Romford unmarked Second World War graves to be recognised

Unmarked graves where civilian Second World War casualties were laid to rest will be recognised at a memorial dedication next month.

The area in Romford Cemetery, Crow Lane, known to many as the Essex Road Graves, includes 24 of the 38 men, women and children who died as a result of a bombing raid on April 19 1941.

The 16 graves in this area were completely unmarked until now. Each one will have a granite surround with a tablet at the foot of the grave with the names and ages of those laid to rest. Two granite benches have also been added to the area.

A memorial to all the civilians killed in Romford and an interpretive board entitled Essex Road Night will also be installed.

The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Linda Trew, will officially dedicate a memorial in the cemetery to all civilian casualties in Romford during the 1939 -1945 conflict.

Cllr Osman Dervish said: “This was a tragic event which will be very familiar to many people in the borough. I am however pleased that we have been able to mark these graves properly so that those laid to rest here can be recognised with the dignity they deserve.”

The dedication will take place on November 4 at 11am. The council would like to hear from anyone who may wish to take part in the dedication ceremony. Call 01708 434433 or email cemeteries@havering.gov.uk.

Read more:

Rain-flooded graves cause change in Romford cemetery arrangements

Thieves have been targeting Havering graves ‘for years’