A pioneering Black British war hero born in Toxteth is to be celebrated with a powerful evening of dance, film and storytelling in Liverpool this Remembrance Day. The special FREE event at The Black-E on Wednesday 11th November will honour the extraordinary life of Lilian Bader, one of the first Black women to serve in Britain’s armed forces.
Following the success of the African Routes: Fair Play 2026 Festival, which brought three days of dance, music, culture and conversation to Liverpool from 6th–8th November, the celebrations are continuing with a very special event that brings the focus firmly back to the city’s own remarkable history. Unknown Soldier: Celebrating Lilian Bader will take place at The Black-E on Great George Street, just a short distance from the Toxteth neighbourhood where Lilian was born more than a century ago.
Presented by Alison Ray Dance Company, the evening will feature an extract from the acclaimed dance production The Unknown Soldier, alongside a film screening and discussion exploring the often-overlooked contributions of Black servicemen and women during the Second World War. It’s set to be a moving and thought-provoking occasion, celebrating a Liverpool woman whose courage, determination and achievements deserve to be remembered.
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FROM TOXTETH TO THE RAF — THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF LILIAN BADER
Born Lilian Mary Bailey on 18th February 1918 at 19 Upper Stanhope Street in Toxteth, Lilian grew up in a Liverpool that was already home to one of Britain’s oldest established Black communities. Her father, Marcus Bailey, was a merchant seaman from Barbados who had served during the First World War, while her mother was British-born with Irish heritage.
Tragedy struck early in Lilian’s life. Orphaned at just nine years old, she was separated from her two brothers and placed in a convent, where she remained until adulthood. Growing up as a mixed-race girl in early 20th-century Britain was far from easy. Lilian faced prejudice and discrimination, particularly when seeking employment, but she refused to let the barriers placed in front of her define her future.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, she was determined to contribute to the war effort. She initially secured a position with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI), only to be dismissed after it was discovered that her father had been born outside the United Kingdom. For many, such discrimination might have been enough to discourage them. But not Lilian.
In March 1941, after learning that the Royal Air Force was accepting recruits of West Indian descent, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She trained as an instrument repairer, a highly skilled technical role that had only recently become accessible to women, and went on to rise to the rank of corporal. At a time when both racism and sexism restricted opportunities, this young woman from Toxteth was breaking barriers and making history.
Her achievements didn’t end with the war. Lilian later returned to education, gaining qualifications through evening classes before earning a history degree from the University of London and becoming a teacher. She passed away in 2015, aged 97, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of service, resilience and determination. Today, her story stands as an important reminder of the contributions made by Black Britons to the country’s history — contributions that have too often been overlooked.
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A POWERFUL PERFORMANCE BRINGING FORGOTTEN HISTORY TO LIFE
At the heart of the Liverpool event is The Unknown Soldier, a dance production created by choreographer Alison Ray, whose work explores the experiences and contributions of Black people during wartime. Created in 2019 and subsequently toured nationally, the production honours historical figures whose stories have not always received the recognition they deserve.
Alongside Liverpool’s Lilian Bader, the work celebrates figures including Trinidadian war hero Ulric Cross, pioneering performer Adelaide Hall and Zambia’s Xaston Khosa. Rather than relying on traditional storytelling alone, the production uses contemporary dance and movement to explore memory, identity, sacrifice and the human experiences behind historical events.
The Liverpool audience will be treated to a special extract performed by Theophilous Alade, Marion Fagbemi and Stanley Duventru-Huret. The performance will be followed by a screening of Black Women in WWII, a film created by Alison Ray and Ben Mouloungui, and a question-and-answer session exploring the production and Ray’s book, The Making of the Unknown Soldier.
Described by The List as “an important production with a solid core of integrity”, the work offers a different perspective on remembrance — one that shines a light on people whose service and sacrifices have not always been prominent in mainstream historical narratives.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE TICKETS TO THE EVENT
A FITTING FINALE TO AFRICAN ROUTES: FAIR PLAY 2026
The special performance follows the African Routes: Fair Play 2026 Festival, which took over The Black-E from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th November. The festival brought together acclaimed dancers, choreographers, academics, artists and community practitioners for a packed programme of workshops, performances, masterclasses and discussions.
Built around the themes of Fairness, Freedom and Friendship, the three-day celebration explored inequality, inclusion, African dance and music, and the power of creativity to connect communities. Highlights included internationally renowned choreographer nora chipaumire, award-winning performer Akeim Toussaint Buck, performances from IRIE! dance theatre and Movement Angol, and contributions from Liverpool-based artists and cultural practitioners.
The festival also explored issues including reparatory justice, access to the arts and the importance of community connections through dance. Now, Unknown Soldier: Celebrating Lilian Bader extends those conversations beyond the festival weekend, bringing the themes of fairness, freedom and recognition into the context of Liverpool’s own wartime history. It’s a fitting continuation of a festival that celebrates cultural identity while encouraging audiences to challenge established narratives and discover new perspectives.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE TICKETS TO THE EVENT
A REMEMBRANCE DAY WITH A DIFFERENCE — AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Taking place on Wednesday 11th November, the evening promises to be much more than a conventional historical presentation. Combining dance, film and conversation, it offers a creative and accessible way for people of all backgrounds to engage with the past and reflect on the importance of recognising those whose stories have been overlooked.
The evening begins with arrivals from 5.30pm, followed by an introduction to Alison Ray, the Unknown Soldier performance extract at 6.10pm, a film screening and a discussion about the work. Most importantly, the event is completely FREE to attend, making it accessible to Liverpool residents, families, history enthusiasts, dance lovers and anyone interested in discovering more about the city’s heritage.
Lilian Bader’s journey from a childhood in Toxteth to becoming a pioneering member of the British armed forces is a story of remarkable courage and perseverance. More than 100 years after her birth, her legacy continues to inspire. This Remembrance Day, Liverpool has an opportunity to celebrate one of its own — and ensure that the story of this extraordinary woman is never forgotten.
Unknown Soldier: Celebrating Lilian Bader – African Routes: Fair Play 2026 / Wednesday 11th November 2026, 5.30pm-8.30pm / The Black-E, 1 Great George Street, Liverpool, L1 5EW
