Families honour war heroes at Golders Green Crematorium

By Tim Lamden

Published: 3:03 PM April 9, 2013 Updated: 1:34 PM October 14, 2020

Martin Russell (left) unveiled the plaque with Mayor of Barnet Cllr Brian Schama (right) during a service conducted by Rev Rex Morton (centre), vicar of Golders Green Parish Church. Picture: Polly Hancock. - Credit: Archant

A plaque to commemorate 14 war heroes has been unveiled at Golders Green Crematorium.

Local veterans Fred Harris, Major Paddy O'Brian, and Capt. Peter Messingham at the ceremony. Picture: Polly Hancock. - Credit: Archant

Family members and veterans gathered to honour the late servicemen during a ceremony at the crematorium in Hoop Lane on Sunday (April 7).

The plaque, located adjacent to the Commonwealth War Graves Memorial, depicts the names of 14 Victoria Cross recipients and an engraving of the medal - the nation’s highest award for valour in the face of the enemy.

The names include two Royal Navy officers, 10 Army officers and two non-commissioned Army officers who have been cremated at Golders Green Crematorium since 1915.

While the majority of these servicemen came from the UK, the group also includes men born in Australia, Holland, India and Ireland.

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The decorations, won in 19th century conflicts in India, South Africa, in the Great War and during the Second World War, were awarded between 1891 and 1943.

Martin Russell, deputy lieutenant of Greater London and representative deputy lieutenant for Barnet, who helped to unveil the plaque, said: “It was particularly moving. I think everybody thought it was a ceremony that did justice to the 14 people who we were commemorating.”