The A.F.S. Memorial, Tavistock Square, London
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| 1. AFS Memorial near Tavistock Square, London |
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| 2. Site of the AFS WW2 Memorial, London |
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
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posted by ritsonvaljos at 9:56 pm
6 Comments:
Additional information
Remembering the sacrifice of two WW2 firemen
On the night of 16 - 17 April 1941 two Auxiliary Firemen serving under Station 73 at Euston, London lost their lives as the result of enemy action. The memorial for these two A.F.S. firemen, Stanley Harold Randolph and Harry Richard Skinner can be seen at the junction of Upper Woburn Place and Tavistock Square, London (Photograph No 1 above).
Across the road from the memorial is the headquarters of the British Medical Association (B.M.A. House). The view from in front of B.M.A. House looking towards the memorial, Tavistock Square and the Telecoms Tower in the distance can be seen in Photograph No. 2.
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CWGC citations
Below are the Commonwealth War Graves Commission citations for Stanley Harold Randolph and Harry Richard Skinner:
(a) Stanley Harold Randolph
Name: RANDOLPH, STANLEY HAROLD
Rank: Civilian
Date of Death: 17/04/1941
Age: 35
Regiment/Service: Civilian War Dead
Reporting Authority: ST. PANCRAS, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH (London)
Additional Information:
Fireman, A.F.S.; of 38 Mildmay Road, Islington.
Husband of A. Randolph.
Died at Tavistock Square.
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(b) Harry Richard Skinner
Name: SKINNER, HARRY RICHARD
Rank: Civilian
Date of Death: 17/04/1941
Age: 32
Regiment/Service: Civilian War Dead
Reporting Authority: ST. PANCRAS, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH (London)
Additional Information:
Fireman, A.F.S., of 18 Westbury Avenue, Wood Green, Middlesex.
Son of Louise Skinner, and of the late John William Skinner.
Injured at Costain House, Upper Woburn Place;
Died same day at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital.
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The events of 7 July 2005
Although not directly related to WW2, it should also be mentioned that many years later, on the morning of Thursday 7 July 2005, an even greater loss of life occurred at this very spot. A suicide bomber blew up a double-decker London bus killing 12 passengers and injuring many more, including pedestrians.
Coincidentally, a medical conference was being held at B.M.A House and many of these highly dedicated professionals were able to assist the injured and the dying. Men and women from the fire, police and ambulance services all helped in the aftermath of the bombings, as their forebears had done during WW2.
On the same day as the London bus attack there were three further suicide attacks on London underground trains. The London bombings of 7 July 2005 are are often referred to as "7/7". It was the largest loss of life in London due to bombing since the end of the Second World War.
The explosions took place during a week where London in particular was commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As a mark of respect for those who died, the commemorations were effectively suspended for a day. Then, it was felt that events should continue, as London had done after being bombed during WW2. During a service paying tribute to the role of women during WW2 the Bishop of London led the prayers for the victims of this latest atrocity.
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Dedication
This article is dedicated firstly to the two A.F.S. firemen who died at Tavistock Square in 1941, secondly to all emergency service personnel who lost their lives during WW2 and thirdly all the London victims of "7/7".
May they rest in peace!
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Someone wrote to me telling me of your Blog. My name is Stephanie Maltman and I am part of an organisation called Firemen Remembered www.firemenremembered.co.uk
What we do is to commemorate firemen and women killed in the London region in World War II. So far we have located 21 plaques in places where firemen and women lost their lives in the capital due to enemy action. if you look at the website you can find out more. Thank you for recognising us in this way.
Thank you Stephanie, and keep up the most worthy task that Firemen Remembered is undertaking.
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'Firemen Remembered'
To quote from the home page of the Firemen Remembered website:
"Firemen Remembered is an independent charity dedicated to recording and remembering firemen and firewomen who served in the London Region in World War II and commemorating those who died."
For further information about the Remembrance Group dedicated to WW2 Firemen (and Firewomen!), and where other WW2 memorials for Firemen and women who died in WW2, click on the following link:
Firemen Remembered website
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I have recently come across this information whilst researching my family tree, Harry Skinner was my great uncle and I'm pleased that such a memorial has been put in place. I am looking forward to being able to visit the site in 2015.
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