Across seven seas and thirteen rivers : life stories of pioneer Sylheti settlers in Britain /Caroline Adams

"Ten vividly told life-stories of asian seamen - pioneer settlers to Britain who sailed the world in the merchant fleets of the 1930s. Lured by danger and the promise of fortune these young men left homes in rural Assam for the dockside lodging houses of Calcutta to be recruited as ships crews in the Merchant Navy fleets. Exchanging village life for the swelter and turmoil of the wartime convoys, they sailed to meet discomfort and danger with humour and fortitude. These were pioneers - making new lives on the other side of the world, opening Indian resturants, or working in the post-war factories of the Midlands...bringing wives and families over after half a lifetime apart to Birmingham, Coventry, and London's East End."--Provided by the publisher.