This blog has been compiled by The Richmond Society to honour the memory of those from Richmond who lost their lives in the two World Wars and more recent conflicts. Through the dedication of our members, including the late Valerie Boyes, David Shaw, and Margaret Walsh, the Society continues to preserve the stories, research, and commemorative projects that ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Every year Richmond remembers those lost their lives in the two World Wars and more recent conflicts on the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day on 11th November.   The Royal British Legion organise a parade of Veterans, young uniformed groups including Army, Air Sea and Police cadets, cubs and scouts. They march from Old Deer Park to the War Memorial in Whittaker Avenue. The Mayor, Deputy Lieutenant, Councillors and local dignitaries wait on the steps of the Old Town Hall for the Clergy and Choir from St Mary Magdalene Church to lead them to the War Memorial for the Annual Service of Remembrance. After the Two Minutes silence at 11am wreaths made by the Poppy Factory are laid by the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant followed by representatives from all the other Services taking part in the parade. The wreath laying in followed by a short service and then the parade marches through the town where the Mayor takes the salute

The square around the War Memorial and Riverside is packed with people of all ages many in the crowd wearing their medals with pride.

There are other services around the town and the Synagogue hold a beautiful service remembering members of their community who lost their lives in war. 
 
The Local History Society and Museum of Richmond have many detailed accounts of Richmond in the two World Wars. Encampments in Richmond Park and a military hospital built for South Africa troops injured in fighting during World War 1 on a large site between Bishop’s Lodge and Conduit Wood, accessed via a new gate at Cambrian Road. Aircraft and munitions factories in Townshend Terrace and Manor Park. World War 1 stories in a project led by Richmond Arts Service. In the Second World War Richmond by then a London suburb suffered 450 bombing attacks and high explosive bombs and landmines were all dropped on the town. The worst incident was in September 1940 when landmines demolished 49 houses in Peldon Avenue, Sheen Road.  

All this and much more information is available at the Local Studies Search Room in the Old Town Hall and Simon Fowler’s book “Richmond at War 1939-1945” published by the Local History Society. We want to remember a project involving Richmond Society member about those who died during World War 1 in a small neighbourhood with a network of roads known as the Alberts

Remembering Richmond’s Fallen

In 1914 this comprised around 400 two up two down artisan cottages and Valerie Boyes a former Chairman of the Museum of Richmond began tracing the names of those who died from the Richmond Roll of Honour and names on the Richmond War Memorial. She found 36. These men served in 22 regiments from the local East Surrey to the Manchester Regiment and the Australia (ANZAC corps). Most were infantrymen but there was also an Able Seaman, a reconnaissance cyclist and cavalry Hussar. The men had left jobs including grocery assistant, bus conductor, postman and butcher. The three youngest who died were just 18 and the oldest 44 married with two children. There were sad stories.   One family lost all three sons, two other families two sons and young widows were left with small children.

The men killed in action or of their wounds were buried close to where they fell or died in France and Belgium and the six who died at home from their injuries are buried in Richmond and East Sheen Cemetery.

There was tremendous interest when Valerie presented her research to the Alberts Community Association enthusiastic discussions on how it could be used to mark the sacrifice of these men during the centenary. Richmond Society members David Shaw and Margaret Walsh worked with Valerie who produced large commemorative poppies with each man’s name and the date they died for displaying in the windows of the houses they once lived in.  

Valerie died in 2020, David last year (2024) and Margaret a few weeks ago (2025). This year as well as remembering those who gave their lives in conflict the Richmond Society will be remembering their friends. Margaret’s Funeral is on 17th November 2025 2pm St Mary Magdalene Church.

You can read a full account of Valerie’s research and the names of those who died at: https://richmondww1.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-alberts-remembrance-project-2/