Cyprus Street Memorial
Cyprus Street, Bethnal Green
Across the UK, most of the memorials dedicated to those who perished in WWI were created in an official capacity.
However, right in the heart of London’s East End (Bethnal Green to be precise) on a quiet road called Cyprus Street, there stands a memorial which is somewhat different…
The Cyprus Street Memorial.
As the Great War raged between 1914 and 1918, memorials similar to the one on Cyprus Street became a common sight across Britain; unofficial shrines to local men who had been killed in battle.
Such sanctums were erected on a temporary basis and were later replaced by grand, official memorials in the years following the armistice.
The Cyprus Street plaque was originally paid for by the Duke of Wellington’s Discharged and Demobolised Soldiers and Sailors Benevolent Club; a group who were based at and took their name from a local pub.
After the war, the Cyprus Street memorial was maintained for a special reason: the 26 East End lads named on the plaque represented the highest loss to hit a single London street.
In the 1960s the Cyprus Street memorial was nearly lost for good when the local housing association decided to plonk a modern block of flats on the site.
During the demolition of the house upon which the memorial was located, the plaque was damaged. Thankfully the pieces were rescued and stashed away in a pub for safekeeping.
1960s flat blocks on Cyprus Street- the building on the left marks the original site of the WWI memorial.
Following this callous blow, the local tenants association clubbed together to fund a replica- the version which can be seen today, a short distance from its original location.
Location of the Cyprus Street memorial as it appears today; about 500 ft from the original site.
Today, the Cyprus Street memorial is lovingly maintained by two elderly locals; Ron Sale and Dave Stanley who hope that their work will be taken on when they are no longer around to do so.
View from the Mirror 
What a wonderful little tale. Shall we put our names down to look after it when the present encumbants can no longer do so? Hope you are well Rob. Kindest regards Darren.
Cheers, Darren I’m very well thanks, hope you and your family are too.
So interesting ny grand parents lived at number 11 Cyprus does it still exist? Also great grandmother mrs chalice booth also of 11 Cyprus street, helped to run the mile end mission before during and after the war. Do you have any info? I have tried for years.
Not sure if number 11 still exists as a section of the street is now occupied by modern 1960s blocks. A lot of Cyprus Street remains just as it was though.
My grandfather’s name is on the plaque of Cyprus St. I visited about 10 years ago. My mum, nan & aunt lived st number 88. My grandfather Joseph Thorn(e) died November 1916.
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Thank you so much for sharing that, Jeanette. You must be very proud to see your grandfather’s name on such a moving memorial. Much respect to his legacy and love to your family.
I live in Cyprus Street a few doors along from the memorial. I always show visitors it.
[…] https://blackcablondon.net/2013/11/03/wwi-100-londons-memorials-cyprus-street/ […]
Thank you Ron and Dave for taking care of the Memorial I used to look at from out side my father’s old home at 24, Cyprus Street every time I visited uncle Dan and aunt’s Lizzie, Christinia and cousin Charlotte, not forgetting uncle Charlie aunt Anne and Charlie Boy who lived at 26. Should any follower had a relative serving in the Royal Navy during WW1 at the battle of Jutland log onto http://www.jutland.org.uk
[…] Beggar and divert briefly along the Regents’ Canal . Find the poignant WWI Memorial in Cyprus Street, and then enjoy the park-like Approach Gardens. Be surprised by the green havens of St […]
[…] the biggest loss of life in WW1 from any one London street seemed quite probable to me. [Sources: View from the Mirror and BBC WWI at Home] However some of my further research suggests things are not quite as they […]
Members of my family the Bullards lived at No. 21 for many years before WWII. Seeing the street for the first time on Google maps I was intrigued by the houses all having the same coloured window shutters etc. why is this? A really good looking and unusual street as pristine as it must have been when it was built.
James Bullard