Church of St Botolph without Bishopsgate: London’s First War Memorial

Available for over a year

Throughout World War One, street shrines recognising the service and sacrifice of local people were commonplace through London but the war memorial at the Church of St Botolph without Bishopsgate is widely thought to be the first of its kind. A permanent memorial cross was unveiled in August 1916. It remembers Lord Kitchener who had died in June of that year; teenage sailor Jack Cornwell who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the Battle of Jutland; the officers and men of the Honourable Artillery Company and the “brave dead of Bishopsgate”. The church’s links with the Honourable Artillery Company are strong. St Botolph is home to the HAC’s regimental chapel which commemorates members of the company who died in conflicts from the South African War to Afghanistan. Location: St Botolph without Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3TL