Many thanks to Cllr Mary Mills for contributing this photo of the dedication of the gas works war memorial in 1925. Mary adds: “The memorial is almost the only thing which has survived from the gas works (apart from the holder!) and stands in John Harrison Way”
Thanks to Cllr Mary for providing the photo. I’ve looked at the memoral in Central Park at John Harrison Way a number of times. A whole world gone completly by except for this stone.
Thanks Inkster – the stone was largely saved due to the efforts of Kay Murch – who died soon after it was put in place. Kay had started work in the gas works offices as a school leaver – and stayed to be the last employee on site and then went on to become English Partnerships site manager. She was absolutely determined to save something. Incidentally I have a note from West Ham based Eastside Community History who are setting up a South Metropolitan Gas Company reminisence day. They would love to hear from ex gas works staff. Contact me for details.
More information about the memorial that Cllr Mary and I have been writing about can be found here.
http://www.roll-of-honour.com/London/GreenwichSouthMetGasWorkersWW2.html