Event    From 13/8/1977  To 13/8/1977

Battle of Lewisham

In the mid 1970s, New Cross and surrounding areas became the focus of racist activity by neo-Nazis and the National Front (NF). This culminated in an attempted march by 500 members of the NF. Various counter-demonstrations led to violent clashes. 5,000 police officers were involved and 56 were injured. 214 people were arrested, and later disturbances in Lewisham, saw the first use of police riot shields in Britain.

The 2019 film White Riot contains extensive footage of the events that day.

This event took place almost exactly 83 years after the similar anti-fascist protest at Cable Street.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Battle of Lewisham

Commemorated ati

Battle of Lewisham - mural

Gold has "The mural was created through a collaboration between local communi...

Read More

Battle of Lewisham - Plaque

Remembering the Battle of Lewisham. Thousands united here against racism and ...

Read More

Other Subjects

George Joseph Levy, MBE

George Joseph Levy, MBE

George Joseph Levy was born on 25 May 1927, the younger of the two children of Percy Philip Levy (1892-1964) and Maude Agnes Levy née Simmons (1900-1991). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarte...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
William H. Morgan, OBE

William H. Morgan, OBE

Assistant Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade, Metropolitan Corps, 1887-1923. Officer in the Order of St John.

Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Herbert Gladstone

Herbert Gladstone

Gladstone was born in Downing Street, the youngest son of William, who was Chancellor at the time. Home Secretary for 5 years and then Governor-General of South Africa for another 5. Died at his ho...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Lois Janet Peltz

Lois Janet Peltz

Born as Lois Janet Lipkin in July 1936, the daughter of Herbert Hyman Lipkin (1901-1975) and Sadie Lipkin née Clein (1908-1961). Her birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1936 in the Wallasey ...

Person, Art, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Tom Goodway

Tom Goodway

Poplar councillor imprisoned during the 1921 rates protest.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Silver Thimble Fund

Silver Thimble Fund

Miss {Elizabeth} H. E. Hope-Clarke of Wimbledon, inspired by her own damaged silver thimble, started collecting damaged or unwanted thimbles and other trinkets to contribute to the war effort.  She...

Group, Benefactor

2 memorials
Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore

Bengali poet and philosopher. First non-European Nobel Laureate. Born into a large, rich, assimilated family which had made its fortune from the East India Company.  He read law at University Colle...

Person, Poetry, Bengal, India

3 memorials
The Clapham Society

The Clapham Society

A society founded with the aim of improving the quality of life in Clapham and to strengthen its identity and sense of community. Initiated a Green Plaque Scheme in 2011 to commemorate interesting...

Group, Community / Clubs, History

7 memorials
Goldsmiths College

Goldsmiths College

Founded as Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. In 2006 it became Goldsmiths, University of London. Its range of departments includes Art, Design ...

Building, Education

1 memorial