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Postman's Park - HEROES |
The Park Itself
Although I can enjoy pleasant countryside like anyone else, I still find walking around a large city to be more interesting because you never know what unusual places and stories you will find.
London is famous for all it's city centre parks and quite rightly so.
An astonishing 47% of London is "green" including 8 wonderful "Royal" parks where you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Your only concern might be that some keen "jogger", focused on a Coldplay track, might knock you over. He will of course apologise as he disappears in the distance because, as you know, we Brits are always polite....
As well as the large parks, there are numerous small parks for people to take their lunch or read a book. These are often quite hidden and it can be a delight to suddenly find such a "breathing space" in a crowded commercial area.
Given this background, you will not be surprised to learn that I found Postman's Park by complete chance but have returned several times.
Officially opened in 1880, Postman's Park is actually on the site of an old burial ground but don't let that put you off
It's name comes from the fact that it was near to the General Post Office and, presumably, it was expected to become popular with postmen as a place to relax and rest their weary feet.
It is worth a visit mainly because of a very special memorial area which I would think is unique in the world.
Although I can enjoy pleasant countryside like anyone else, I still find walking around a large city to be more interesting because you never know what unusual places and stories you will find.
London is famous for all it's city centre parks and quite rightly so.
An astonishing 47% of London is "green" including 8 wonderful "Royal" parks where you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Your only concern might be that some keen "jogger", focused on a Coldplay track, might knock you over. He will of course apologise as he disappears in the distance because, as you know, we Brits are always polite....
As well as the large parks, there are numerous small parks for people to take their lunch or read a book. These are often quite hidden and it can be a delight to suddenly find such a "breathing space" in a crowded commercial area.
Given this background, you will not be surprised to learn that I found Postman's Park by complete chance but have returned several times.
Officially opened in 1880, Postman's Park is actually on the site of an old burial ground but don't let that put you off
It's name comes from the fact that it was near to the General Post Office and, presumably, it was expected to become popular with postmen as a place to relax and rest their weary feet.
It is worth a visit mainly because of a very special memorial area which I would think is unique in the world.
The wonderfully named "Memorial to Heroic Self" is dedicated to ordinary people who made extraordinary sacrifices, giving their lives for others.
Very few of these heroes became famous and it is extremely unlikely that you will have heard of any of them but their stories are full of courage and a complete disregard for their own safety
George Frederic Watts
Although the memorial contains many incredible stories behind the names, I confess to be more interested in the artist and sculptor who started the whole project.
A few months ago, the world of art celebrated the 200th anniversary of his birth. Despite having been well-known in his own lifetime, with a "career" lasting 60 years ( he was described by critics in New York as " the greatest painter since the old masters"), it is only in recent times that George has again become more appreciated and regarded as a very significant Victorian artist.
He was something of a rebel having dropped out of a formal art education and being someone who refused to follow the popular trend of rather emotional Victorian tastes. I am not qualified to comment much more on his talents but I did read that his most famous work "Hope" was a source of inspiration to Barack Obama when he presented his rousing address to the Democratic Convention in 2004 and, further when Obama produced his manifesto entitled " The Audacity of Hope".
It is clear, even from the limited research I have made, that George was a philosopher and his paintings are often described as "ideas" or even "poems"
It is known that he was interested in destiny as a concept and, in the 1860's, developed the idea of celebrating individual acts of heroism with particular reference to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose bravery could inspire others.
Nearly 30 years later and at the the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, he was still promoting this idea so it looks like this "project" never left his mind. Possibly, it was regarded, by himself, as a potentially more important legacy than any individual work of art.
The actual words he used to express his motivation for a memorial are far more expressive and poetic than I could ever hope to form so here is an extract from a letter he wrote to The Times newspaper
Although the memorial contains many incredible stories behind the names, I confess to be more interested in the artist and sculptor who started the whole project.
A few months ago, the world of art celebrated the 200th anniversary of his birth. Despite having been well-known in his own lifetime, with a "career" lasting 60 years ( he was described by critics in New York as " the greatest painter since the old masters"), it is only in recent times that George has again become more appreciated and regarded as a very significant Victorian artist.
He was something of a rebel having dropped out of a formal art education and being someone who refused to follow the popular trend of rather emotional Victorian tastes. I am not qualified to comment much more on his talents but I did read that his most famous work "Hope" was a source of inspiration to Barack Obama when he presented his rousing address to the Democratic Convention in 2004 and, further when Obama produced his manifesto entitled " The Audacity of Hope".
It is clear, even from the limited research I have made, that George was a philosopher and his paintings are often described as "ideas" or even "poems"
It is known that he was interested in destiny as a concept and, in the 1860's, developed the idea of celebrating individual acts of heroism with particular reference to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and whose bravery could inspire others.
Nearly 30 years later and at the the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, he was still promoting this idea so it looks like this "project" never left his mind. Possibly, it was regarded, by himself, as a potentially more important legacy than any individual work of art.
The actual words he used to express his motivation for a memorial are far more expressive and poetic than I could ever hope to form so here is an extract from a letter he wrote to The Times newspaper
"The character of a nation as a people of great deeds is one, it appears to me, that should not be lost sight of. It must surely be a matter of regret when names worthy to be remembered and stories stimulating and instructive are allowed to be forgotten.
It is not too much to say that the history of Her Majesty's reign would gain a lustre were the nation to erect a monument, say, here in London, to record the names of these likely to be forgotten heroes.
I cannot but believe a general response would be made to such a suggestion, and intelligent consideration and artistic power might combine to make London richer by a work that is beautiful, and our nation richer by a record that is infinitely honourable.
The material prosperity of a nation is not an abiding possession; the deeds of its people are."
It is not too much to say that the history of Her Majesty's reign would gain a lustre were the nation to erect a monument, say, here in London, to record the names of these likely to be forgotten heroes.
I cannot but believe a general response would be made to such a suggestion, and intelligent consideration and artistic power might combine to make London richer by a work that is beautiful, and our nation richer by a record that is infinitely honourable.
The material prosperity of a nation is not an abiding possession; the deeds of its people are."
The Memorial eventually became a reality around 13 years later in 1900, within Postman's Park.
Unfortunately, George was too ill by then to attend the opening but at least he got to see his dream realised.
As of today, 62 lives are recorded on the Memorial
I have just selected 3 stories to report but there are many internet references to all of the heroes, for those who are interested.
There is even an app which I think allows some interaction with the memorial to learn more about those mentioned.
There is also an excellent Kindle book " Heroes of Postman's Park : Heroic Self-Sacrifice in Victorian London" by John Price. You can check on this book here
Unfortunately, George was too ill by then to attend the opening but at least he got to see his dream realised.
As of today, 62 lives are recorded on the Memorial
I have just selected 3 stories to report but there are many internet references to all of the heroes, for those who are interested.
There is even an app which I think allows some interaction with the memorial to learn more about those mentioned.
There is also an excellent Kindle book " Heroes of Postman's Park : Heroic Self-Sacrifice in Victorian London" by John Price. You can check on this book here
Alice Ayres
There is only one candidate to start my selection of those remembered in the Memorial
Mainly, because it was her deeds that particularly inspired George in his pursuit of recognition for ordinary heroes. In fact it was her story that he, specifically, included in the aforementioned letter to The Times
There is only one candidate to start my selection of those remembered in the Memorial
Mainly, because it was her deeds that particularly inspired George in his pursuit of recognition for ordinary heroes. In fact it was her story that he, specifically, included in the aforementioned letter to The Times
Generally speaking, Alice is the most famous of those commemorated and also, probably, received the most recognition at the time of her bravery.
Alice was typical of her class in that she came from a very large family and her short life was surely full of challenges.
Alice was typical of her class in that she came from a very large family and her short life was surely full of challenges.
In 1885, Alice, who was still unmarried at 25, was living with her sister, Mary Ann, her husband, Henry and their 4 children, the eldest being 6 years old.
She was acting as a nursemaid to support her sister who had some history of minor mental issues.
On 24th April 1885, fire broke out, during the night, in the house.
As Henry's oil and paint business was located in the same building, the fire, fed by these inflammable materials, spread quickly and fiercely.
With complete disregard for her own well-being, Alice threw 3 of the children down from an upper floor window where they were caught by bystanders with the help of a mattress which Alice had previously pushed out of the window. Unfortunately, 1 child was badly burned and died later.
As for Alice herself, she was persuaded to jump but fell awkwardly breaking her back amongst other injuries. She died a few days later. There were no other survivors.
She was acclaimed a hero and her funeral was crowded with mourners.
She had a street named after her and many other honours were used to keep her story alive and remember her bravery.
She was acting as a nursemaid to support her sister who had some history of minor mental issues.
On 24th April 1885, fire broke out, during the night, in the house.
As Henry's oil and paint business was located in the same building, the fire, fed by these inflammable materials, spread quickly and fiercely.
With complete disregard for her own well-being, Alice threw 3 of the children down from an upper floor window where they were caught by bystanders with the help of a mattress which Alice had previously pushed out of the window. Unfortunately, 1 child was badly burned and died later.
As for Alice herself, she was persuaded to jump but fell awkwardly breaking her back amongst other injuries. She died a few days later. There were no other survivors.
She was acclaimed a hero and her funeral was crowded with mourners.
She had a street named after her and many other honours were used to keep her story alive and remember her bravery.
In fact, as I was writing this blog page, I realised that her grave and red granite memorial were only a short walk away from where I have been living in London so I was able to visit it to pay my personal respects
When I look at Alice's story, I am not only struck by the bravery but also the quick and clear thinking of Alice.
She must have had very little time to decide what to do and there must have been noise and flames and many distractions.
Still she analysed the situation, realised that she could not assist her sister, brother-in-law and her young nephew. So, she focused on reaching the younger children.
Not only that, she did not panic but she quickly found the best way to give the children a remote chance of survival.
Those watching reported that her manner was calm throughout the ordeal.
A truly remarkable woman.
Not only that, she did not panic but she quickly found the best way to give the children a remote chance of survival.
Those watching reported that her manner was calm throughout the ordeal.
A truly remarkable woman.
Henry James Bristow
Without doubt, one of the first things which a visitor will notice is how young several of the heroes were at the time of their sacrifice. Some plaques don't give exact ages but I believe nearly 20% of them celebrate someone under 17 years old.
So, for my second story, I looked at the case of the youngest person named at the Memorial.
On 30th December 1890, 8-year old Henry was left in charge of his younger sister, Jessie Louisa, aged 3 years.
His mother only intended to be away from the house for an hour and, in those days, it was absolutely normal for young children to be left unattended or even looking after the other members of the family.
The young girl, having reached the age of curiosity and climbing, somehow managed to get on to a chair to examine the dancing lights of a paraffin lamp.
She reached for the lamp and it fell breaking and, unfortunately, spilling the oil which flowed to the open flames of the room's fireplace.
Jessie clothes caught fire and, at this point, she was surely doomed to a horrible death.
But Henry acted quickly and sensibly, by tearing off the burning clothes, dousing her in water and transferring his own clothes to his sister. This action, without question, saved her life.
Sadly, Henry was badly burned and died the same day despite being taken to hospital.
His sister, initially not expected to survive, did so and went on to live a normal life, marrying and having 4 children of her own.
It's absolutely astonishing to me that a 8-year old could be so brave and show such resourcefulness and presence of mind to deal with this sudden and frightening event. At that age, I was still learning how to tie my shoelaces !.
As one newspaper of the time remarked " Most children of eight would have run away screaming when they saw the flames and, indeed, such coolness is not always found in grown-up people"
As a side remark, paraffin lamps similar to that involved in this accident, were really unsafe.
I could not find any statistics for the UK but, in America, at this time, they were responsible for more than 6000 deaths a year. There were also notes to suggest that as much as 40% of all fires ( in New York) were caused by such lamps.
Without doubt, one of the first things which a visitor will notice is how young several of the heroes were at the time of their sacrifice. Some plaques don't give exact ages but I believe nearly 20% of them celebrate someone under 17 years old.
So, for my second story, I looked at the case of the youngest person named at the Memorial.
On 30th December 1890, 8-year old Henry was left in charge of his younger sister, Jessie Louisa, aged 3 years.
His mother only intended to be away from the house for an hour and, in those days, it was absolutely normal for young children to be left unattended or even looking after the other members of the family.
The young girl, having reached the age of curiosity and climbing, somehow managed to get on to a chair to examine the dancing lights of a paraffin lamp.
She reached for the lamp and it fell breaking and, unfortunately, spilling the oil which flowed to the open flames of the room's fireplace.
Jessie clothes caught fire and, at this point, she was surely doomed to a horrible death.
But Henry acted quickly and sensibly, by tearing off the burning clothes, dousing her in water and transferring his own clothes to his sister. This action, without question, saved her life.
Sadly, Henry was badly burned and died the same day despite being taken to hospital.
His sister, initially not expected to survive, did so and went on to live a normal life, marrying and having 4 children of her own.
It's absolutely astonishing to me that a 8-year old could be so brave and show such resourcefulness and presence of mind to deal with this sudden and frightening event. At that age, I was still learning how to tie my shoelaces !.
As one newspaper of the time remarked " Most children of eight would have run away screaming when they saw the flames and, indeed, such coolness is not always found in grown-up people"
As a side remark, paraffin lamps similar to that involved in this accident, were really unsafe.
I could not find any statistics for the UK but, in America, at this time, they were responsible for more than 6000 deaths a year. There were also notes to suggest that as much as 40% of all fires ( in New York) were caused by such lamps.
Edward George Brown Greenoff
I took some interest in the memorial tile for Police Constable Greenoff because I had a vague memory of reading about the disaster which took his life.
It was a tragedy that should not have happened but how many times have we said that in the aftermath of some disaster or other..
It was September 1915 well into the first full year of the inhuman carnage that was World War 1.
I took some interest in the memorial tile for Police Constable Greenoff because I had a vague memory of reading about the disaster which took his life.
It was a tragedy that should not have happened but how many times have we said that in the aftermath of some disaster or other..
It was September 1915 well into the first full year of the inhuman carnage that was World War 1.
Patriotism and Propaganda were everywhere and anyone showing the slightest reluctance to participate in this dreadful conflict was subject to huge pressure to conform
This advertisement was typical of the atmosphere in England shaming those who did not volunteer to fight.
As well as the pressure on individuals, companies and organisations were also expected to "volunteer" their services.
It was in this environment that a decision was made to re-open a closed factory in Silvertown, Essex which had originally been making soda crystals and caustic soda.
The firm was "encouraged" to set up a TNT purifying plant. TNT (Trinitrotoluene) is, of course, an explosive and the purifying process was regarded as particularly dangerous.
Because of this, such plants were normally located some considerable distance from residential areas.
However the Silvertown plant was sitting in a very heavily populated area near to the Royal Docks
Numerous people, especially scientists, spoke against this decision but, in war, nationalism always counts for more than common-sense. Thus the plant commenced activities and those who were well-informed waited for the disaster which was considered to be inevitable.
The firm was "encouraged" to set up a TNT purifying plant. TNT (Trinitrotoluene) is, of course, an explosive and the purifying process was regarded as particularly dangerous.
Because of this, such plants were normally located some considerable distance from residential areas.
However the Silvertown plant was sitting in a very heavily populated area near to the Royal Docks
Numerous people, especially scientists, spoke against this decision but, in war, nationalism always counts for more than common-sense. Thus the plant commenced activities and those who were well-informed waited for the disaster which was considered to be inevitable.
And along it came.....
On 19th January 1917, fire broke out and around 10 minutes later, TNT stocks exploded.
The result was debris thrown in all directions for several miles ( even blowing out windows at the prestigious Savoy Hotel in the centre of London) leaving 73 people dead and more than 500 others injured.
It also destroyed 900 houses and badly damaged 70,000 more...astonishing figures.
Although eventually, everyone knew this was all a tragic accident, there were, at the time, unfounded rumours of sabotage or even a air raid by a German Zeppelin. Basically, as is common in such incidents, people needed someone external to blame.
P.C. Greenoff's bravery took place in that extremely brief time after the fire but before the explosion.
He understood the factory processes well enough to know that the fire would indeed be followed by an explosion but he made no effort to flee the area. Instead he stayed trying to evacuate as many people as possible in that incredibly short window of opportunity.
Not for the first time, in such circumstances, people did not do as they were told and some were blindly ignoring P.C Greenoff in their efforts to see what was happening. Nevertheless his actions unquestionably, saved many lives.
He was caught directly in the TNT explosion and, despite all efforts to save him, he died some days after the event. One of the reasons he failed to recover was because he insisted to direct medical personnel to attend to others before himself.
On 19th January 1917, fire broke out and around 10 minutes later, TNT stocks exploded.
The result was debris thrown in all directions for several miles ( even blowing out windows at the prestigious Savoy Hotel in the centre of London) leaving 73 people dead and more than 500 others injured.
It also destroyed 900 houses and badly damaged 70,000 more...astonishing figures.
Although eventually, everyone knew this was all a tragic accident, there were, at the time, unfounded rumours of sabotage or even a air raid by a German Zeppelin. Basically, as is common in such incidents, people needed someone external to blame.
P.C. Greenoff's bravery took place in that extremely brief time after the fire but before the explosion.
He understood the factory processes well enough to know that the fire would indeed be followed by an explosion but he made no effort to flee the area. Instead he stayed trying to evacuate as many people as possible in that incredibly short window of opportunity.
Not for the first time, in such circumstances, people did not do as they were told and some were blindly ignoring P.C Greenoff in their efforts to see what was happening. Nevertheless his actions unquestionably, saved many lives.
He was caught directly in the TNT explosion and, despite all efforts to save him, he died some days after the event. One of the reasons he failed to recover was because he insisted to direct medical personnel to attend to others before himself.
Closing Remarks
There might be some uncertainty about the motives of George Watts when he campaigned and ultimately succeeded to build this memorial for unknown heroes.
But there is no doubt that he succeeded in creating a unique record of sacrifice by ordinary men, women and children who would otherwise probably be lost to history.
It can be an emotional experience to read the stories especially those involving children but for me I note two things from my time in Postman's Park.
Firstly, that, in most cases, the heroes did not only display bravery and sacrifice but also a degree of what we would call today, crisis management. They did not wastefully throw away their lives in a casual way but, by their actions, directly allowed others to live or a bad situation not to get worse.
Secondly, it made me think of the way we use the term "hero" today. We talk of sportsmen being heroes sometimes even musicians and politicians receive the same accolade in the press. What nonsense....... before any of us use this term without thought, we should read about the people immortalised in this park and what they did. Maybe it will teach us to be less casual with this word.
There might be some uncertainty about the motives of George Watts when he campaigned and ultimately succeeded to build this memorial for unknown heroes.
But there is no doubt that he succeeded in creating a unique record of sacrifice by ordinary men, women and children who would otherwise probably be lost to history.
It can be an emotional experience to read the stories especially those involving children but for me I note two things from my time in Postman's Park.
Firstly, that, in most cases, the heroes did not only display bravery and sacrifice but also a degree of what we would call today, crisis management. They did not wastefully throw away their lives in a casual way but, by their actions, directly allowed others to live or a bad situation not to get worse.
Secondly, it made me think of the way we use the term "hero" today. We talk of sportsmen being heroes sometimes even musicians and politicians receive the same accolade in the press. What nonsense....... before any of us use this term without thought, we should read about the people immortalised in this park and what they did. Maybe it will teach us to be less casual with this word.
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