Lilian Bader

Lilian bader

Lilian Bader (née Bailey) was one of the first Black women to join the British armed forces.

Leading Aircraftwoman

biography

a performance by kat francois

Bio performance

Lilian Bader

"My casting out from the convent walls was delayed. I was half West Indian, and nobody, not even the priests, dare risk ridicule by employing me."

1918

1927

1943

Born in Liverpool

Orphaned

Married Ramsey Bader, a tank driver.

In 2018, the Voice newspaper listed Lilian Bader amongst 8 Black women who have contributed to the development of Britain.

BIO Performance

This performance by the artist Kat Francois was specially commissioned by IWM to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush. It gives Kat's response to the extraordinary lives of real people.