Trooper Michael Cipriani – a ‘Coloured’ Trinidadian in the Life Guards during the First World War

By John D Ellis

Michael Cipriani was born at Port of Spain, Trinidad c.1890-1891. He was the son of Jules la Rose and Louise (Luise) Ultima Cipriani (neé La Tour). The Ciprianis were a prominent Trinidadian family originally from Corsica. Michael Cipriani and his siblings were of ‘mixed heritage’.^[1]caribbeanhistoryarchives.blogspot.com/2011/08/ciprianis-family-at-heart-of-country.html He excelled both in academia (he was a solicitor) and athletically (he was a cyclist, footballer and represented Trinidad and Tobago at cricket) earning him the nickname “Marvellous Mikey”.

In October 1914 the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago) reported that ten patriotic volunteers were leaving Trinidad on the RMS Oratava to enlist in England.^[2]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 24 October 1914. findmypast.co.uk Amongst the contingent was “Mikey” Cipriani (a Percy Scott was also mentioned who was later to serve alongside him). Disembarking at London on 14^th November 1914, he gave his contact address as the village of Mayfield, Sussex.^[3]Britain and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960. The National Archives (TNA) BT 26/595/67. findmypast.co.uk The cost of his passage to London was reimbursed in 1919 when he was awaiting a … Continue reading He enlisted in the 2^nd Life Guards at Windsor on 13^th November 1914 giving his age as 24 years and 4 days (making his date of birth 9^th November 1890), and his occupation as solicitor.^[4]TNA WO 364. findmypast.co.uk He nominated his mother as his next of kin.

Black soldiers had previously served in the Life Guards as enlisted musicians: Private Edward Bennaway of Martinique served between 1802 and 1827.^[5]For Edward Bennaway, who died at Sunbury on Thames in 1842, see: http://www.historycalroots.com/fragments-18th-19th-century/#bennaway Private Joseph Bonnie of St Lucia served between 1802 and 1828.^[6]For Joseph Bonnie, who also served in the Northamptonshire Militia 1798-1802, see: TNA WO 97/2 and WO 120/20. Private Antonio Marton of Pittsburgh, USA served briefly with the regiment in 1814.^[7]For Antonio Martin, who died whilst serving with the Scots Guards at Kensington in 1837 see: http://www.historycalroots.com/fragments-18th-19th-century/#martin Private Peter Mitchell of Martinico was serving in the band in 1804.^[8]For Peter Mitchell (the enlisted name of James Jackson) see: British Press, 8 September 1804. Morning Post, 8 September 1804. London Chronicle, 8 September 1804. findmypast.co.uk Private John Smith of Antigua served with the band between 1814 and 1815.^[9]For John Smith, who also served with the Coldstream Guards (1818-1825) and Grenadier Guards (1825-1840), and who died in Antigua in 1853 … Continue reading Private Joseph Uzabb of Martinique served in the band between 1807 and 1817.^[10]For Joseph Uzabb see: TNA WO 12/6 and WO 25/871.Lincolnshire Echo, 18 April 1933. findmypast.co.uk It is unlikely that this ‘racially defined’ service was remembered by the time Michael Cipriani enlisted. There is no evidence in his records that he ever served in a musical role nor as a batman, steward or cook (frequently racially defined roles for Black Royal Navy ratings). Furthermore, Michael Cipriani’s service means that the press reports in the mid-1990s that Trooper Mark Campbell was the first Black soldier to serve in the Life Guards were incorrect.^[11]In 1996 Mark Campbell was medically discharged, with the BBC reporting that he had faced racist abuse whilst serving. If the report of racial abuse was correct then memories were apparently short – … Continue reading

On enlistment Michael Cipriani was 5/6 and ¼” tall, weighed 10 stones and had good teeth. He had a “Coloured” complexion, black eyes and black hair. He identified as a Roman Catholic. It was noted that he was 3” under height – traditionally the Life Guards (and the Foot Guards) have always recruited taller individuals. Given the number #3238 he served in the rank of Trooper and undertook his basic training at Windsor, where he continued to receive accolades, including this from the Evening News of 31^st March 1915:

Hard Hitting Trooper. Coloured Lifeguardsman knocks out his opponent in one round. (From our special representative. Windsor, Wednesday).

A great boxing tournament took place at Windsor Theatre last night and was taken part in by representatives of thousands of Guards and Territorials now quartered in Windsor and district.

A West Indian, who has only recently arrived in England, and enlisted in the 2nd Life Guards, Trooper Ciparini (sic), gave a remarkable exhibition of boxing in a 10st 7lb competition. He knocked all of his opponents out with sledge-hammer blows in the first round, and the house rose at him. He is the only coloured man in the 2nd Life Guards, and his physique is wonderful.

His unorthodox methods set the spectators in uproar, and they cheered the West Indian again and again.^[12]Evening News, 31 March 1915. findmypast.co.uk

In May 1915 he was posted to France, where he was to serve until March 1919. The 2^nd Life Guards had initially deployed to France in a cavalry role (including an element equipped with machine guns), however, with the onset of trench warfare they were used in a dismounted role. After the arrival of Michael Cipriani the regiment was awarded the following battle honours: Somme 1916 and 1918. Albert 1916. Arras 1917 and 1918. Scarpe 1917. Broodseinde. Poelcappelle. Passchendaele. Bapaume 1918. Hindenburg Line. Epehy. St Quentin Canal. Beaurevoir. Cambrai 1918. Selle.

The people of Trinidad followed the events of the war keenly, and Michael Cipriani appeared in the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), on at least four occasions. Firstly, and from the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 5^th June 1915:

Trinidadians Off to the Front.

Mikey Cipriani among the lot. In a letter to his mother, dated 17 May 1915, he wrote that he “…will be in the firing line in the next two or three hours and would be hearing the shrapnel bursting near his ears”. Additionally, he stated that he was “…feeling happy” and sent “…a message to his family and friends wishing them goodbye as he may not see them again”. The report also added that “Prior to sailing from England Mikey turned the scale at twenty-seven pounds more than his usual weight and he had put on an inch in height. He asserts that we out here cannot imagine the state of affairs in France – in his estimation in the next six months every British subject will have to be called out to serve King and Country”.^[14]Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 5 June 1915. findmypast.co.uk The full article was particularly mocking of Michael Cipriani. However, his prediction that conscription would be needed to fill the … Continue reading

Secondly, and from the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 8^th July 1915:

Letter from ‘Mikey’ Cipriani. Hair breadth escape.

Writing to a friend here Mr Michael Cipriani of the 2nd Life Guards says inter alia: It is impossible for anyone to try and describe what it is like to be in the trenches. I think the Almighty protected me in the trenches for many times I was very near death’s door. One I was struck on my mess tin by a piece of high explosive shell. For four days in the trenches I did not know what was sleep. It was something terrible. While trying to have a rest in one of the dug outs a shell exploded about 25 yards from the dugout and completely buried two chaps who were sleeping near to me and partially buried me. I managed to extricate myself and called out for help and set to work with the spade and succeeded in taking both my comrades out.

After a few hours they recovered – it was not two minutes after this when the part of the trench where myself and Percy Scott were stationed had been blown up. I had several miraculous escapes, in fact, I was simply awaiting my turn to be blown up. We were severely bombarded. The papers here described it as a terrible bombardment, that was the last day we had in the trenches. The Germans after that day’s bombardment attempted a bayonet charge but they did not think that in spite of the bombardment we were ready for them. At about 6pm they came out of their trenches at us. Well, our machine guns and all the others down the trenches opened fire all together and mowed them down like corn. There were altogether 18 of our machine guns on them. Well it did not realise that it was to their detriment to charge when we still had machine guns and men to ward them off. Those that were not killed or badly wounded turned back and ran to their trenches. It was a satisfying night after our bombardment.

Owing to the strictness of the censor Mikey was unable to state the battle in which he participated, but he certainly thinks it is the biggest battle going on at present. The young Trinidadian says that he is not in a hurry to return.^[15]Michael Cipriani may have been referring to the ‘2nd Battle of Ypres’ (April to late May 1915). Trooper Percy J Scott (believed to be Percival Joseph Scott, c.1889-1930, the son of Alderman FE … Continue reading

Thirdly, and from the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 11^th September 1915:

Trinidad Boys at the Front. Some news of them.

The following extract is taken from a letter received here by the mail from Michael Cipriani (3235), 2nd Life Guards:- The greater part of our regiment are up at the trenches at present. Sellier, Robinson and the Bournes are up there. I am with the horses at billet. Things are still hot over here, we will soon be having another enemy in the shape of winter.^[16]It is likely that “Sellier, Robinson and the Bournes” were from Trinidad and that their names would have been known to readers of the Mirror. Although serving in a dismounted role, it is clear … Continue reading

Fourthly, and from the Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 8^th November 1915:

Our champion footballer and cyclist.

News we received recently that Private Michael (Mikey) Cipriani our champion cyclist and famed footballer who is in the western firing line in France, most recently went through the great drive and came out unscathed. Marvellous Mikey’s good luck has not yet deserted him.^[17]The “great drive” might be a reference to the Battle of Loos (September to October 1915). Mirror (Trinidad & Tobago), 8 November 1915. findmypast.co.uk

From March 1916 he was seconded to the 7^th Cavalry Machine Gun Squadron (formed from the machine gun sections of 1^st and 2^nd Life Guards and the 1^st Leicestershire Yeomanry and attached to the 7^th Cavalry Brigade of the 3^rd Cavalry Division). He was to serve with the unit until it disbanded in April 1918 when he returned to the 2^nd Life Guards.

In May 1918 the 2^nd Life Guards were converted to a machine gun role and re-named as ‘No.2 2^nd (Life Guards) Battalion’ of the ‘Guards Machine Gun Regiment’. Michael Cipriani was given the number #4400. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal in July 1918 and then to Acting Corporal in October 1918. (He reverted to the rank of Lance-Corporal upon being admitted to hospital). His promotion was almost certainly due to his extensive experience with machine guns, although his social class and academic and athletic prowess would have also been in his favour. It is also worth noting that his promotions could only have occurred if the regiments’ officers and senior non-commissioned officers believed he was capable of leading men and that those men would have been willing to serve under him. It is to the credit of the Life Guards of 1918 that they saw beyond the ‘colour bar’ that existed at the time.

Michael Cipriani’s records reveal that he caught influenza in 1917 and committed a number of minor misdemeanours, including being absent from barracks (on three occasions – including a trip to the town of Abbeville) and neglecting to obey an order.

He was discharged in April 1919 and resided at 192 Brecknock Road, Tufnell Park, London. (102 Brecknock Road was also referenced – but probably incorrectly). A second address was also given: 32 Beethoven Street, Queen’s Park, London. He returned to Trinidad on the SS Savan (a cargo ship out of Tilbury Docks), with his intended address being 5 Stanmore Lane, Port of Spain.

In 1921 he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.^[18]TNA WO 372/4.

He married Daisy Dewhurst (1897-) and they are believed to have had three children: Harold C Cipriani (1919-). Monica Cipriani (1921-2000). Thomas Michael (known as ‘Michael’ 1922-1944).^[19]Garner Dewhirst Family Tree (Rosygirl162). ancestry.co.uk Michael Cipriani was one of the first Trinidadians to own an aeroplane (with Edmund Lickfold, an RAF veteran), a de Havilland Moth named ‘Humming Bird’.^[20]asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/270790 In June 1934 Michael Cipriani was killed in a flying accident. He was buried at Woodbrook Cemetery, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Reportedly, 15,000 people attended his funeral. His son, Flying Officer Thomas Michael Cipriani, was a Spitfire pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was killed in November 1944 on operations over Holland.^[21]http://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com FO Thomas Michael Cipriani is buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium.