Monument | War dead | WW1

Baker Street war memorial

Inscription

The men from the service of the Metropolitan Railway Company whose names are inscribed below were among those who, at the call of King and country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.
Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten.
{Below are 2 columns of 68 names each, in alphabetic sequence, with one more at the end in the centre. See the Subjects Commemorated for the names. 'Arthur Lewis' does appear twice. Following the list is:}
1914 - 1918
Erected by the directors, officers and staff of the railway.

Made of Carrara marble. The list of names is contained within an arch composed of fluted Ionic columns supporting an allegorical statue group depicting a lion overcoming a serpent. It was designed by C.W. Clark and unveiled by Sir Clarendon Hyde, the deputy chairman, on 11 November 1920.

2019: Via Facebook Keith Scholey told us that the London Metropolitan Archives hold a Roll of Honour which gives the full name, occupation, rank and regiment, and date of death of all these men. Many thanks Keith.

Site: Baker Street war memorial (2 memorials)

NW1, Baker Street Station

This site can be found at the east bound Circle Line platform. To the right of the monument there is an unusual charity collecting box made of a war-time shell. There is a slot for coins in the top and a brass shield on the front, inscribed: "12 inch high explosive shell, presented by Messrs Vicers Ltd, Barrrow Works. Donations to the Railway Benevolent Institution for Disabled & Distressed Railwaymen, Widows & Orphans."

We thank our colleague Alan Patient for spotting the red plaque in 2018 and sending us the photos. Note that, prior to the arrival of this plaque, the white wall used to be terracotta tiles but was presumably painted so that the red plaque would stand out.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Baker Street war memorial

Subjects commemorated i

World War 1

We'd always assumed that this war was known as the Great War until WW2 came a...

Read More

Metropolitan Railway Company

This was the world's first underground passenger railway which opened from Pa...

Read More

Show all 139

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Baker Street war memorial

Created by i

Metropolitan Railway Company

This was the world's first underground passenger railway which opened from Pa...

Read More

Charles Walter Clark

Architect. Chief architect for the Metropolitan Railway Company, designing 25...

Read More

Sir Clarendon Hyde

Sir Clarendon Hyde, the deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Railway Company i...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Baker Street war memorial

Also at this site i

First underground railway - red plaque

First underground railway - red plaque

Metropolitan Railway The world's first underground railway opened from Paddin...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Islington war shrine

Islington war shrine

N1, Islington Green

We believe Higham funded this temporary memorial, rather than just putting in an appearance at the unveiling.

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
African and Caribbean Armed Forces

African and Caribbean Armed Forces

SW2, Effra Road, Windrush Square

Unveiled on Windrush Day. A very simple design, we think the horizontal obelisk may represent the fallen.

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Leyton war memorial

Leyton war memorial

E10, Buckingham Road, Coronation Gardens

When we visited the location, the Cornwell plaque was obscured by wreaths and soil, so we couldn't get a photograph. The inscription has ...

War dead | WW1
9 subjects commemorated
Woolwich Army Ordnance Department war memorial

Woolwich Army Ordnance Department war memorial

SE18, Carriage Street, 37

{Beneath the Board of Ordnance badge with the motto 'Sua Tela Tonanti' (To the warrior his arms), and between two soldiers with bowed hea...

War dead | WW1
67 subjects commemorated
Bromley by Bow war memorial

Bromley by Bow war memorial

E3, St Leonard's Street, Bob's Park / Bromley Recreation Ground

This lead inlay lettering is in remarkably good condition so we think it has recently been renewed. Sadly already one letter has gone mi...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator