Nationwide — During World War II, when a white U.S. military police colonel ordered a British village to bar Black American soldiers from its pubs, local residents pushed back. Pub windows soon displayed handmade signs: “Black Soldiers Only.”
The act of solidarity infuriated white MPs. In the confrontation that followed, three unarmed Black soldiers were shot in the back and killed. Thirty-five were court-martialed. No whites were prosecuted. The US military made every effort to hide any public evidence of the event.
The largely forgotten episode is the subject of Colourblind (MJB Imprints, 2026), a forthcoming historical novel by Michael J. Barrington, based on documented wartime accounts.
“The story resonates strongly today, as conversations about race, military service, and historical memory continue to shape public discourse,” Barrington said. “Colourblind explores how racial divisions followed American troops overseas — and how, in one small English village, ordinary citizens chose dignity over discrimination.”
According to Barrington’s research, many of the Black soldiers involved were later reassigned to frontline operations in Normandy, where some were killed during the Allied invasion. The incident faded from public memory.
Colourblind (release date April 15, 2026) revisits a chapter of World War II history that raises enduring questions about justice, sacrifice, and who gets remembered.
About the Author
Michael J. Barrington is a British-born former Roman Catholic priest who spent eleven years as a missionary in Africa. He is the author of thirteen novels, including Let the Peacock Sing, set during the French Resistance. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and two African dialects, Barrington is a frequent international speaker on humanitarian and historical topics.
For media inquiries, film adaptation ideas, or to request an advance copy of Colourblind, contact:
Bruce Lewis
Publicist, MJB Imprints
blewis16@me.com
707-813-1197