During the Second World War, some 900 men from Belize (then British Honduras) sailed over 5,000 miles across the North Atlantic to fell timber in the forests of Scotland as part of the United Kingdom's war efforts. On July 25, 2022, the legacy of these Belizean foresters, as well around 6,000 other men from across the Commonwealth, was commemorated with the opening of the Commonwealth Foresters' Memorial at Pollok Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

The perilous 14-day journey of the Belizean foresters to Scotland involved dodging Nazi U-boats and enduring cold temperatures. Once in Scotland, the men of the British Honduran Forestry Unit were assigned to several camps across the country. While carrying out their laborious work, the Belizean foresters experienced harsh weather and very basic living conditions. Additionally, the Belizeans grappled with the racial prejudices and suspicions of the local population.

One of the Belizean foresters was Sam Martinez of Punta Gorda, who arrived to work in the forests of Scotland in 1942. Following the end of the war, he chose to settle in the city of Edinburgh to raise a family and became an active and beloved member of his community. Sam Martinez lived until the age of 106 and passed away in 2016.

Attending the official opening of the Commonwealth Foresters' Memorial was Carol Martinez, the daughter of Sam Martinez, and Yutsil Hoyo Diaz Martinez, his grandson. They were joined by Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment of Scotland, and Jordan Craig, First Secretary at the Belize High Commission in London. The memorial features a plaque commemorating the legacy of Sam Martinez and the Belizean foresters as well as a mix of 100 trees to honour the Commonwealth. The species liquidambar was planted in recognition of Belize, where it can be found.

The Commonwealth Foresters' Memorial is a living tribute to the remarkable commitment and selfless service of the Belizean foresters and others from across the Commonwealth during the Second World War. The memorial further highlights the deep historical connections between Belize and Scotland. Belize commends the efforts of the Scottish Government and the city of Glasgow for its effort to commemorate those previously marginalized by history.

How A Forester Fought A World War

Belizeans have made their mark all over the world.

And while we may think that started in the post-Hattie era a look into the more distant past will almost certainly prove that perception wrong.

And back in 1942 some 900 men from Belize then British Honduras crossed the Atlantic to fell timber in the forests of Scotland as a part of the United Kingdom's war efforts. They were joined by at least 6000 other commonwealth citizens and a few days ago those valiant efforts, long marginalized in the story of the great war, were commemorated with the opening of the Commonwealth Forresters Memorial at Pollock Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

Among the honorees was Belizean Simon "Sam" Martinez who passed away in 2016 but was represented at the ceremony by family. Cherisse Halsall reports on his journey.

Europe was at the height of German control in 1942 when Britain called its colonists to join the war effort.

And for a few Belizean lumberjacks including PG-born Sam Martinez, that meant making the over 5000-mile journey to Scotland.

He went there to serve Queen and colony and to cut timber, a skill he'd have certainly learned in the jungles of Belize.

And this morning we spoke Via Zoom with his daughter, Carol.

Carol Martinez, Honoree's daughter
"He came to Scotland in 1942 and he came here as part of the war effort. They needed more men to come to help the forestry commission so they kind of volunteered for them in Belize, it was the mother country and they came quite happily. I think it was a very brave thing to do because they were coming across during a war it was a world war and it wasn't an easy thing to do so it was a big decision for them and they decided to come in 1942, and they came by ship. It must have been terrifying absolutely terrifying because the U-boats were in the water at the same time. They would have been the first ones to be hit if they had been hit so it was a very scary journey and we heard about it all our lives with my father. he told us about that trip that journey and living in Scotland all our lives."

Simon "Sam" Martinez, Enlisted man/Tree feller
"After 1942 the war came on and the Governor of Belize who was a Scotsman from Aberdeen. He shouted to the people of Belize British Honduras at the time they need men to the forestry unit. 15,000 of us got aboard the ship. And when I arrived we saw the sight of the snow while we were travelling up the Clyde. We heard about the snow, we read about the snow and arriving to the camp it snowed that night, we went to bed, we got up in the morning and we had to go to work, we were right up in the forest the very next day knee deep in snow."

Carol Martinez, Honoree's daughter
"My father used to cook for the camp and they were offered the opportunity to stay in Scotland and they were told you're a British colony, you have the option to stay here."

Simon "Sam" Martinez, Enlisted man/Tree feller
"Harold McMillian paid us a visit because he was the colonial secretary in those days and he said, you boys. If you want to go home, you can go. If you want to stay here this is your country as well as mine because you are all Britishers."

"When I made up my mind to come to this country I made up my mind."

And a whole generation later, Sam's daughter and Grandson were present for the unveiling of a small part of his legacy.

Carol Martinez, Honoree's daughter
"That for me was really emotional and I think it's a wonderful thing. If my father could have been there honestly he would have given the greatest speech. He was really good at giving speeches and he liked recognition. I don't think he had as much recognition as he would have liked but for us, my son who is his grandson who came to live with his grandfather when he was 101. he came to live with him and my son was only 18, Yutsil he learnt a lot from my father so for us it was very emotional and it's wonderful that the Scottish government are recognizing the people that came from the British colonies. I think it was a great ceremony and I'm really proud that the Scottish are doing that."

And for their part, the Belize High Commission in the United Kingdom has expressed their support for Martinez and his fellow foresters stories in a press release that says quote: "The Commonwealth Forresters Memorial is a living tribute to the remarkable commitment and selfless service of the Belizean foresters from across the Commonwealth during the second World War." End quote

The release from the Belize High Commission goes on to characterize the difficulties that Foresters would have faced in Scotland saying, quote: " While carrying out their laborious work the Belizean Foresters experienced harsh labour and very basic living conditions additionally The Belizeans grappled with the racial prejudices and suspicions of the local population." End quote

But if you think Sam was forever exiled from his native Belize, you can rest assured that that wasn't the case.

Sam's daughter Carol Martinez says she was able to travel back to Belize in 1989 and to meet three of her father's siblings. The following year she returned with her dad, so he did see home again after he left Belize in 1941.

Channel 7