There are many war memorials in and around Brixton. To most people, “war memorial” means a memorial to the dead of the First or Second World Wars. Indeed, most of the local memorials fit into this category. However, there are memorials to those who suffered in other conflicts and we are trying to include all of those as well.
Some memorials are in public places for all to see; others are hidden behind closed doors. We will try to include all, with photographs where we can obtain access. We may include some memorials located outside the area which have a particular relevance to Brixton.
We will not be listing the names of those commemorated. In some cases this has been done and is available on other websites. Where that applies, we give a link to the site.
The Imperial War Museum is compiling a national register of war memorials (https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/search). Where we include a memorial which is on their register, we give its reference number.
African and Caribbean
Commemorates: African and Caribbean servicemen and women in both World Wars
Location: Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2 1EF
Access: this is a free-standing memorial on the square and is fully accessible
WM Reference: not yet catalogued
Notes: the memorial was unveiled on 22nd June 2017.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_and_Caribbean_War_Memorial
http://www.acmemorial.com
http://nubianjak.org
Brixton Independent Church
Commemorates: the men of the church who died in the First World War
Location: Our Lady of the Rosary RC Church, Brixton Road, SW9 0DS
Access: the plaque is on the front wall of the church, facing Brixton Road, and is easily accessible
WM Reference: 12123
Notes: the Brixton Independent Church was badly damaged in the Second World War and, after restoration, it reopened in 1953 as the Roman Catholic, Our Lady of the Rosary church.
Brixton Police
Commemorates: Police Officers who were killed in the Second World War. It also records those who received honours in the war.
Location: Brixton Police Station, 367 Brixton Road, SW9 7DD
Access: this is not located in the public area of the police station and is therefore not accessible to the general public.
WM Reference: 61522
Notes: Photograph Bill Linskey with the kind permission of the Borough Commander.
The memorial is installed on the wall of a narrow corridor making it difficult to photograph. This image is a composite of three photos.
Brixton Postmen WW1
Commemorates: Brixton postmen who died or were wounded in the First World War
Location: Royal Mail Delivery Office, Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5DB
Access: this is in a Royal Mail operational building and is therefore not accessible to the general public.
WM Reference: 72527
Notes: Photograph Bill Linskey with the kind permission of the Office Manager.
Brixton Postmen WWII
Commemorates: Brixton postmen who died in the Second World War
Location: Royal Mail Delivery Office, Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5DB
Access: this is in a Royal Mail operational building and is therefore not accessible to the general public.
WM Reference: 72527
Notes: Photograph Bill Linskey with the kind permission of the Office Manager.
Lambeth Citizens
Commemorates: Lambeth citizens killed in aerial bombardment in the Second World War
Location: Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW
Access: this is in the main entrance area of the Town Hall and is publicly accessible whenever the Town Hall is open
WM Reference: not catalogued
Notes: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/places/lambeth-town-hall
Lambeth Municipal Officers
Commemorates: members of Lambeth Municipal Officers Guild who died the First and Second World Wars
Location: Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW
Access: this is in the main entrance area of the Town Hall and is publicly accessible whenever the Town Hall is open
WM Reference: 47893
Notes: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/places/lambeth-town-hall
Lambeth Town Hall War Memorial
Commemorates: Lambeth Borough Council Staff and Employees killed in the First World War
Location: Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW
Access: this is on the outside wall of the Town Hall on Brixton Hill and easily viewed from the public pavement
WM Reference: 47892
Morant Bay Memorial
Commemorates: Jamaican civilians killed or brutalised in the Morant Bay Rebellion
Location: Black Cultural Archives (BCA), Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2 1EF
Access: this is on the outside wall of the Raleigh Hall building of the BCA, at the back of the courtyard. It is fully accessible when the BCA is open; otherwise it is only visible through the closed gates at a little distance.
WM Reference: N/A
Notes: The Morant Bay rebellion began with a protest by Jamaicans against poverty and injustice. The British colonial governor responded by declaring martial law. Very many Jamaicans were killed or injured in the violent suppression that followed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morant_Bay_rebellion
https://blackculturalarchives.org/
St Andrew’s Church War Memorial
Commemorates: Worshippers at St. Andrew’s church killed in the First World War
Location: St. Andrew’s Church, 102 Lingham Street, SW9 0UP
Access: this memorial is inaccessible. It is inside the church which has not been properly maintained resulting in its closure as unsafe.
WM Reference: 62043
Notes: a list of the names on this memorial may be found here:
https://sites.google.com/site/southlambethwarmemorials/st-andrew-s-war-memorial
Sharpeville Memorial
Commemorates: those killed in the Sharpeville massacre
Location: Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2 1EF
Access: this is a free-standing memorial on the square and is fully accessible
WM Reference: N/A
Notes: The Sharpeville massacre followed protests against apartheid pass laws which controlled where black resident could go within South Africa. Police opened fire on protestors.
http://www.blackpast.org/gah/sharpeville-massacre
Soweto Memorial
Commemorates: the 116 children who died in the Soweto uprising.
Location: Max Roach Park, on the corner of St. John’s Crescent and Brixton Road, SW9 7DA
Access: this sculpture is in a public open space and is always accessible
WM Reference: N/A
Notes: The Soweto uprising began with protest by school children against a South African government decree that education could only be carried out in a 50/50 mix of Afrikaans and English. On 16 June 1976, police opened fire on a rally of students.
The two plaques on the plinth of the sculpture (one giving the title and artist; the other the dedication to Soweto) are shown inset and enlarged on the photograph.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soweto_uprising
Wynne Road Delivery Office
Commemorates: the men of the office who died in the First World War
Location: Royal Mail Delivery Office, Wynne Road, SW9 0BD
Access: this is in a Royal Mail operational building and is therefore not accessible to the general public.
WM Reference: 72422
Notes: Photograph Bill Linskey with the kind permission of the Office Manager.