Ever since hearing a BBC story
about it last December, I have been looking forward to visiting this small,
lesser known park in Central London. Opened in 1900, the exhibition
commemorates those who laid down their lives in an attempt to save others. The
founder, George Frederic Watts, believed that this was the noblest cause of
humans and that their sacrifice should be remembered. Each of the monuments are
decorative marble affixed to a brick wall; there is a small awning to protect
the memorials from the elements. One of the interesting aspects of this
memorial is that it does not celebrate those who are most commonly thought of
as heroes by today’s standards (or the Victorian era for that matter). Those
commemorated are working class people who made the ultimate sacrifice. Clearly
this was a political statement at a time of increased liberalization in
Britain. Those who sacrificed their lives are seen as noble at those who are
considered noble. Take for instance:
“Walter Peart (driver) and Harry
Dean (fireman) of the Windsor Express on July 18, 1898, whilst being scalded
& burnt sacrificed their lives in saving the train”
Other markers describe people
drowning while attempting to save others, giving up life vests on a sinking
ship or running into burning buildings to rescue victims. The epitaph left by
Solomon Galaman, the 11-year-old boy who pushed his younger brother from being running
over, “Mother I saved him but I could not save myself” is one of the most
moving.
Postman’s Park itself was opened
in 1880 and was formerly the combined churchyards of thee churches: St. Botolph-without-Aldersgate,
St. Leonard Foster lane and Christ Church Newgate Street. The park got its name
because the postmen from the London Chief Post Office once ate their lunches there.
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