Most of us have heard of U.S. - based black rights campaigners like Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parkes. Why then, have so few heard of our own Asquith Xavier who fought institutionalised racism on Britain’s railways in the 1960s?

#OTD in 1966 British Rail were forced to end the ‘whites-only’ employment policy that had prevented Dominican railman Asquith Xavier from taking up a promotion at Euston station.

An experienced guard, Asquith had applied to move from London’s Marylebone station to Euston for a promoted post. He was refused on grounds of his colour. Asquith fought and overturned the policy.

In doing so he received several death threats and needed police protection when he was eventually allowed to work at Euston

In racist sentiments that we still hear echoes of today, a BR manager said “staff representatives at Euston were not really anti-colour, so much as pro-white and pro-railwaymen”.
For the fuller story listen to Oona King’s moving documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b07zzr8r