Members of the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park Heritage team, who are currently busy researching the servicemen commemorated on the War Memorial, are also supporting other like-minded history buffs in the local area.
Bow Church History Day was the perfect opportunity to catch up with people involved in other research projects, share information, discuss avenues to explore and enjoy a sociable cup of tea!
One of the key aspects of the research project is to highlight the fact that all 205 men commemorated on the WW1 plaques had a life beyond that of being a serviceman. The majority, who were old enough, had an occupation in the local community before they joined up which was put on hold when they enlisted. They also left behind family and friends whose everyday life was permanently altered by their absence and subsequent permanent loss. We are hoping to build up a picture of each man’s whole life – even if it was only a tragically short 17 or 18 years.
The Heritage team are going to build as complete a picture of each individual as we possibly can through researching various sources – the London Metropolitan Archive, the National Archive at Kew, Bancroft Road and the wealth of on-line sources which are currently becoming available
The Team is also really hoping the descendants and families of each service man will be able to share any memories or memorabilia that they have with us. It would be wonderful to have picture to put with the names of these men who made the ultimate sacrifice for King and Country.
YOUR CEMETERY NEEDS YOU
Please get in touch if you can help in any way or if you would like to help research one of the 205 names on the War Memorial.