Group    From 1914 

Civilian deaths in London caused by enemy action

Categories: Tragedy

This page brings together all the memorials that we have for civilians killed in London by acts of war, including terrorism. It is related to a very interesting campaign for a Citizens Memorial "to commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of the citizens of London during the Second World War and in subsequent bombings."

In WW2 28,000 civilians were killed in London so the campaign focuses on that war. We've decided to include WW1, indeed it's our chronological start point, else we'd have to include events like the Civil War. We do not include police officers and firefighters - they are categorised as War Dead - non-military.

Given that this country has not been occupied, not even invaded, during the period we are astonished at how many of these memorials we have on our database, and how varied they are. The sheer quantity supports the claim that a single all-encompassing memorial is also needed.

We have read that, 1939 - 1941, more British civilians were killed than soldiers.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Civilian deaths in London caused by enemy action

Commemorated ati

Abbey Road Depot - WW2 ARP members lost

Bill Wallis is described on the plaque as 'ARP Stretcher Bearer'. Which we ta...

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Admiral Duncan - 3 dead

Andrea Dykes, D.O.B. 30-11-1971 John Light, D.O.B. 27-04-1967 Nick Moore, D.O...

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Admiral Duncan memorial

Admiral Duncan Memorial

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Balham Station bombing - 1

In memory of the 64 people killed at this station by a wartime bomb 14th Octo...

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Balham Station bombing - 2

{Beneath the London Transport logo:} In remembrance of the civilians and Lond...

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Show all 109

Other Subjects

Walworth Boy Scouts Tragedy

Walworth Boy Scouts Tragedy

On Saturday the 3rd August 1912, the 2nd Walworth Troop of five adults and twenty-four young scouts sailed from Waterloo Bridge for Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey. They moored at Erith for the nig...

Event, Children, Tragedy

6 memorials
Gulf War

Gulf War

The US, backed by the UN, invaded Iraq in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.  Not to be confused with the Iraq War, March 2003 - December 2011 when the US invaded Iraq again.

Event, Armed Forces, Tragedy

2 memorials
David Peter Redfearn

David Peter Redfearn

David Peter Redfearn was born on 19 November 1949 the eldest of the four children of Frank Peter Redfearn (1927-2014) and Mary J. Redfearn née Cable (1922-2021). His birth was registered in the 4th...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
fire at 423 Hackney Road 1902

fire at 423 Hackney Road 1902

The East London Advertiser, 22 December 2008, published an article on this tragedy where 7 lives were lost, which we summarise here. Alice Denman, 27, and her 6 children lived in the upper floors ...

Event, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Coburg Theatre / Royal Victoria Theatre / Old Vic

Royal Coburg Theatre / Royal Victoria Theatre / Old Vic

This theatre designed by the German architect Rudolphe Cabanel, began life in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre under the patronage of Princess Charlotte of Wales and her husband Prince Leopold of C...

Group, Theatre

7 memorials
Hornsey Central Hospital war memorial - James Morton Anderson

Hornsey Central Hospital war memorial - James Morton Anderson

N8, Park Road, 151, Hornsey Central Health Centre

This stone was unveiled by Mrs Anderson. 1925: The South Ward was erected and the foundation stone was laid by Mrs Anderson. The memoria...

War dead | WW1
1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Beth Holim / Spanish and Portuguese Jewish hospital

Beth Holim / Spanish and Portuguese Jewish hospital

This institution, Beth Holim, originated in Leman Street in 1748, moving to Mile End, the site of what is now Albert Stern House, in 1790.  The site was already in use as a Jewish women’s hospital ...

Group, Medicine

3 memorials
Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Heneage Drummond, VC

Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Heneage Drummond, VC

A lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. On 9/10th May 1918 at Ostend, Belgium, he volunteered for rescue work and was following HMS Vindictive to the harbour when a shell burst on board ...

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
2 memorials
Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers

Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers

The WCSIM promotes the craft of scientific instrument making and the exchange of ideas and information by members and guests through meetings, visits, lectures and social events.

Group, Liveries & Guilds

2 memorials