Maurice’s father came to Hull from Mauritius to study which is where the family’s connection with Africa originates. His family have a long history as seafarers. Maurice’s father was on the seas during WWI and they both became Master Mariners in their time. Maurice describes his time as a sailor with great fondness, giving personal accounts of working in different African countries and being unfortunate enough to be in Nigeria at the flash point that descended into the Biafran War of 1967. He also describes how the decline of Hull’s fishing industry has changed the economic and cultural climate in the city.

This interview was recorded as part of the ‘African Stories – Contemporary Voices’ project. You can read a full transcript of this interview over on the African Stories website by clicking here.