Lambeth – Blogging while allatsea

The Soviet War Memorial

JA

17/07/2016

Heritage, London Memorials, Military, Outside RSA, United Kingdom, World War 2

This memorial, the only one of its kind in the UK is situated in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, in the London Borough of Southwark, and is adjacent to the Imperial War Museum.

The inscription reads: (First line in Russian)
This Memorial Commemorates
The 27 Million Soviet Citizens &
Service Men and Women Who Died
For the Allied Victory in WW2

Set at an angle is another inscription:

This Memorial was Raised
By Public Inscription in
Great Britain and Russia
(Repeated in Russian) WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

The Memorial was unveiled on 9 May 1999 by the British Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon George Robertson MP, and HE the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Fokine, in the presence of HRH the Duke of Kent.

Links:

http://www.scrss.org.uk/sovietmemorial.htm

http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/18001

Streatham War Memorial

JA

08/03/2015

Cemetery, London Memorials, Military, United Kingdom, World War 1, World War 2

I spotted this memorial on my way to Streatham Park Cemetery one find day in 2013. Unfortunately, it was being refurbished at the time and was surrounded by a fence.

Streatham War Memorial

It was not an unattractive memorial, and was designed Albert Toft in 1921 and unveiled the following year by General Sir Charles Monro, Bart., and the Rt. Revd C.F. Garbett, Lord Bishop of Southwark.

Bronze soldier on the memorial

I was not sure whether I would come past here again, so photographed as best as I could around the fence.

Information signage

A recent addition to the memorial was a plaque which read:
“In honour of
the men and women of Streatham
who gave their lives in the service
of their country in two world wars
1914-1918 and 1939-45
and in other conflicts.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning
we will remember them.
From the people of Streatham 2010.”

Commemorative plaques

The memorial is situated in Streatham Memorial Gardens. Google Earth co-ordinates: 51.423339°, -0.129240°.

Streatham Park Cemetery has a Cross of Sacrifice and a screen wall, as well as numerous CWGC graves in the cemetery. There are 404 identified casualties associated with the cemetery.

Streatham Park Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice

The cemetery is located at Google Earth Co-ordinates: 51.408312°, -0.143051°

Special Operations Executive Memorial in Lambeth

JA

02/03/2014

George Cross, Heritage, London Memorials, Outside RSA, United Kingdom, World War 2

This memorial to the members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) may be found along the South Bank of the Thames, close to the Lambeth Bridge and Lambeth Palace. SOE was set up in 1940 by Winston Churchill and Hugh Dalton to encourage and facilitate espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines. A bust of Violette Szabo by artist Karen Newman, is the centerpiece of the memorial. She was captured and executed in occupied France, and posthumously awarded the George Cross.

Violet Szabo

The Citation in the London Gazette of 17th December, 1946 reads:-

“Madame Szabo volunteered to undertake a particularly dangerous mission in France. She was parachuted into France in April 1944, and undertook the task with enthusiasm. In her execution of the delicate researches entailed she showed great presence of mind and astuteness. She was twice arrested by the German security authorities, but each time managed to get away. Eventually, however, with other members of her group, she was surrounded by the Gestapo in a house in the south-west of France. Resistance appeared hopeless, but Madame Szabo, seizing a Sten gun and as much ammunition as she could carry, barricaded herself in part of the house, and, exchanging shot for shot with the enemy, killed or wounded several of them. By constant movement she avoided being cornered and fought until she dropped exhausted. She was arrested and had to undergo solitary confinement. She was then continuously and atrociously tortured, but never by word or deed gave away any of her aquaintances, or told the enemy anything of value. She was ultimately executed. Madame Szabo gave a magnificent example of courage and steadfastness.”

The unveiling, on 4 October 2009, was performed by the Duke of Wellington. Also featured on the memorial are plaques to the French Resistance, as well as “the Heroes of Telemark” .