A mighty memorial to the dead of WW1 in Canary Wharf

Published on 4th August 2014 by ianVisits in History

Somewhat hidden at the moment, around the back next to a fire exit, can be found a mighty memorial to those who died during the two great wars of the last century.

IMG_7449

These are the memorials to staff of the London Joint City and Midland Bank — today part of HSBC — who joined the military forces in Europe, and never returned.

The memorials had previously been located in Leadenhall Street in the City of London, where the then Midland Bank was headquartered, but when it moved to Canary Wharf, while the monuments came with the bank, they were somewhat relegated to the back of the building.

Although it will always be the back of the bank, it will soon get more prominence as a walkway, as the new Crossrail station is being built next to it, and will have a couple of entrances leading from the railway station to the walkway.

A currently empty footpath will see crowds at last, and some of them may stop to remember the 717 men whose commute to work was unexpectedly cut short.

IMG_7452

IMG_7459

IMG_7465

 

Tagged with Canary Wharf, ww1

SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE

This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles.

It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising.

Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver, every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website, and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts.

If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here.

Thank you

3 Comments on “A mighty memorial to the dead of WW1 in Canary Wharf”

  1. Thanks Ian for publicising these ‘hidden’ war memorials.
    I came upon these by chance after visiting the Crossrail station as part of London Open House.
    I was somewhat incensed that HSBC had relegated these to the rear of the building when presumably they were in the entrance hall of their previous HQ in the City. There is plenty of space in their current entrance hall had they wished to give them a more ‘dignified setting’. Clearly not in their plans. Shameful frankly.

  2. Belfast Bank & Northern Bank were both owned at one time by Midland Bank. Both banks had many men serving in both wars. The war memorials and rolls of honour are also hidden away from the public in a basement corridor of Danske Bank Head Office. My website above hopefully gives those men some recognition. Good luck with your project.

  3. Whilst the setting has certainly improved since the Crossrail work was completed it was perfectly dignified before – peaceful and looking out over water.

    It is also not ignored as the many 100’s of Bank staff who turned out for the commemoration on 11th November 2015 testifies.