Changing Faces of St Marylebone

Ekpenyon was a Nigerian headmaster who came to the United Kingdom in 1928 to study law. When World War II broke out in 1939 he was too old to enlist so instead became an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Warden.

He was the only known black Warden. Ekpenyon became a senior ARP Warden in D Section of the St Marylebone Borough Council Civil Defence Volunteer Unit, in charge of enforcing the blackout, keeping order in public air raid shelters and helping people to safety. London was bombed incessantly during the Blitz and Marylebone High Street alone was hit by 53 bombs. Not only was the parish church’s roof severely damaged but its stained glass windows were also blown to smithereens.

Ekpenyon wrote a memoir of his wartime experience and described how some residents saw his black skin as a lucky omen. He also noted the casual racism that he encountered, and an incident where foreign nationals were being prevented from entering an air raid shelter until he intervened.

During the war Ekpenyon wrote and narrated a BBC Radio series, Calling West Africa, that aimed to demonstrate the Empire’s commitment to the fight against fascism. After the war, Ekpenyon couldn’t afford to continue his law studies, so took a job as a postman to support his family.