royal Field Artillery.

Source: Black officer, Royal Field Artillery, KiA 1916.

Sons of George and Mary E. Bemand, of St. Michael's Villa, 1, Bow St., Kingston, Jamaica.

2/Lt G.E.K. Bemand

CWGC 2/Lt Bemand

Died 26th December 1917 aged 25

"Y" 5th T.M. Bty. RFA

Gunner H.L. Bemand

CWGC Gnr HL Bemand

Died 7th June 1917 aged 19

"X" 8th T.M. Bty. RFA

Thanks to High Wood and all contributors for the information:

Source: Black officer, Royal Field Artillery, KiA 1916.

I have searched for evidence that this particular officer's name is widely known but so far I have not seen him mentioned in relation to his colour. If the officer is widely known then please forgive me for raising the topic. However, I think it is possible that he received his commission before Walter Tull and may be one of the first black officers to have seen action with the British Army during the Great War.

2nd Lieutenant George Edward Kingsley Bemand was born on the 19th March, 1892 and was educated at Dulwich College and on leaving went up to University College London to study engineering. He joined the London University Officers Training Corps and obtained a temporary commission in the Royal Field Artillery in May 1915. After completing his training at Grantham and Salisbury Plain he proceeded to France in November 1915, being attached to the Ammunition Column of the 148th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. In October 1916, he transferred to "Y 5" Trench Mortar Battery, 5th Division and was killed by a shell on 26th December, 1916. He is buried at the British Cemetery at Le Touret, near Bethune. Dulwich College Roll of Honour: page 18.

Unremarkable in itself so far particularly as his CWGC entry gives no details of his family.

However, the Dulwich College Roll of honour all lists a Gunner Harold Leslie Bemand, Royal Field Artillery who was also killed in action on 7th June 1917. He is recorded as being the younger brother of G. E. K. Bemand.

What is interesting is that Harold Leslie Bemand's CWGC entry does give next of kin details.

BEMAND, HAROLD LESLIE

Initials: H L

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Gunner

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

Unit Text: "X" 8th T.M. Bty.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 07/06/1917

Service No: 107838

Additional information: Son of George and Mary E. Bemand, of St. Michael's Villa, 1, Bow St., Kingston, Jamaica.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Enclosure No.2 I. F. 15.

Cemetery: BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY

Both men are pictured in the Dulwich College Roll of Honour; they are possibly of mixed race but there is no doubt that George Edward Kingsley Bemand can be added to the list of Black British Officers who served during the Great War.