- National Firefighters Memorial
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The National Firefighters Memorial
The National Firefighters Memorial is a group of three bronze figures depicting firefighters in action at the height of the Blitz. It is located on the new Jubilee Walkway to the south of St. Paul's Cathedral and is approachable from the south bank of the Thames via the new Millennium Pedestrian Bridge in London, England.
The Memorial, originally the concept of Cyril Demarne OBE, was commissioned by The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust set up in 1990. It was sculpted by John W Mills.
The monument was first a tribute to those men and women who fought so gallantly against fire on the streets of London during the Blitz, when the capital was struck by bombs on 57 consecutive nights in a sustained campaign of bombing that was to strike terror into the hearts of the population. It also served as a monument to commemorate the service of firefighters throughout the Second World War. It was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on May 4, 1991.
It was decided in 1998 to make the Blitz memorial into a national monument that would commemorate the lives of all firefighters throughout the United Kingdom who have lost their lives during active duty. The Memorial was moved from its original site in Old Change Court and the plinth elevated by a little over one metre and the names of all those killed in peacetime were added.
The Princess Royal Patron of the Firefighters' Memorial Charitable Trust, attended a service and ceremony of rededication on September 16, 2003. A total of some 1,192 names were added in bronze to the Memorial.
A Service of Remembrance is held at the memorial annually on the Sunday closest to September 7 the anniversary of the outbreak of the blitz.
Gallery
External links
- The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust
- The Princess Royal attends the rededication ceremony
- Memorial on original site.
- London Fire Brigade Museum
- Museum of London recording of Cyril Demarne recalling VE Day.
- London Fire Brigade Museum to record Blitz Firefighters' memories.
- Memorial Construction on John W Mills website
Categories:- Buildings and structures in the City of London
- Monuments and memorials in London
- Visitor attractions in the City of London
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