Memorial in Tower Hamlets Cemetery to the people of Poplar killed in air raids

Image: © Marathon Taken: 26 Feb 2014

Tower Hamlets Cemetery was built by the Victorians as a model necropolis in 1841. It was one of "The Magnificent Seven" cemeteries opened around that time to relieve pressure on London's overcrowded churchyards. The other six were Abney Park, Highgate, Kensal Green, Brompton, Norwood and Nunhead. It was consecrated on 4th September 1841, the date that the first interment was made. Tower Hamlets was initially a financial success and by 1889 some 250,000 bodies had been buried, the vast majority in common graves. Over the next 75 years the cemetery faced the same problem as many other Victorian cemeteries of increasing cost of maintenance coupled with reduced income from burials. Burials at Tower Hamlets ceased in 1966. This is the only sizeable, established woodland in the Borough of Tower Hamlets. Over the last 25 years it has been developed as a cemetery park and now makes a fine nature reserve which is popular with local people. This memorial is next to the path along the eastern side of the Cemetery. It says "THIS GARDEN COMMEMORATES THE LIVES OF 190 PEOPLE OF POPLAR WHO WERE AMONG THOSE KILLED IN AIR RAIDS IN THIS BOROUGH DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945 AND WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS REST IN THIS PLACE". Its setting can be seen at http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3869016

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