Many African WW2 veterans returned with a sense of pride and commitment to the democratic and human rights movement that they helped create, but were disappointed by the treatment they received afterwards.

6 June was an important day for the democratic world and World War 2 veterans who made democracy possible. However, as the allied forces converged in Normandy, France to commemorate the D-Day landings that led to Hitler's defeat 80 years ago, it appears as if it was a European war rather than a world war where Africans played a significant role.

This year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 25 heads of state and World War 2 veterans from the US, Britain and Canada converged on the beaches of Normandy where French President Emmanuel Macron awarded 11 US WW2 veterans with France's highest order of merit, the Legion of Honour. As he pinned medals on their lapels, he appreciated their memorable roles and said, "You came here to make France a free nation. You're back here today at home, if I may say".

In the usual manner of these celebrations, rarely do you see veterans of colour, particularly African veterans featuring, not least honoured for their contributions. No wonder an army archivist at an army museum in the US strongly believed "there were no black men at D-day". This reflects the trivialisation and marginalisation of the black race...