Jacaranda Books Says Goodbye To Finding Home Author Alford Gardner

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Alford Dalrymple Gardner (1926 - 2024), RAF Veteran, Princes’ Trust Awardee, Pride of Britain 2023 award-winner and author of his groundbreaking memoir Finding Home: A Windrush Story.

Born in 1926 in Kingston, Jamaica, Alford Gardner first came to England in 1944 to support the war effort, serving in the RAF. After a brief stay back in Jamaica, he decided to return to England to help to rebuild the country. He boarded the HMT Empire Windrush intending to build a life in the country he once called home. Despite a less-than-accommodating welcome back, he persisted and succeeded in forging a better life for his family.

Gardner’s passing at his home on the 1st October 2024, was shared with the Jacaranda team by his son and co-author, Howard Gardner. His passing comes two days before the publication of his memoir in paperback.

At 98 years old, Gardner was one of the last surviving passengers to have arrived from Jamaica to the United Kingdom on the 22nd June 1948 on the Empire Windrush. His passing marks the end of an era for many, while also serving as a reminder of the strides that have been taken by the Windrush generation and those after them in building lives and making home for themselves in the United Kingdom.

Across the last few years, Gardner has been nationally celebrated, with his voice ringing out on radio stations across the country, his face a feature on national broadcast stations, and his portrait, commissioned by King Charles III, to hang in the National Portrait Gallery as part of the ‘Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation’.

Commenting on this portrait commission, Alford’s words, “I’ve had a beautiful life”, perfectly sum up his spirit and outlook on his journey from RAF Engineer to father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather over the course of his life.

On his passing, Valerie Brandes, CEO of Jacaranda Books and editor of his memoir shares: “It is a tremendous honour to have played a small part in sharing Alford Gardner's remarkable journey by publishing his memoir. Through an introduction by Arthur Torrington, I had the privilege of meeting Alford, his son Howard, and the wonderful Gardner family. Alford’s cheeky, indomitable spirit shone brightly, well into his nineties. His loss leaves us bereft, yet deeply honoured that his legacy will endure through his words in both prose and film. My deepest sympathies are with his family during this difficult time.”

Our condolences are with his family and friends. In honour of his memory and spirit, we share with the world the short film created last year to celebrate the release of his memoir. Shot in Leeds, and at his home, we return to this film to remember Alford Gardner’s spirit and celebrate a life well-lived.