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Never noticed this plaque at Euston before. A small, important bit of history.
Apparently, the plaque was unveiled in September last year. Xavier was a real trailblazer. He was an experienced train guard when he arrived in Britain from the West Indies, working at Marylebone. When that station cut back on staff he applied... https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-54272188
...for a job at Euston, only to be rejected as the station ran a whites only recruitment policy for customer facing jobs. His campaign travelled all the way to Barbara Castle’s desk, then SoS for Transport. A year later, British Rail scrapped the policy.
His pay was backdated to the date he applied for the position. His actions contributed to the 1968 strengthening of the Race Relations Act.
Alas apparently wasn’t the end of the story for Xavier. He went on to received death threats and hate mail. https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/omitted-from-history-asquith-xavier/
Alas apparently wasn’t the end of the story for Xavier. He went on to received death threats and hate mail. https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/omitted-from-history-asquith-xavier/
This is recent- 1966 and yet Euston operated a whites only policy. Xavier was clearly a very a brave man.
To my shame I’d never heard of him before now, so thanks @NetworkRailEUS -great example of public buildings expanding and enriching our collective understanding of history.
To my shame I’d never heard of him before now, so thanks @NetworkRailEUS -great example of public buildings expanding and enriching our collective understanding of history.
Lovely video featuring members of Xavier’s family here 
https://twitter.com/networkraileus/status/1317179412849283072
https://twitter.com/networkraileus/status/1317179412849283072
