“Learning about these stories is an essential part of British history.”

30 October 2025

The daughters of Asquith Xavier, the train guard who fought to overturn the Euston “colour bar”, celebrate Black History Month and explain the importance of their father’s legacy. 

During Black History Month, Maria and Sheena Xavier spoke to school children from Milton Keynes about their father Asquith and his campaign for equality.  

In 1966, Asquith successfully fought to reverse the unofficial “colour bar” at Euston, where he was blocked from employment as a guard because of his ethnicity. In 2023, Avanti West Coast named Pendolino 390103 after him to mark his achievement.

The sisters met the students at London Euston and gave an inspiring talk ahead of them taking part in one of Avanti West Coast’s Feel Good Futures trips, which are designed to give young people the chance to find out about careers in rail.

The group then travelled to Wembley depot, where they learnt about the building and maintenance of the train operator’s Pendolino (Class 390) fleet – the session was led in collaboration with Alstom, the train manufacturer.

In addition, to mark Black History Month, events have been organised by Avanti West Coast colleagues at London Euston and Birmingham New Street stations. These events celebrate the operator’s diverse workforce and are now an annual fixture attended by colleagues from across the industry.

Maria: “It’ so important to hold days like these during Black History Month, especially for the younger generation. I think it's vital for them to know the foundation of what people like our dad went through. It may be nearly 60 years ago but his story still relevant in today’s times.

“The talk Avanti arranged for the school children where they learned about our dad’s journey to justice and how it ended up with the introduction of the Race Relations Act really resonated with them.

“They were engaged from the start and they ended up asking us some really great questions. It gets them to think about the challenges they could encounter in the future when they leave education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I used to work in a school, and it’s vital for young people to have that understanding so as they get older, they can build upon it. 

“Learning about these stories is an essential part of British history. Knowledge has power which helps them to speak up in circumstances where they may be being treated unfairly.”

“Our dad would have definitely been there celebrating the rich history of his generation with his colleagues and those young people.”

Sheena: “The events in Euston and Birmingham arranged by Avanti West Coast’s staff during Black History Month also play a big role in appreciating our culture and history. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Food and music play a massive part in all our communities by bringing everyone together. What better way to get people to appreciate each other by getting to try something delicious as well as giving them a chance to socialise and more importantly, learn, in a relaxed setting.

“It’s come a long way since the days of our dad’s campaign and there’s still plenty more work to do all year round, but he would have loved these occasions which are full of joy. Our dad would have definitely been there celebrating the rich history of his generation with his colleagues and those young people.”

You can view the story about the launch of Feel Good Futures here.

You can view the story about naming Pendolino 390103 'Asquith Xavier' here.

Pictures:

Main image - Maria (left) and Sheena (right) are joined by the school children on the Feel Good Futures trip to Wembley depot.

In text:

First image - The Xavier sisters join the school children to stand in front of Pendolino 390103 named after their father, Asquith Xavier in 2023.

Second image - Black History Month celebrations underway at London Euston.

Third image - Kéllé Bryan, guest speaker at Euston's Black History Month event, engages with colleagues during her talk. 

Fourth image - Leon Berry speaks with colleagues at Birmingham New Street's Black History Month event about mental health.

Fifth image - Kelly Burton, Health and Wellbeing Partner, carries out health checks with colleagues at Birmingham New street's event. 

Sixth image - Colleagues at Birmingham New Street enjoy Caribbean food from a local food supplier. 

Seventh image - Managing Director, Andy Mellors (centre) poses with colleagues at the vibrant London Euston event.