EARLY in the morning of July 16 1944, the Nazis launched a rocket attack on a peaceful corner of Stroud Green – killing 15 people and injuring 36 more.

The bomb also decimated the nearby Holy Trinity Church in Granville Road.

Such anecdotes are a part of London’s wartime history to which many residents may be oblivious.

But soon a commemorative peace garden will be created on land belonging to the church where Granville Road and Stapleton Hall Road meet.

It will serve as a permanent reminder of the civilian casualties of the Second World War.

The Stroud Green Residents’ Association and the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Father Patrick Henderson, have secured �2,000 from Haringey’s Making A Difference fund to create the garden.

It will be known as The Parish Peace Garden.

Retired university lecturer Joanna Bornat, 66, said: “The message will be one of peace and reconstruction.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who has memories or family stories from this time. This will help create a memorial to civilians who died and to pass on a message of peace and reconstruction to future generations.”

The original Victorian church had to be pulled down in 1960. The existing one now stands on what was the original church hall.

A war memorial stands on the small triangle of land but this was badly damaged in the Great Storm of 1987.

The peace garden will include lavender beds, refurbished walls and an information board telling the story of what happened in that street during the Second World War.

Ms Bornat would like to hear from people who have memories of the social housing later built on the site as well.

She said: “We’re also trying to track down a picture of the war memorial which will feature in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the rededication of Holy Trinity Church in 2011.

“Our aim is to commemorate civilian and combatant casualties during the war as a reminder of what happens in any conflict.”

She added: “We’re under a lot of pressure to get this up and running because of the imminent cuts to the council’s budget.

“We’re going to look at documents at Hornsey Historical Society, Bruce Castle Museum and the Metropolitan Archives about what happened in the post-war era relating to the church and housing.”

Haringey Council’s neighbourhood boss Cllr Nilgun Canver said: “We are delighted to be able to help residents with this peace garden, which will be a fitting tribute to people who have made sacrifices for their community.

“This is one of a number of projects around the borough which not only support local community projects but also help to foster good local community spirit.”

o Anyone who has information they wish to share with Ms Bornat can call her on 020-8340 2514 or email joanna@bornat.me.uk. Remembrance Day services are due to be held across north London today. For pictures and tributes, see www.hamhigh.co.uk or next week’s Ham&High.